The eagerly anticipated appointment
Although the uncertainty of what you will hear during a detailed ultrasound may cause anxiety or tension, it may be reassuring to think of the ultrasound scan as an opportunity to make sure your baby is developing normally. It's also the perfect opportunity to take a look at what your baby looked like before birth.
3D/5D images
Typically, both you and your companion (your partner or family member) view the images produced by the ultrasound device on a large screen. You will see it in time. Measurements will be made and recorded on the images and you will be given some printouts and a disk with all the images to keep as a souvenir.
Gender of the baby
The week of your pregnancy when the detailed ultrasound will be performed corresponds to the time when the gender of your baby will be clearly visible. For some parents, the moment the doctor tells the baby's gender is the most anticipated, exciting moment of the entire ultrasound session.
Recording images
Some hospitals or clinics allow you to record the ultrasound session with a cell phone or other recording device. But rules vary from doctor to doctor. It's best to ask before your appointment if you can register.
Although the possibility of having an image that gives you an idea of what your baby will look like after birth is exciting, keep in mind that obtaining quality 3D photos can be difficult.
What should we expect from level 2 ultrasound?
Detailed anatomy ultrasound is recommended to be performed between 18-22 weeks of pregnancy. The purpose of this imaging, also called detailed ultrasound, color Doppler and sometimes 3D ultrasound, is to collect information about your baby's development. Since it takes longer and is more specific than the ultrasound evaluations performed in the previous weeks of pregnancy, it is a test whose results expectant parents await with intense stress and excitement. However, informing parents about the test and interacting with prospective parents throughout the evaluation significantly reduces stress.
What to look for?
Except for any specific high-risk problems, the following areas are examined to rule out birth defects and other fetal anomalies:
• Evaluation of the brain
(ventricles , including cerebellum, corpus callosum and other key structures)
• Neck (including nuchal fold thickness) • Facial structures (palate, eyes, nose, lips and ears)
• Heart in detail and lung anatomy • Spine and ribs
• Intra-abdominal organs (gastrointestinals, spleen, liver, gallbladder) and abdominal wall
• Limbs and fingers
• Genital organs (if visible, can determine fetal gender)
• Umbilical cord, including the vessels within it and the site of entry into the fetal abdomen
• Structure and location of the placenta
• Uterus neck length
• Position and mobility of the fetus in the uterus
• Amniotic fluid amount
In case of multiple pregnancy, separate screening will be performed for each fetus.
When and how is it done?
Beginning the scan, you lie on your back (sometimes slightly inclined to your left side) on the ultrasound table. Then, some ultrasound gel (warmed for comfort) is applied to your abdomen. The doctor moves the ultrasound probe (a device that creates sound waves at a frequency that the human ear cannot hear, captures these sound waves reflected by the baby's body tissues and sends them to the computer to create ultrasound images on the screen) by pressing on your abdomen. During this time, you will feel pressure on your abdomen, but this will not harm you or your baby.
Fetus dimensions and anatomy are evaluated during ultrasound. The scan takes approximately 45-75 minutes from start to finish, and you will receive the evaluation report the same day. To make sure your baby's development is normal, his or her size is compared to other babies at the same gestational age.
Between 18-22 weeks of your pregnancy, your baby will be large enough for your doctor to see his organs and limbs in detail through an anatomy scan. It will continue smoothly I hope your pregnancy will result in a healthy birth.
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