Pregnancy journey is one of the highlights that will happen to people who are building a family. There are so many hopes, expectations, and questions that may arise while bearing the child inside the womb – this is the reason why constant check-ups are needed to make sure the health of the baby is in good condition. One of the tools that the doctor may use is the ultrasound scan to monitor the baby’s development. This kind of tool is painless and safe, it will provide the necessary information about the journey of the mother’s pregnancy up until the delivery of the baby.
What Is an Ultrasound Scan?
The Ultrasound scan is a tool to create pictures of the baby inside the womb – it uses sound waves and it is completely safe for the mother and the baby unlike X-rays that use radiation. During the examination, a small device called a probe is used to move over the mother’s belly. This will send sound waves into the body and the echos are turned into images that can be seen on the screen. The doctor can take a picture of it for printing.
Why Are Ultrasound Scans Important?
Here’s how they help in the medical field:
Confirmation of the Pregnancy: Aside from pregnancy tests, at the early stage of the pregnancy, doctors used ultrasound scans to verify and confirm the pregnancy of the mother and if the baby is growing in the right manner inside the womb.
It can check the Baby’s growth : through Ultrasound scan, the doctor can have the estimated size of the baby, just to make sure that it is not growing abnormally. This can also check the baby’s heartbeat, movements in the fluid surrounding the area.
Finding Out the Baby’s Age: Ultrasound scans help estimate the baby’s age and predict the due date more accurately.
Checking for Multiple Babies: Sometimes a woman is carrying twins or more. An ultrasound can easily show if there is more than one baby.
Looking for Possible Problems: Doctors use scans to spot any possible issues early, like problems with the baby’s organs, the placenta, or the umbilical cord. Early ultrasound scan means that doctors can prepare better care for the baby if needed.
Finding the Baby’s Position: As the pregnancy progresses, it is important to know whether the baby is in the right position for delivery.
When Are Ultrasound Scans Done?
Most women have at least two major ultrasound scans during pregnancy.
The first one is usually done around 8 to 14 weeks to confirm the pregnancy and estimate the due date based on the age of the baby. The next ultrasound will be in the coming fifth month of the pregnancy, when the doctor monitors the development of the organs formed in the baby’s body. It depends on the doctor how many scans he or she will require depending on the situation of the pregnancy.
Conclusion
Ultrasound scans not only provide medical benefits but also can make the journey more unforgettable for the soon to be parents. It plays an important role in making memories – parents can now hear and see the small movements of the baby inside the womb and it can also give them the assurance that the baby is doing good and growing so well. If you are pregnant or planning to be, regular ultrasound scans with a trusted medical center can help you feel more confident as you look forward to welcoming your little one.
