Ultrasound examination

Medical care in prenatal period has its aim in early detection and correction of fetal abnormalities, chronic diseases and fetal death prevention. Under the term prenatal care, modern medicine describes the physician care for pregnant women and their babies. That care aims at prevention and early detection of problems related to fetus’s health.

 

Gynecology divides pregnancy into trimesters. The first trimester lasts for full 15th week of pregnancy, and one should mention that during this period the organs of your baby are developing. At the end of first trimester, when all organs are formed, baby starts growing and getting on weight. The second trimester lasts from 16th-27th week of gestation, and the third lasts from 28th-40th week of pregnancy. Usually, mother-to-be goes to examination bases to the 28th week, and on every three weeks until the 36th week of pregnancy. From the middle of third trimester, examinations should be on every two weeks or more often depending of your medical history and condition, but the decision of the intensity of examinations would be suggested to you from your doctor.

 

The thing that you should bare in mind is that you should consult your gynecologist prior to taking any medication during the pregnancy. Wrong medication it the wrong time could have great consequences on your well being and the health of your baby. For the first time, using ultrasound in obstetrics provides direct information on the condition of fetus and without any risk to the mother and/or the fetus. Modern ultrasound devices with "real time" dynamic high resolution imaging enable detailed examination of morphology of the fetus and measurement of practically all his structures.

 

Detailed visualization of morphology, biometry, and estimation of embryo and fetus growth dynamics, testing of circulation enabled detailed visualization in the structure and function of different organ systems of fetus and make ultrasound method irreplaceable in the struggle for healthy offspring.

Ultrasound examination in pregnancy

Ultrasound examination in pregnancy enables the following:

• Early detection of pregnancy
• Early detection of multiple pregnancy
• Examination of the morphology of the fetus: visualization of the complete structure of the embryo, i.e. fetus
• Biometry of the fetus: biometric parameters reveal progressing of the fetus and symmetry of particular parts of the fetus. Biometric data help to determine not only the existence of reduced or excessive growth, but to define the type of fetal anomalies. Besides the diagnostic, biometrical data are important also for following the dynamics of anomalies, i.e. their further progression, and the effects of the therapy
• Visualize details of the features of the fetus and its dynamics
• Visualize possible heart arrhythmia
• Visualize the size, composition and position of the placenta amnion
• Visualize the volume and quality of amniotic fluid
• Visualize the structure of the umbilical cord
• Examine the quality of the internal uterine neck, cervix
• Biophysical profile: fetal tonus, fetal motions, fetal breathing and reactivity of the cardiovascular system, CTG test and amniotic fluid
• Noninvasive screening of fetal chromosomal abnormalities - test that are done from the blood of the mother in the particular week of pregnancy, that could indicate the risk from eventual chromosomal abnormalities (abnormal genetic material)
• Invasive prenatal diagnostics (as guide in amniocentesis, CVS, cordocentesis etc)

Ultrasound is irreplaceable in determining pathological conditions such as:

• Miscarriage
• Ectopic pregnancy
• Fetal malformations
• Hydrops fetalis (congenital erythroblastosis)

4D Ultrasound

4D Ultrasound is the latest ultrasound technology that provides 3D images in real time. The results are life-like or real time images of the unborn baby or any internal organ. 4D allows physicians to analyze fetal motions and visualize the structures in an unprecedented way so far. Practice has proved that one of the major new features of 4D ultrasonography is discovery of a completely new and up to now unimaginable dimension of intrauterine life.

 

For the first time, physicians and future parents have the opportunity to witness the intensive emotional life of the fetus, months before birth (fetus motions, smiling, frowning, crying, winking, scratching, sucking finger etc.). „Bonding” ultrasound is a quality assigned to the new technology because it provided in a completely new way deepening and enhancing the relation between mothers (parents) and the unborn baby.

 

Positive reactions of parents-to-be to life-like 4D image of their unborn baby were completely unexpected and unforeseeable. 4D ultrasound examination lasts no longer than the standard 2D ultrasound examination and depends on the size (gestation age) and position of the fetus. Usually, the examination lasts from 20 to 40 minutes and no specific preparation is necessary. Application of 4D ultrasound implies no higher risk for the damage of the fetus than the traditional 2D ultrasound. Using 4D in clinical practice is almost unlimited. Ultrasound breast examination, urological ultrasound examination, gastrointestinal ultrasound examination, ultrasound examinations in pediatrics, continual Doppler, color doppler, power doppler, etc.

 

Using 4D ultrasound devices in gynecology and perinatology enables:

• determination of gestation age
• analysis of the growth of fetus
• control of multiple and high risk pregnancies
• detection of fetal abnormalities
• finding out location of the amnion, its morphology and possible abnormalities
• detection of ectopic pregnancies and other abnormalities in pregnancy
• detection of congenital uterine abnormalities
• detection of abnormal bleedings
• Detection of ovarian cysts, ovarian and uterine tumors, etc...