Planned ultrasound when. The first ultrasound during pregnancy: timing and norms of indicators

Ultrasound, or echography, is considered the most common, safe and highly effective method for examining and evaluating the development of pregnancy. It is based on the principles of echolocation, when ultrasound penetrates through tissues, reflects from them and displays an image of the fetus during pregnancy.

It is preferable to conduct ultrasound in the first trimester transvaginally, using a vaginal probe. This method gives the most accurate representation, at this stage of pregnancy, about the development of the embryo than the abdominal ultrasound method.

The main task of the first ultrasound is to consider all the processes occurring inside the uterus, and to determine whether everything is in order with the embryo and the organs and tissues necessary for its development.

Ultrasound in the early stages of pregnancy is necessary to diagnose possible malformations in the embryo and various chromosomal pathologies. If ultrasound in conjunction with genetic studies confirms the risk of detecting pathology in the fetus, then the question arises of terminating the pregnancy.

The doctor compares all indicators of the ultrasound study with a table that describes the norms of fetal development during this period.

The result of an ultrasound scan performed at 12 weeks is deciphered as “normal” if all generally accepted indicators in the table coincide with the parameters of the fetus at the time of the study.

Despite the fact that a lot of time must still pass before the birth of the baby, an ultrasound scan at 12 weeks of pregnancy will be the first, a kind of acquaintance between mother and baby, and the doctor can record this event on video.

First ultrasound at a later date

By different reasons Ultrasound examination can be carried out unscheduled:

Ultrasound at 15 weeks . If it so happened that the first ultrasound was pushed back to the 15th week of pregnancy, the doctor can conduct it abdominally, moving the sensor along the front wall of the woman's abdomen. At this time, you can see more active work cardiac activity in the fetus and the very height of the formation of the central nervous and skeletal system. The length of the fetus is approximately 10 cm from the sacrum to the crown, and the weight is approximately 70 g.
ultrasound at 16 weeks . In addition to the doctor's recommendations, parents can independently undergo an ultrasound scan at 16 weeks of pregnancy in order to find out the sex of the unborn child. This is not a recommended and mandatory medical examination. Also, if a woman first undergoes an ultrasound scan at 16 weeks, this allows you to identify, and in some cases confirm or refute the predisposition of the fetus to Down syndrome.
ultrasound at 17 weeks . In cases where a woman undergoes an ultrasound at the 17th week of pregnancy, then her fetus will have a weight of approximately 100 g, and its length will reach 12 mm. Ultrasound at this time is carried out due to possible deviations in the structure and development of the placenta, in order to monitor it. At this stage, the placenta and fetus are developing rapidly.
Ultrasound at 18-19 weeks are carried out if the woman is undergoing the study for the first time. At this stage, the fetus already has the ability to hear and distinguish noises, and its closed eyes react to light. At this moment, all organs and tissues are almost completely formed in him. The size of the fetus is approximately 20 cm, and the weight is 200 g.

How to prepare for the first ultrasound during pregnancy

Speaking about preparing for the first ultrasound during pregnancy, it should be noted that the type of study is of great importance. If we are talking about abdominal ultrasound, then there is no need to prepare. The only thing you need to take care of is making an appointment with the doctor. In some clinics, ultrasound is performed on coupons or a referral from a gynecologist.

You don't need to take anything with you. Shoe covers should be issued free of charge at the hospital, diapers and wipes to wipe off the gel - directly in the ultrasound room. Although “must” and “issued” are completely different concepts, so it’s best to throw these things in your bag just in case. It is necessary to take a passport and an exchange card of a pregnant woman to the clinic.

As for filling the bladder, you do not need to drink water. In pregnant women, the uterus already increases in size and rises, so the visualization is quite good.

How to prepare for the first transvaginal ultrasound during pregnancy? Special preparation is also not required. It is advisable to perform genital hygiene before going to the hospital and do not drink liquid 1-2 hours before the procedure.

