Ultrasound - Anatomy Scan

this is probably the most looked forward to medical test in all pregnancies, (at least it was for me, minus the holding your full bladder for how ever long it takes, lol) and it really brings it home that your really carrying another life within you, especially if you have not yet felt the little fluttering's of movement, this is one exam that can be performed at any stage of pregnancy, most will have at least one scan during their pregnancy.

A. What it is

A prenatal ultrasound scan is a painless medical procedure ordered by your physician, midwife or nurse practitioner. It uses sound waves to produce a live image of your little one in the womb that can be seen on a monitor. Ultrasounds are conducted by a physician or a trained sonographer using a hand-held instrument called a transducer. The transducer creates sound waves that the human ear cannot hear. The ultrasound machine detects sound waves that bounce off of the little one and turns them into an image.

These images are used to assess the health and well-being of your little one. A doctor, with expertise in interpreting ultrasound, reviews the images and sends a written report to your prenatal care provider. Your care provider will then review the findings with you.

B. When it is done

The scan will show different information depending on when the ultrasound is performed during your pregnancy and the reason your health care provider has requested it.

In general, a prenatal ultrasound scan may:

• Determine the age of your little one (in days and weeks) and your estimated due date

• Look at the size, growth and position of your little one

• Look to see if your little one is developing normally or if there are any major physical concerns

• Determine the sex of the babe

• How many babies you're carrying

• Signs of Down syndrome

• Check on the amount of amniotic fluid around your little one

• Your baby's heart rate

• Help investigate any concerns your health care provider might have about your uterus, ovaries, placenta or cervix.

First Trimester (up to 14 weeks)

An ultrasound done during the first trimester is the best time to:

• Determine how far along you are in your pregnancy

• Estimate your due date

• Help determine if there is more than one babe and if they share a placenta and/or the amniotic sac (the bag of fluid inside the womb where the babe develops)

As part of a range of prenatal genetic screening options, some women are eligible for a special type of ultrasound called a nuchal translucency (NT) ultrasound. This NT ultrasound is done along with blood tests to determine your little one's chance of having Down syndrome (DS), Trisomy 18 or an open neural tube defect. Please talk to your health care provider to learn more about your prenatal genetic screening options.

Second Trimester (14 to 27 weeks)

An ultrasound between 18 and 22 weeks into your pregnancy is often called the detailed, anatomical, or level 2 ultrasound. It is the best time to look at the anatomy of your babe and try to see if there are any growth concerns or birth defects. The shape and size of your little one’s physical structures are examined, but the ultrasound cannot always tell how well those structures are developing.

The best time to look for ultrasound “markers” is 18 to 22 weeks into your pregnancy. Markers are NOT birth defects. They are most often normal variations in the growth and development. When seen in combination, markers MIGHT suggest a congenital condition, such as Down syndrome or Trisomy 18. Your health care provider may offer further information and testing if markers are seen. Most little ones that have an isolated ultrasound “marker” are completely healthy.

Ultrasound cannot detect all prenatal issues or conditions. Having a completely normal ultrasound does NOT guarantee a completely healthy pregnancy or babe. In addition to offering prenatal ultrasound, your health care provider will provide regular physical assessment and other screening tests to monitor you and your little one's health throughout your pregnancy.

Third Trimester (after 27 weeks)

Your health care provider may ask you to have one or more third trimester ultrasounds if they are concerned about:

• Your little one’s size, growth or position

• The amount of amniotic fluid around your babe

• The location of your placenta

• The length of your cervix

C. How it is done

There are 2 ways to do a prenatal ultrasound:

A transabdominal ultrasound is done by moving a transducer over your belly. (This is the most common).

An Endovaginal (EV), or transvaginal, ultrasound is done by gently placing a narrow transducer in to your vagina. This method is used to assess certain conditions that might arise in your pregnancy.

The Endovaginal scan provides a better view of the lower part of your uterus, including the length of your cervix, or to determine the position of your placenta. Your care provider will discuss with you the timing and reasons to use an endovaginal or transabdominal scan in pregnancy. With this information you can decide whether you consent, and if so, what type of ultrasound method you prefer.

Most often, medical ultrasounds are 2 dimensional (2D). This creates a flat image rather than a 3 dimensional (3D) image or 4d, Ultrasounds made in a commercial setting for entertainment or bonding purposes can cost as much as $200 or more. Unless medically indicated, 3D and 4D ultrasounds will likely not be covered by insurance, which means you'll need to pay for them out-of-pocket.

D. Will you find out the biological sex of your babe?

During the 18 to 22 week second trimester scan, the genitals (sex organs) of your babe are usually examined as part of the detailed assessment of your little one’s anatomy. If the position of your babe allows for the genitalia to be clearly seen, the gender (male or female) will be listed on the final report if requested. If you want to know the gender, only your health care provider who ordered the test can tell you.

The sonographer performing the ultrasound is not able to give you detailed information about what they see on the ultrasound, including the gender of your baby. If you do not want to know the gender of your babe, let your health care provider and the sonographer know.

Be aware that the ultrasound is not always correct in determining the gender of your baby. Also, you cannot book a medical ultrasound exam or extend a routine exam for the sole purpose of identifying the sex of the little one.