The factors that determine the quality of ultrasound examination during pregnancy can be examined under 6 main headings:
1- Gestational age: As the gestational age progresses, the information obtained about the baby gradually increases. Especially after the 16th week of pregnancy, both the internal and external organs of the baby can be examined in detail. Structural problems in the baby can be easily recognized after this week. For this reason, a fetal anatomical ultrasound examination, called detailed ultrasound, in which the internal and external organs of the baby are evaluated in detail, can be performed after the 16th week. However, the best time for a detailed ultrasound examination is between 18-22 weeks. Because some organs, especially the baby's heart, can be evaluated more clearly in these weeks.
2- Knowledge and experience of the doctor performing the ultrasound: The theoretical knowledge of the doctor performing the ultrasound on this subject. , practical training and experience in this regard determine the quality of the examination.
3- Quality of the ultrasound device: Since the first years of its use, the technology of ultrasound devices has advanced day by day and the image quality obtained has gradually increased. . Therefore, the higher the quality of the ultrasound device, the more likely it is to detect problems during the examination.
4- Weight of the pregnant woman and previous surgeries: In overweight pregnant women or those with thick subcutaneous fat tissue, especially in the abdominal area. In pregnant women, even if the ultrasound device is good, the quality of the images obtained about the baby may not be very good. There is also a decrease in the image quality obtained with ultrasound in pregnant women who have previously undergone surgery on the lower abdomen (such as cesarean section, ovarian cyst, appendicitis).
5- Mother The position of the baby in the womb, the amount of water in the water bladder, the placement of the placenta: The baby is usually in motion in the womb and its position changes many times during the day. If the baby is sitting cross-legged in the womb or has its legs folded towards the body, and its arms are gathered in front of its body, it is difficult to examine the baby with ultrasound at that time. Babies are quite flexible in the womb and in the first years of their lives. That's why you may see a foot moving around the mouth during an ultrasound examination. baby back to mother If the patient is turned to her stomach, ultrasound examination is again difficult. In such cases, it is necessary to wait for the baby to reach the appropriate position during the examination. Since this period may sometimes take a long time, it may be necessary to let the pregnant woman rest for about 15 minutes and be examined again. In addition, the amount of water in the sac containing the baby also determines the image quality. Water transmits ultrasound waves very well. When the amount of water in the bladder decreases, the image quality decreases and the information to be obtained decreases. The location of the placenta that feeds the baby (the baby's partner) also affects the image quality. If the placenta is located on the front wall of the uterus, it reduces the image quality obtained. The image quality is much better in cases where the placenta is located on the back wall of the uterus.
6- Time allocated to ultrasound during pregnancy examination: The optimal ultrasound examination time is approximately 20 minutes. However, depending on the above variables, this time may be reduced to 10 minutes or up to 1 hour. Very rarely, due to the baby not changing position, the examination may not be completed on the same day and the patient may be called again the next day.
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