Upon arrival at the clinic, it is worth emptying bladder and immediately run to the pharmacy to buy a condom that will be put on the sensor, as well as shoe covers and a diaper. In private clinics, condoms are included in the cost of the examination and are available in the ultrasound room, but you can play it safe.

If there is a desire to take a photo or video, then you need to take money with you, as well as a USB flash drive to upload the video file. If possible, take it with you loved one who will be your moral support.

How is the first ultrasound done?

The first ultrasound is the opportunity to see the baby for the first time. Of course, it’s too early to find out the gender, but you can see the crumbled arms and legs. It is not much different from the usual for women ultrasound examination of the pelvic organs.

If there are no special indications, then the examination passes through the anterior abdominal wall.

Abdominal ultrasound in the first trimester of pregnancy is done as follows:

The woman lies down on the couch.
A special gel is applied to the abdomen.
Using the sensor of the ultrasound machine, the fetus, the walls of the uterus and the ovaries are scanned. On the monitor screen, a woman can see her baby.

If the fetus has chosen an inappropriate position in the uterus and certain parameters cannot be assessed, the doctor can stimulate its movement by lightly pressing the transducer on the anterior wall of the uterus. It's not painful or dangerous at all.

When the probe is inserted directly into the vagina, it is rarely performed. It is more informative, allows you to detect pregnancy already in the third or fourth week. However, this type of ultrasound can cause uterine hypertonicity, so it is used only according to indications.

How is the first transvaginal ultrasound performed during pregnancy:

The pregnant woman should undress below the waist, lie down on the couch.
The doctor puts a condom on the sensor, lubricates it with gel and inserts it shallowly into the vagina.
He drives them from side to side to get complete picture. The image is displayed on the monitor, the data is recorded.

Neither abdominal nor transvaginal ultrasound cause pain. The examination lasts about 10 minutes.

What do they say at the first ultrasound during pregnancy? First of all, the exact one is determined, then they talk about the condition of the fetus, how it develops, if there are any deviations.

The doctor makes the main measurements, compares them with the norm. In general, possible risks, if any, are discussed.

If there is a desire, a woman can ask in advance to take a photo or video of the examination.

Photo of the first ultrasound

Planned ultrasound during pregnancy is used to determine the indicators of intrauterine development. Such studies help to timely diagnose various anomalies in an infant or an excessive load on the internal organs of the mother.

At what time is planned ultrasound during pregnancy

Ultrasound perinatal examination is the most informative method for diagnosing pathologies, which allows you to identify a large number of deviations and anomalies in the development of the embryo. Therefore, doctors have identified planned ultrasound during pregnancy in a separate category and, only in case of suspicion of a pathological process, additional studies are prescribed.

The timing of planned ultrasound during pregnancy corresponds to each stage of fetal formation:

At 10-14 weeks of fetal development, the first mandatory examination is prescribed. The main goal, which is to confirm conception, calculate the gestational age and evaluate the main parameters of the fetus. During the procedure, the amount of amniotic fluid, the state of the uterine cavity and placental membrane are assessed, signs of isthmic-cervical insufficiency are revealed. Routine tests and ultrasound can exclude chromosomal abnormalities in a child. Primary screening ultrasound is performed to measure the collar zone, additional blood is donated to calculate the level of hCG and protein-A.
At 20-24 weeks of gestation, 2 planned ultrasounds are performed during pregnancy, the procedure is done to evaluate all internal organs fruit, which by this time have already been sufficiently formed. One of the important parameters at these times is the study of the placental membrane, as well as the diagnosis of hypoxia in an infant. In the second trimester, experts compare the results of the first screening with current data to understand the growth dynamics of the baby inside the womb.
At 30-34 weeks of gestation, ultrasound is necessary to assess the uteroplacental blood flow, evaluate the functionality of the placenta, and calculate the weight of the baby. During the 3rd trimester, they look at the presentation so that doctors can calculate the risks during labor and timely apply a caesarean section.

