Ultrasounds

Types of Ultrasounds Performed

  • Dating - Performed between 8 and 14 weeks of pregnancy to help estimate your baby’s due date. In early pregnancy, most babies of the same gestational age are about the same size. A dating scan measures your baby and this helps your doctor estimate how long you have been pregnant, and when your baby is due.

  • Early Anatomy (Nuchal Translucency) - This scan is carried out at 11–13+6 weeks pregnancy and assesses the quantity of fluid collecting within the nape of the fetal neck and the presence or absence of the nasal bone. Increased nuchal translucency measurements are associated with chromosomal abnormalities such as genetic conditions (Down syndrome).

  • Cervical Length - Screening test that measures the length of your cervix, typically when you are between 18 and 20 weeks. The best measurement is done with a transvaginal approach, where the ultrasound transducer is placed in the vagina right against the cervix for the most accurate measurement.

  • Ultrasound Guided Procedures - Invasive diagnostic procedures like amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling (CVS) are performed under ultrasound guidance to obtain amniotic fluid and chorionic villi (or placental tissue) respectively to check for certain conditions during the pregnancy.

  • Level II (Anatomy) - Also known as a fetal anatomical survey, is recommended for all pregnant people. It is similar to a standard ultrasound, except it provides more detailed information. The scan will examine your baby’s organs, brain, umbilical cord, sex organs, and more.

  • Fetal Echocardiogram - Examines the heart, the way the valves function, and the way blood flows through the heart. It can also determine how much blood is pumping through the heart and examine the motion of the heart walls. There are numerous different types of echocardiogram, but all are used for monitoring the function and movement of the heart.

  • 3D - Provides a two-dimensional display of three-dimensional data. This type of ultrasound is sometimes used to help health care providers detect facial abnormalities or neural tube defects.

  • Biophysical Profile (BPP) - a test that combines a non-stress test with ultrasound to check the health of the fetus. A nonstress test (NST) measures the fetal heart rate in response to the movements of the fetus. Biophysical profile testing is usually performed in the last trimester of pregnancy.

Ultrasounds Approaches

Transvaginal ultrasound: A wand-like device called a transducer is placed in your vagina to send out sound waves and gather the reflections. Most often during early pregnancy. This type of ultrasound also might be done if a transabdominal ultrasound didn't provide enough information.

Transabdominal ultrasound: A transabdominal fetal ultrasound is done by moving a transducer over your abdomen.

Purpose of Ultrasounds

  • Confirm the pregnancy and its location. Some fetuses develop outside of the uterus, in the fallopian tube. A fetal ultrasound can help your health care provider detect a pregnancy outside of the uterus (ectopic pregnancy).

  • Determine your baby's gestational age. Knowing the baby's age can help your health care provider determine your due date and track various milestones throughout your pregnancy.

  • Confirm the number of babies. If your health care provider suspects a multiple pregnancy, an ultrasound might be done to confirm the number of babies.

  • Evaluate your baby's growth. Your health care provider can use ultrasound to determine whether your baby is growing at a normal rate. Ultrasound can be used to monitor your baby's movement, breathing and heart rate.

  • Study the placenta and amniotic fluid levels. The placenta provides your baby with vital nutrients and oxygen-rich blood. Too much or too little amniotic fluid — the fluid that surrounds the baby in the uterus during pregnancy — or complications with the placenta need special attention. An ultrasound can help evaluate the placenta and amniotic fluid around the baby.

  • Identify birth defects. An ultrasound can help your health care provider screen for some birth defects.

  • Investigate complications. If you're bleeding or having other complications, an ultrasound might help your health care provider determine the cause.

  • Perform other prenatal tests. Your health care provider might use ultrasound to guide needle placement during certain prenatal tests, such as amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling.

  • Determine fetal position before delivery. Most babies are positioned headfirst by the end of the third trimester. That doesn't always happen, though. Ultrasound imaging can confirm the baby's presentation so that your health care provider can discuss options for delivery.

The information above was adapted from articles on the following resources:
CHOP.edu, Northwell.edu, UTSWmed.org, MayoClinic.org, PregnancyBirthBaby.org, DrTonyTan.com, and AdvancedOBGYNassociates.org

Did you know Maternal Fetal Care, PC is the only practice in Stamford, CT that has ultrasound accreditation from both the American College of Radiology and the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine