3D Pregnancy Ultrasound!

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Features of 3D Pregnancy Ultrasound

A pregnancy ultrasound is one of the most basic tests that are conducted after initial confirmation of the pregnancy. An ultrasound is conducted at normal intervals for determining the position and growth of the baby. It is generally utilized by the doctors for getting an accurate picture of a mother's pregnancy. Use of 3D pregnancy ultrasound is an extremely useful tool for diagnosis of the fetus in the mother's womb. In some of the countries, a routine ultrasound scanning is performed for identifying the potential defects of the baby before birth.

Researches have indicated that ultrasound scanning is extremely safe for an unborn child while other methods such as radiography are harmful for the fetus as it uses ionizing radiation. In an, a real-time scanner forms a continuous range of images of the fetus on a screen. Sound waves of very high frequency between 3.5 - 7.0 MHz are normally used in this procedure. A transducer is used for releasing these waves, which is kept in touch with the abdomen of the mother and is shifted around for looking at a particular aspect of her uterus.

How an ultrasound is done?

The recurring beams of the ultrasound scan the baby and go back to the transducer. The data obtained from the different reflections recomposes in the form of a picture on display screen. The gender of the child can normally be identified after 15 weeks of pregnancy but it largely depends upon the operators' aptitude and performance of the sonographic machine. Movements like fetal heartbeats and any possible malformations can be identified and essential measurements can also be accurately made based on the pictures displayed upon the monitor screen. 3D pregnancy ultrasound can also be helpful in identifying any structural abnormalities of the fetus.

Is it safe?

Ultrasound of the full bladder is necessary when scanning of the abdomen is performance at an early stage of pregnancy. It is relatively painless, safe and hassle free procedure but there may be uncomfortable sensations due to pressure upon the bladder. The conduction gel is stain free but can feel damp and cold to some extent. Otherwise, there are no harmful effects that can happen due to ultrasound rays.

During the first trimester of a pregnancy, these ultrasounds are conducted for checking the status of the woman's cervix, gestational sac, uterus, embryo and any other deep structures of the pelvic area. The 3D pregnancy ultrasound conducted during the 2nd and 3rd trimester is meant for getting a clear picture of the placenta and the fetus as well as for providing details about growth and position of the baby.

A pregnancy ultrasound is helpful for determining the exact age of the fetus and its status of development in various stages. The ultrasound can reveal if there is more than one fetus, whether there are any problems with the fetus or the placenta's position is accurate or not. Any problem with uterus or any abnormality during pregnancy can be revealed through a pregnancy ultrasound. There are no side effects of these tests and these should be done for ensuring smooth delivery and for making sure that the health of the mother is normal.

By Popsrisuk Posak http://www.3d-4d.com/

What is an Ultrasound?

Ultrasound News

An ultrasound is something like an x-ray. But it uses sound waves rather than radiation to make black-and white pictures from inside the body. A hand-held device called a transducer sends high-frequency sound waves through the body. The sound waves echo off of body structures. A computer converts the echoes into visual images. An ultrasound allows a health care provider to view a pregnant woman's organs and the growing baby.


A trans vaginal ultrasound might be done during the first three months of pregnancy. For this test, the transducer is placed in the vagina. An abdominal ultrasound might be done later in pregnancy. For the abdominal ultrasound, the transducer is placed on the abdomen.

Who is a candidate for the test?An ultrasound is used in women who are pregnant, or who might be pregnant. An ultrasound might be done more than once during a pregnancy, depending on the health of the baby or mother.

A health care provider uses an ultrasound for many reasons, such as to:
- confirm the expected date of a baby's birth- look for size or placement problems with the placenta
- evaluate causes of vaginal bleeding, such as a blighted ovum, which is a fertilized egg that has stopped growing
- rule out ectopic pregnancy, a condition in which the fertilized egg grows outside of the uterus- check for intrauterine growth retardation, which occurs when the baby grows too slowly
- evaluate the volume of amniotic fluid- assess enlarged ovaries- diagnose multiple pregnancies, such as twins or triplets
- rule out molar pregnancy, a situation in which the fetus itself becomes a tumor
- check for problems with the baby, including spina bifida, where the spine fails to close during development, or cleft palate, which is abnormal closure of the lip and roof of the mouth
- determine if the baby is alive and healthy, with good movement, heart function, and placement in the uterus

An ultrasound is used during amniocentesis to determine the baby's position in the womb. In this procedure, a needle is placed through the abdomen to withdraw a sample of the fluid around the baby. It is also used during chorionic villus biopsy. With this test, the doctor takes a sample of the membrane around the baby and womb.

How is the test performed?

An ultrasound is something like the sonar used in ships at sea or by bats. As sound waves bounce off objects or organs, they can show location, size, and shape of the organ. The equipment consists of:
- a transducer, which is a small hand-held device that looks like a microphone
- a screen to view the images that is like a television or computer monitor

Liquid jelly is used on the transducer to help transmit the sound waves. The transducer both sends the sound waves and records the echoes. A computer helps translate the echoes into images. These pictures can be recorded both as video and as still images.

For the test, the woman must lie on her back or side. The lower abdomen is exposed. The transducer is moved across the outside of the abdomen. The ultrasound should take about 20 minutes to complete.

During the first three months, a probe called an endotransducer may be used instead. This probe is placed in the vagina. It can provide better images than the abdominal method in the early stages of pregnancy.

The health care provider may also use a Doppler ultrasound. This special type of ultrasound measures blood flow in the blood vessels. It checks movement in organs. One reason to use a Doppler ultrasound is to check the movement of heart valves.

Written by Adrian Wozniak for www.24medica.com