How many ultrasounds should be done during pregnancy?

In order for the condition of the mother and the fetus to continue to be properly monitored, pregnant women need to do ultrasonography (Ultrasound). Maybe you think this ultrasound examination is only to see the sex of the fetus. But in fact, there are many benefits that pregnant women can get if they do an ultrasound. Ideally, how many ultrasounds should be done by pregnant women? When should ultrasound be done?

How many times do pregnant women have to have an ultrasound?

Pregnancy ultrasound examination is a test using high frequency sound waves to obtain a picture of the condition of the fetus, placenta, and reproductive organs of pregnant women.

There are two types of ultrasound examinations performed on pregnant women, namely transvaginal ultrasound and abdominal (abdominal) ultrasound. Transvaginal ultrasound is generally performed early in pregnancy, whereas abdominal ultrasound is performed at a later gestational age.

Ultrasound examination during pregnancy is very important for the health of both mother and fetus. Not only to find out the weight and sex of the fetus, this examination also shows the development of the fetus and detects the risk of health problems for both the mother and the fetus.

So, how many times do you have to have an ultrasound while pregnant? Every pregnant woman is recommended to do an ultrasound at least 2-3 times during pregnancy. Examinations are carried out in the first, second, and third trimesters to observe different indicators of fetal development.

When do pregnant women start doing pregnancy ultrasound?

After you know how many times you should ideally do an ultrasound, now understand the right time to do this examination.

The right time to do an ultrasound is actually anytime. The reason is, examinations at each gestational age have different uses. Here are the differences:

1. First trimester (weeks 1-12)

Ultrasound examination at the beginning of the first trimester is usually performed by the transvaginal method. The objectives are as follows:

• Confirm pregnancy
• Know the fetal heart rate
• Detecting multiple pregnancies
• Detects abnormal growths in the fetus
• Determine whether the pregnancy took place inside or outside the uterus
• Detecting the risk of premature pregnancy and miscarriage
• Perform first trimester screening

2.Second trimester (weeks 12-27)

Ultrasound examination during the second trimester of pregnancy can be done using the abdominal ultrasound method. The main benefit is to get a picture of fetal development with the following indicators:

• Knowing the completeness of vital organs such as the heart, lungs, and brain structure
• Knowing the sex of the fetus
• Make sure if the pregnancy is twins
• Monitor the amount of amniotic fluid
• Detecting problems with the placenta
• Know the blood flow of the fetus

3. Third trimester (weeks 24-40)

Ultrasound examination in the third trimester of pregnancy focuses on fetal growth and readiness for labor. The benefits of this examination include:

• Knowing the position of the fetus in the uterus (normal, oblique, or breech)
• Detect placenta function before delivery
• Detecting defects in the fetus
• Predict the day of birth
• Knowing whether the fetus is still "at home" in the womb or if it has to be born soon

Every pregnant woman needs to have an ultrasound, but make sure you do it in a timely manner. If you want to know the sex of the fetus, examination in the early trimester certainly cannot answer this with certainty.

You need to wait until the reproductive organs of the fetus can be seen clearly, namely in the second trimester. If done in a suitable time, the benefits of ultrasound examination for your health and the fetus will be felt more optimally.

Which 2D, 3D, or 4D ultrasound is better?

One of the misconceptions about ultrasound is that 3 or 4 dimensional ultrasound provides the clearest picture of ultrasound.

2D ultrasound is the main and best modality in assessing the condition of the baby in the womb. Meanwhile, for 3D and 4D ultrasound, you only see parts of the fetal body surface, such as the face, hands and feet.

What should be done if abnormalities are detected during ultrasound?

Ultrasound examination during pregnancy is not only useful for knowing the sex and weight of the baby. This examination is actually very important to detect abnormalities and diseases early on.

Abnormalities in the fetal body, such as a leaky heart or cleft lip, generally cannot be treated before the baby is born. However, the doctor can carry out further evaluations to detect other syndromic disorders.

If there are abnormalities related to organ function or the risk of premature birth, the doctor can help reduce the risk and find out the cause. You may also undergo a series of follow-up tests.

Is the pregnancy ultrasound examination safe for the mother and the fetus?

Transvaginal and abdominal ultrasound examinations are very safe for both mother and fetus as long as they meet two conditions. In my opinion, there are several conditions that must be met in order for an ultrasound examination during pregnancy to be safe and effective, namely:

1. The ultrasound device must meet health standards

The ultrasound device must be adjusted so that the thermal and mechanical indices are safe for the condition of the mother and the fetus. The duration of the examination should also not exceed 30 minutes to avoid the effects of continuous sound waves.

2. Must be performed by competent medical personnel

The second requirement, the practitioner who carries out an ultrasound examination must be a competent medical staff.

Medical personnel who perform ultrasound must have the ability to observe the condition of the fetus and the mother's reproductive organs so that the examination results are more accurate.

Therefore, for an ultrasound examination, you can consult directly with a gynecologist.

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