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The use of sonography in pregnancy is referred to as obstetric ultrasound. Sonographer scans the fetus with ultrasound beams that are reflected back onto same transductor. The information obtained... |
The use of sonography in pregnancy is referred to as obstetric ultrasound. Sonographer scans the fetus with ultrasound beams that are reflected back onto same transductor. The information obtained from different reflections is recomposed back and pictured on displayed on screen. Sonographer carefully observes all these pictures are and submits report to the consulting doctor. Sonographer’s role in pregnancy is very crucial.
Sonography is also used for confirming pregnancy. Depending on the machine and sonographer’s experience, with common sonography pregnancy can be detected after 4 to 6 weeks. If transvaginal sonography is done, pregnancy can be detected as early as 4 weeks as resolution of this sonography is better. This is how sonographer detects pregnancy.
Once pregnancy is detected, sonography is used to evaluate the fetus, placenta and amniotic fluid during pregnancy. Sonography is a painless procedure. Sonographer explains the whole procedure before the actual sonography. Then sonographer requests you to drink a lot of fluid so procedure can be performed on a full bladder. This enables sonographer to get clear images. In abdominal technique, sonographer coats woman’s abdomen with mineral gel or aqua gel and runs the hand held scanner over her belly. In early stages of pregnancy, sometimes vaginal probe is performed. Sonographer’s role in pregnancy also involves ensuring the safety of the developing fetus as well as the mother.
If a woman is bleeding in early pregnancy stages, sonography can performed to detect fetal movement. If sonographer detects no sign of movement, that could indicate a miscarriage. A sonographer can also identify ovarian cysts and ectopic pregnancy.
Sometime chorionic villus sampling is performed around 9 to 11 weeks into pregnancy for detection of any kind of birth defect in fetus. In this case, sonographer determines the site of placenta from where tissue sample should be obtained.
Some women have an amniocentesis in 11-18 weeks into pregnancy to look for any genetic defects. In such cases, sonography is helpful as sonographer identify amniotic fluid and position of placenta and fetus that without the use of needles.
Sonographer’s role in pregnancy that has high-risk is to help when the doctor needs to induce labor or do a cesarean section. Sonography performed at 16 -25 weeks and reports provided by sonographer’s enables doctor to measure the size of fetus head and gestational age and due date of the baby.