Also, 2 and 3 planned ultrasound during pregnancy, it is carried out additionally with dopplerography, which makes it possible to assess blood circulation in the mother-placenta-fetus system. Because deviations in the blood flow contribute to the formation of hypoxia, the baby does not receive enough nutrients.

Mandatory early ultrasound

Not infrequently, ultrasound is prescribed earlier than the 10th week. In this case, a transvaginal examination is performed when the sensor is inserted into the vagina. The method is as safe as possible for the embryo and has many advantages:

from 3-4 weeks the fact of conception is established;
from 5-6 weeks you can reliably hear the baby's heartbeat;
the place of attachment of the fetal egg is visible, ectopic localization is excluded.

Early diagnosis using ultrasound is used only if there is a suspicion of a developing pathology ( pain lower abdomen, spotting) or if conception occurred through artificial insemination.

When is additional research needed?

Additional ultrasound procedures can be prescribed at any gestation period, it all depends on the course of pregnancy. The most common reasons for diagnosis are:

previous repeated miscarriage, due to miscarriages or premature births;
the birth of an older child by caesarean section, to monitor scar tissue;
if more than one fetus develops inside the womb, careful diagnosis will be required, especially in the last weeks of gestation;
infectious diseases become an occasion for a thorough examination of intrauterine development.

The examination looks at the length of the cervix to prevent premature labor. In the absence of prolonged movement of the baby after 20 weeks, it is necessary to exclude a missed pregnancy. Also, any other abnormal abnormalities in the fetus or in the condition of the woman should be examined using ultrasound. The technique does no harm and is considered the safest, therefore it can be carried out at different stages of the 9-month formation.

Our mothers had to go through 9 months of pregnancy with a very vague idea of how their body is changing and how the baby is developing. Modern medical technologies have made it possible to make the waiting period for a child more comfortable for a woman, relieving her of many worries.

Ultrasonography - the main method for studying the anatomical and functional state of the fetus throughout pregnancy. Ultrasound allows you to determine the presence and duration of pregnancy, find out the sex of the child, and most importantly, with the help of ultrasound scanning, doctors can monitor the development of the embryo and take timely measures if any trouble is detected.

In "MedicCity" patients have the opportunity to undergo ultrasound during pregnancy using premium equipment. The scanner is indispensable for diagnosing fetal development during pregnancy, identifying congenital pathologies and other potential dangers. Our highly professional with vast experience in this field, doctors and candidates of medical sciences, armed with first-class equipment, will do everything possible to ensure that the period of expectation of a child runs as smoothly as possible!

fetal ultrasound

What does ultrasound screening show?

Ultrasound scanning is a highly informative, non-invasive and safe way to obtain data on the health of the future mother and fetus. The method is based on the analysis of differences in the reflection of ultrasonic waves from structures of unequal density.

The purpose of an ultrasound examination is to assess the condition of a woman and her unborn child, as well as to identify possible deviations from the norm in order to take the necessary measures (ultrasound for fetal pathology).

Ultrasound diagnostics allows you to confirm the fact of pregnancy, obtain data on the formation of the fetus, the structure of the uterus and appendages, as well as the condition of the placenta, umbilical cord, amniotic fluid. The tactics of managing pregnancy and preparing for childbirth, as well as the choice of the method of delivery, largely depend on the results of ultrasound.

After confirming the fact of pregnancy, all subsequent ultrasounds are carried out according to the schedule drawn up by the attending gynecologist.

The reason for an unscheduled ultrasound on early dates pregnancy can be the following reasons:

discrepancy between the size of the uterus and the norms for the current period of pregnancy;
the presence of a woman bleeding (single or frequent);
pain and discomfort lower abdomen;
suspicion of a "frozen" pregnancy, ectopic pregnancy and other pathologies early pregnancy;
the age of one or both future parents exceeding 35 years.

fetal ultrasound

Timing of fetal ultrasound

At what terms (trimesters) of pregnancy do ultrasound is one of the main questions of interest to future parents.

