Pregnancy Ultrasound
Understanding Prenatal Care and Its Importance
Prenatal care involves the medical attention you receive throughout your pregnancy. During each visit, your healthcare provider monitors both your health and the development of your baby. It’s important to contact your provider and schedule your first prenatal checkup as soon as you learn you’re pregnant, and to attend all follow-up appointments, even if you feel well.
Starting prenatal care early and maintaining regular appointments can contribute to a healthy pregnancy and the birth of a full-term baby. A full-term birth occurs between 39 weeks (one week before your due date) and 40 weeks, 6 days (one week after your due date). Reaching full term allows your baby the necessary time in the womb to grow and develop properly.
It’s important to be open and honest with your provider about personal matters. They need to have a complete understanding of your situation to provide the best care for you and your baby. Your provider will ask questions about you, your partner, and your family history. All the information you share is confidential, meaning it cannot be disclosed to anyone without your consent. Don’t hesitate to discuss sensitive topics, such as if you’re experiencing issues with your partner, or if you smoke, drink alcohol, use drugs, or misuse prescription medications.
What are the Check-ups During Pregnancy?
Pregnancy Check-ups
Prenatal medical care during pregnancy for a healthy mother and baby involves:
Regular check-ups to monitor the well-being of both the expectant mother and the baby (usually monthly until the third trimester, then bi-monthly or bi-weekly as the pregnancy progresses).
- Dating Scan
- NT/ NB Scan
- LEVEL -2 ( Anomaly Scan)
- Fetal Echo ( Cardiac Scan)
- Fetal well being ( Growth scan)
- Scan Reviews
Pregnancy Ultrasound Scan Schedule Summary
Here’s a brief overview of the essential ultrasound scans needed during pregnancy, providing detailed insights into each scan’s purpose, timing, and what to expect throughout the different stages of your pregnancy.
| Trimester | Week | Scan Name | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 6 to 8 | Early Pregnancy or Dating Scan | Confirm the pregnancy, its position, and estimate the baby's age |
| 11 to 13 | NT / ND Scan | Measures Nuchal Translucency, checks for nasal bone, examines the spinal column. Uterine artery doppler is also checked | |
| 2nd | 18 to 20 | Anomaly or TIFFA Scan | Check anatomic structures and find out a defect in the baby and placenta. Most important pregnancy scan |
| 24 to 26 | Cardiac Scan / Fetal Echocardiography | Evaluate structural and functional integrity of fetal heart | |
| 3rd | 28 to 32 | Pregnancy Welfare and Growth Scan | Check the progress of the baby's growth and status of liquor (fluid around the baby) |
| 36 to 40 | Growth Scan. Obstetric Doppler Scan (If needed) | Check baby's growth, position, amount of liquor, and blood flow to the baby |
Which Test is Best for Pregnancy?
- An anomaly scan to detect any abnormalities in the baby.
- An NT scan to assess the risk of chromosomal abnormalities.
- A growth scan to monitor the baby’s growth and development.
Sample Images
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