Fetus Ultrasound

What Is A Fetus Ultrasound For?

Ultrasound has many different applications throughout medicine, but the best known of these in the publics eye's is in obstetrics. Although the very term ultrasound brings images in our minds of small, barely recognizable fetuses, and mothers lying prostrate with the transducer on their bellies, prenatal ultrasound accounts for only about one third of all ultrasounds that are performed! Still, this is certainly the most joyous use of ultrasound.

The taking of a fetus ultrasound is common practice in almost every pregnancy in the United States. The ultrasound is usually taken at the middle point of pregnancy around twenty weeks. It is an important occasion for the doctor to get a closer look at how the fetus is growing and developing as well as the female organs and their situation in the abdomen.

A fetal ultrasound is vitally important in at risk pregnancies or when there is a possible complication or other concerns on the doctor's part. In these cases more than one ultrasound may be called for, and sometimes there will be one during every visit.

In this type of fetus ultrasound, the fetus itself is measured in different places including the head, femur and other parts. Also, the heart is examined and the heart rate is checked for any abnormalities. On the mother's part, the location of the placenta is noted and the levels of amniotic fluid are checked, too. These measurements all can help determine if things are proceeding normally and can give the doctors a more accurate due date, too.

For the parents or parent of the baby, the baby ultrasound is significant not only to determine the health of the baby, but to be able to see their child for the first time! This is extremely exciting. Ultrasound pictures are usually printed out for them to take home and keep in the baby's album. Another much anticipated part of the ultrasound is when the technician takes a look to find out the baby's gender. This exciting news give the parents some direction in their planning and preparing for the baby and makes it easier to start thinking of a name.

On occasions, if it is necessary to do further testing in the pregnancy, amniocentesis might be necessary. If this is the case, fetus ultrasound is performed to show the doctor where to place the needle so it will be safely away from the baby. It can also be used to help in procedures that might need to be performed on a baby en utero, such as removing fluid in the case of hydrocephalus.

It cannot be stressed enough that fetal ultrasound is an extremely important part of obstetrics. It is very important for early detection of potential problems or defects, but mostly it is an occasion for joy for the parents to see their baby and learn more about it in helping them to prepare for the birth. It can be an important part of the bonding experience.

 

Technorati Tags: Ultrasound, Sonography, Fetus Ultrasound

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