According to the order of the Ministry of Health Russian Federation No. 457 of December 28, 2000, the mandatory examination of pregnant women, along with biochemical screening (blood test for the content of specific proteins), includes ultrasound, which is performed for a period of 11-13 weeks, as well as 2 morphological ultrasounds in the second and third trimesters. In total, a three-time screening ultrasound examination is performed during the pregnancy period.

Scheduled fetal ultrasound by weeks of pregnancy do the following:

screening of the 1st trimester - at 11-13 weeks;
2nd trimester screening - at 20-24 weeks;
3rd trimester screening at 32-34 weeks.

Additional (unscheduled) ultrasound examinations can be carried out on the recommendation of a doctor at any stage of pregnancy. This should not frighten the patient, since ultrasound does not have a harmful burden on the body. Repeated procedures can be prescribed to clarify the diagnosis or, if a particular pathology of pregnancy is detected, to take the necessary measures to improve the health of the woman and the fetus.

First fetal ultrasound helps to determine the exact gestational age, obtain data on the size and number of embryos, hear the fetal heartbeat, assess the degree of its development, and detect possible deviations.

Heart rate, nasal bone formation, thickness of the collar region and coccygeal-parietal size (CTE) are extremely important parameters by which the formation of the fetus is judged. Significant deviations from the norm, coupled with the corresponding results of laboratory tests, will indicate the presence of a pregnancy pathology.

Important! Screening should be deciphered by a professional. Only in this way can you be sure that no pregnancy pathology has gone unnoticed. Attempts to independently evaluate the results of ultrasound will not give an objective picture of what is happening and will only add anxiety to an already emotionally difficult period for future parents.

On the second ultrasound during pregnancy checks if the size of the fetus corresponds to the current stage of pregnancy. The length of the child's limbs, the size of his head, internal organs, the volume of the chest and abdomen, etc. are estimated. It is equally important during this period to monitor whether internal organs, the spine, and the cardiovascular system are developing normally.

Also, during the ultrasound screening of the 2nd trimester, the condition of the walls and cervix, appendages, the location, thickness and structure of the placenta, the number of vessels in the umbilical cord are assessed.

fetal ultrasound

Third fetal ultrasound - key. At this stage, the doctor carefully analyzes the compliance of the anatomical and functional state of the fetus with the screening standards for this period of pregnancy. It is extremely important to identify late malformations.

If the screening results of the 3rd trimester show some delay in the development of the fetus, the patient is assigned additional diagnostics (assessment of blood flow in the vessels of the uterus, embryo and umbilical cord). The doctor also analyzes the state of the "womb-placenta-fetus" system. At the same time, close attention is paid to the placenta - the zone of its attachment, the degree of maturity and thickness.

Determination of the sex of the child during the third planned screening reaches 90% in accuracy.

More information about prenatal screenings you can read .

Unscheduled ultrasound during pregnancy is performed if:

the patient experiences pain in the lower abdomen;
suffered an infectious disease;
does not feel fetal movement after the 20th week;
has bloody and other discharge;
premature labor began;
there were contractions for a period of 36-40 weeks;
there are other complications of pregnancy.

Ultrasound protocol during pregnancy

Deciphering ultrasound diagnostics during pregnancy reveals the parameters of fetal development in the womb on different terms. Ultrasound indicators by week of pregnancy include the following data:

HC - circumference of the child's head;
FL - length of the thigh bone;
BPD - the size between the temples (biparietal diameter);
CRL - the length of the embryo from the crown to the coccyx (this parameter makes it possible to determine the gestational age by ultrasound).

When deciphering ultrasound by weeks of pregnancy, the following fetal malformations can be detected:

spinal cord herniation, which threatens the normal development of the spinal cord and brain;
heart disease;
accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the skull;
lack of a brain (this defect can lead to termination of pregnancy);
fusion of the duodenum;
mental retardation of the child (Down syndrome).

