2nd Level (Advanced / Detailed) Ultrasound
Ultrasound during pregnancy is an important examination tool that allows the baby in the womb to be examined. It is used both in the follow-up of normal (problem-free) pregnancies and in the follow-up of complicated (problematic / problematic) pregnancies and allows early diagnosis of many possible problems with the baby. Therefore, throughout the pregnancy period, at the first detection of pregnancy, between 11-13 weeks of pregnancy (for the double screening test and anatomical examination of the baby), between 18-23 weeks of pregnancy (for detailed anatomical examination of the baby), between 28-32 weeks of pregnancy (for the baby's normal It is beneficial to perform an ultrasound examination at least 5 times, both in the prenatal period (to observe the growth) and in the prenatal period (for the final evaluation of the baby before birth).
When pregnancy is detected for the first time, that is, the first ultrasound examination in the early pregnancy period is indispensable. Because during this period, the definitive diagnosis of pregnancy is made, the pregnancy is inside the uterus (thereby eliminating ectopic pregnancies), observing the baby's heartbeat (determining that the baby is alive), determining the gestational week by measuring the baby's height, and detecting multiple pregnancies such as twins and triplets by determining the number of babies. . Again, at the end of the first three months of pregnancy (at 11-13 weeks), an ultrasound examination is required to allow for a double screening test with the baby's height, nuchal translucency measurement, nasal bone presence, heart valve function with Doppler, and venous Doppler measurement of the baby's veins. If necessary, the baby's head, brain, heart, abdominal internal organs, hands and feet can also be evaluated in early pregnancy periods.
Detailed ultrasound or detailed ultrasound or advanced (second level) ultrasound have the same meaning. In fact, all of these definitions are detailed examinations of all systems and organs of the baby that can be examined with ultrasound. Apart from this, the examination method called 3- or 4-dimensional ultrasound does not have the same meaning as these, but is often thought to be the same among the public.
Detailed ultrasound examination of the baby is performed in 2-dimensional. In addition, 3- and 4-dimensional ultrasound can be used to show the family the baby's face, hands and feet in 4 dimensions in the same examination. detail What is important in ultrasound examination is not whether the ultrasound device is 3 or 4 dimensional, but the detailed ultrasound examination being evaluated by an experienced specialist.
In normal pregnancy follow-up, fetal ultrasound examination is performed between 18-23 weeks of pregnancy. This examination is performed in every pregnancy to investigate the presence of a congenital defect (anomaly) in the baby. If no anomaly is detected, routine pregnancy follow-up continues. However, if an anomaly is detected, the family is informed about this issue and a detailed ultrasound examination of the fetus is performed again by specialist physicians (perinatology specialist) and, if necessary, invasive procedures are performed to investigate the situation.
Detailed ultrasound examination can be performed between 18-23 weeks of pregnancy and the examination is performed. It takes approximately 20-40 minutes. If an evaluation cannot be made due to the baby's position or if there is any doubt, the ultrasound examination is performed again in about a week. However, if no suspicion or risk is detected, it is normally done once during pregnancy and does not need to be done again.
Detailed ultrasound examination examines the baby's head bones, brain, face, spine, inside of the rib cage, heart, abdominal organs, stomach, intestines, Organs that can be examined with ultrasound, such as kidneys, arms and legs (including hands and feet), are examined in detail. In addition, the baby's fluid, placenta (baby's partner) and cervical length are also evaluated. If necessary, the heart is evaluated by fetal echocardiography between 20-22 weeks of pregnancy.
Even if detailed ultrasound examination is performed by the most experienced specialists in the best centers, it can never detect 100% of the anomalies in the baby. Anomalies can be detected in an average of 60-80%. Because some anomalies do not cause symptoms that can be detected on ultrasound, some anomalies may develop in later months after ultrasound. Normally, approximately 2-3% of all pregnancies have major congenital anomalies.
There is no fasting or fullness requirement for ultrasound in pregnant women. However, it is useful for the pregnant woman to bring files such as previous ultrasound and examination results (such as double or triple/quadruple screening test) and pregnancy follow-up form.
3 or 4-Dimensional Ultrasound (3-4D USG). )
With 4D ultrasound, which is a miracle of technology, real and physical vision of the baby in the womb is achieved. It is possible to monitor real-time movements. By adding the time factor to the images taken in 3D ultrasound, movements become visible and this is called 4D ultrasound. 4D ultrasound devices have two-dimensional examination features as well as color Doppler and 3D features. Essentially, 3 or 4 dimensional ultrasound is not a method that will make the use of classical 2 dimensional ultrasound unnecessary. However, it provides an advantage in some cases that are difficult to detect with classical ultrasound or require experience. It is especially advantageous in examining the external structure of the baby (cleft lip, seeing some detailed anomalies in the arms and legs, neural tube defects).
Although 4D ultrasound is not necessary during pregnancy, one of its most important advantages is that it allows expectant mothers and fathers to see the real view of their unborn babies. The emotional bonds that are normally expected to be established after birth are formed earlier. In order to obtain an image with 4D ultrasound during pregnancy, there must be a sufficient amount of amniotic fluid in front of the part we want to examine, and the part to be examined, such as the baby's face, must be facing us. If an image cannot be obtained due to the baby's position, performing the examination after a while allows the appropriate position to be obtained and the necessary images can be obtained.
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