Photograph of the fetus at 11 weeks

Photograph of the fetus at 27 weeks

Photograph of the fetus at 28 weeks

Types of fetal ultrasound

Familiar to everyone ultrasound picture - a black and white flat image with spots and dots that are understandable only to a specialist - this is the result of an ultrasound study conducted in two dimensions: in width and height ( 2D ultrasound ). Almost every antenatal clinic is equipped with such a device today.

3D fetal ultrasound or 3D ultrasound during pregnancy - a more informative and modern diagnostic method that provides a high-quality image of the fetus in volume and color. The picture obtained with 3D ultrasound is almost a photo of the fetus, in which you can see the features of the child's face and even his facial expressions.

The service of three-dimensional ultrasound is offered today by many paid medical centers. When choosing a clinic, you should pay attention to the qualifications of the doctor, because a competent interpretation of the results is the most important stage of screening. In "MedicCity" only highly qualified specialists with extensive practical experience are engaged in ultrasound diagnostics.

3D ultrasound during pregnancy

Pregnancy is a special time in a woman's life, full of both joyful expectations and worries. Without a doubt, seek help from specialists - our highly professional doctors will help you in solving all medical issues!

If the gestation proceeds with normal indicators, then the first ultrasound during pregnancy is always prescribed at the beginning of the 2nd trimester. If a pathological process is suspected, ultrasound can be used at an earlier time, in which case transvaginal ultrasound is most often used.

When and how is the first ultrasound done for pregnant women

The first planned ultrasound during gestation is done at a period of 11-13 weeks. It is during this period that the child reaches sufficient size to evaluate the anatomical parameters and compare them with generally accepted standards. Most often, at this stage, ultrasound is performed in the abdominal way, when the transducer is moved along the abdomen, so the ultrasound waves penetrate the abdominal wall.

If the doctor suspects the formation of a pathological process, then the first ultrasound during pregnancy is done at an earlier date. In this case, a transvaginal examination method is prescribed, which involves the introduction of an ultrasound probe into the vagina of a pregnant woman. The method allows you to set the date and fact of conception already in the first weeks, to see the dynamics of the development of the embryo.

Ultrasound of a pregnant woman by the transvaginal method is considered the most harmless and absolutely not dangerous for intrauterine development. If you need to determine the location of the attachment of the fetal egg, then this method will show the exact location. In case of diagnosis ectopic pregnancy appropriate therapy will be prescribed.

1 ultrasound after IVF in most cases is prescribed in the third week after embryo transfer, and the next study is already on the 5th, in order to determine the fetal heartbeat.

What does the first ultrasound during pregnancy show

First of all, at the 1st ultrasound examination, the fact of conception is looked at and confirmed, and then the parameters of embryo development are evaluated:

at 1-3 weeks, the first ultrasound during pregnancy shows the place of attachment of the fetal egg, the size of which is about 3-4 mm, and the risk of ectopic fetal formation is also excluded;
at 3-4 weeks the embryo reaches 4-5 mm, you can consider the initial stage of the formation of the limbs and the umbilical cord;
starting from 5-7 weeks, you can hear the fetal heart rate;
period from 8-11 weeks of gestation, ossification points and bones appear.

Planned ultrasound, at 11-13 weeks of gestation, is the most informative and takes place in the abdominal way. At this stage, you can not only count the number of fingers in an infant, but also visualize the internal organs (stomach, bladder, kidneys). Diagnostic measures to determine the sex of the baby at the stage of the first ultrasound are not determined, since this information will be available in the middle of the second trimester.

Deciphering the first screening

Initially, the number of embryos is entered in the ultrasound protocol of a pregnant woman. In the presence of multiple conception, each fetus will be evaluated separately.

Later, when deciphering, the coccygeal-parietal size (KTR - the distance from the beginning of the head to the coccyx) and the heart rate (HR) are determined. These parameters must comply with the norms, any deviation indicates a functional pathology of the formation of the baby.

Additionally, an analysis is used for the presence of chromosomal abnormalities (Down syndrome, Edwards and others), which is carried out by studying three markers. For this purpose, the thickness of the collar space is evaluated on ultrasound, and blood is taken in parallel to determine the level of hCG and protein-A.

Among other indicators, the location, condition and location of the chorion is being studied, the heterogeneous structure of which may indicate an infectious process inside the mother's womb.

During prenatal diagnosis, the state of the woman's internal organs is also assessed. The uterine cavity, appendages and the genitourinary system are subjected to a particularly thorough examination, which, with the active growth of the baby, will experience a significant load.

In the process of early screening, after studying all the parameters, the doctor will definitely show the woman her baby inside the womb. In some clinics, you can record the first ultrasound on video.

Video what is shown on the first ultrasound during pregnancy

Ultrasound examinations for every pregnant woman, of course, as well as for her doctor, are of paramount importance. According to the results of ultrasound, they determine how the child develops, whether the embryo corresponds to the gestational age. In addition, ultrasound is a wonderful opportunity for a mother to listen to the baby's heartbeat, to see it with her own eyes.

Types of ultrasound indications

Screening studies are carried out 3 times during pregnancy. For this, there are certain periods of pregnancy, namely: at 10-12, 20-22 weeks and 30-34th. The study at 26-38 weeks is carried out at the request of the mother. It is not necessary if the pregnancy is observed without complications. If, however, certain pathologies are detected in the fetus, then selective studies are indicated.

Third ultrasound during pregnancy

The most important, according to doctors, is the third study (scheduled) of the fetus, namely, 30-34 weeks, this is the period for detecting fetal defects and any abnormalities. The research process in all three cases is the same: the doctor determines the number of fetuses, their location in the uterine cavity, necessarily measures the circumference of the head and abdomen, and also necessarily the length of the child's femur.

Based on the results of the measurements, the doctor writes a conclusion, which records how many weeks the pregnancy corresponds. The size of the fetus for a certain period of pregnancy should correspond to average standards. During the study, the doctor focuses on the location of the placenta, its thickness and degree of maturity, various changes in the placenta of a pathological nature.

It looks like 3 ultrasounds made at 35 weeks of gestation

Doctors also extract valuable information from ultrasonic amnioscopy, such an ultrasound is a study of amniotic fluid. Evaluation in such a study is mainly on their number. In exact numbers, it is not possible to calculate the amount of water. The amount of amniotic fluid in medical practice is estimated by 4 linear measurements. The result of addition should normally be from 6 to 24 cm. The largest of them indicates polyhydramnios, and the smaller one indicates oligohydramnios. With an unsatisfactory condition of the fetus and placental insufficiency, as practice shows, oligohydramnios develops.

Also, important information is obtained from a Doppler study. In this study, blood flow velocity and vascular resistance are determined in large vessels of the fetus and umbilical cord arteries. The biometric ultrasound examination of such an organ as the umbilical cord is also important. Much attention is also paid to methods for predicting the entanglement of the umbilical cord around the neck of the fetus.

Cardiotocography is also interesting and effective for establishing the condition of the fetus. Also applies to ultrasound. The subject of CTG is, of course, the fetal heart rate, its variability and frequency, as well as its reactivity, in which the ability to change in relation to the degree of activity of the physical fetus is assessed.

CTG refers to very "capricious" studies. This is explained by the fact that its final results are influenced by the medications taken, the time interval preceding the meal, as well as weather factors.

Ultrasound at 30-34 weeks of pregnancy - attention to the placenta!

It has already been mentioned above that the last third ultrasound is more aimed at studying the placenta than at studying the state of the fetus itself. What caused the increased interest in this issue of specialists? The information obtained can help the delivery process, especially when indications for caesarean section. For this, in fact, the doctor needs to know the exact location of the placenta, as well as to which wall of the uterus it is attached.

An important indicator of the placenta is the correspondence of its lower edge directly to the opening of the cervix. To determine the likelihood of prenatal bleeding, as well as bleeding during childbirth, this measurement is extremely important. The thickness of the placenta at the place of its attachment to the umbilical cord is also important, when excessive or insufficient thickness is characterized as placental insufficiency, while a significant increase in it may be a sign of inflammation, infection. During pregnancy, it is usually detected by ultrasound, directly at 32-34 weeks.

Photograph of the third screening ultrasound taken at 33 weeks gestation

On the third ultrasound during pregnancy, it is also important to study the internal structure of the placenta, which is undergoing structural changes from the very moment of its formation. Among doctors, there are terms "ripening" and "aging" of the placenta. The terms are not entirely correct and rather conditional, which arose at the dawn of the ultrasonic era.

Experts at certain times have argued that the degree of "maturity" regarding the placenta always corresponds to specific terms of pregnancy. But, this is fundamentally not true. The placenta is divided into four degrees of maturity, which are indicated by such numbers, namely, 0, I, II, III, sometimes the letter G is added. They differ in the degree of division into lobules of the placental tissue and the state of the basal plate. Let's give an example, so the placenta G0 does not have a lobular structure, and at G III (the degree of maturity is maximum), a complete division into placental lobules is observed.

This would not be of particular interest if it were not for the frequent occurrence premature aging placenta, when the II degree of its maturity is observed before the 34th week, and the III is fixed no later than the 36th week. In studies of these cases, the placenta does not fulfill its necessary functions. But this should not be a reason for discouragement. In such cases, to correct the condition, the doctor will prescribe a certain preventive treatment.

There are other diagnostic disorders in the study of the placenta. For example, placental calcification, by the way, is a fairly common problem in which necrosis of ischemic areas of placental tissue occurs. This is especially true for female smokers. In such cases, neighboring healthy areas take over the functions of damaged areas.

Note that all the results and indications for ultrasound are a real help to the doctor leading your pregnancy. They will help in the preparation of the birth canal for future childbirth, and identify risks that may be an obstacle to the normal course of childbirth.

The norms of the development of the baby and the interpretation of the results of ultrasound at 30-34 weeks of pregnancy

Doctors have special tables for determining the size of the baby in specific periods of pregnancy, with the indicators of which they compare the data obtained after ultrasound. Deviations from the table, of course, are possible and range from normal indicators - 1-2 weeks, which is not a clear sign of a fetal lag in development.

The specialist during the ultrasound makes the following measurements:

biparietal size (BDP):
fronto-occipital (LZR);
circumference of the tummy (OJ) and head (OG);
the length of the forearm and shoulder of the fetus;
length of the tibia and femur bones;
the size of the bones of the nose.

Intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) is indicated by the doctor when the size of the fetus is significantly smaller than the accepted norms. With this diagnosis, the doctor prescribes additional studies, in which the blood flow in the uterus, in the umbilical cord, in the vessels of the embryo is determined, and the fetal heartbeat is also heard.

Photo? 3D ultrasound at 34 weeks pregnant

It is not worth deciphering the data obtained on ultrasound on your own, all the more, it would be extremely unreasonable to compare them with normative tables. Only a specialist should give an opinion on the process of fetal development and any deviations, if any.

Additional ultrasound at 35-38 weeks of pregnancy

If problems are found in a mother or baby that can negatively affect the birth process, the doctor, if necessary, will prescribe another ultrasound examination in the last weeks of the “interesting situation”. It can also be carried out at the woman's own request.

The doctor, at 35-38 weeks, will already determine more precisely the date childbirth, the amount of amniotic fluid and the weight of the baby, will be able to confirm the sex of the unborn baby. In most cases, at 37-38 weeks, additional ultrasound is prescribed to determine the need for a woman to go to the hospital before giving birth.

Baby photo for memory

At 32-33 weeks and, of course, more later dates you can take a photo on an ultrasound with a distinct face of the baby and his limbs. Modern technologies allow you to make a photo three-dimensional, and it will be very interesting to get a photo even before the baby is born. Finally, I would like to note that ultrasound examinations do not carry any harm to pregnancy.

The main thing is that they are carried out no more than 10 times during the entire course of pregnancy. Remember that these studies, on the contrary, are designed to identify problems in a timely manner and provide timely support and assistance.