Is it worth doing an ultrasound in the early stages of pregnancy and why? Ultrasound of the mammary glands, when to do it and how many times? Is it worth doing an ultrasound?

Every pregnant woman looks forward to the moment when she can hold her baby in her hands and look at him. Therefore, many young mothers are eagerly awaiting the moment when they can see their child for the first time, albeit only on the screen of an ultrasound machine. However, there is no need to rush things.

There are certain periods of pregnancy during which it is planned to undergo an ultrasound examination. How many weeks should I have my first ultrasound? What does it show and how to prepare for the procedure?

Ultrasound examinations in modern medicine are the most accessible and popular examination method. Such studies are quite harmless and informative.

To monitor pregnancy in the early stages, two types of ultrasound are used: transabdominal, when waves pass through the abdominal wall, and transvaginal - a sensor is inserted into the vagina.

Transvaginal ultrasound does not require special preparation and is highly informative. To conduct ultrasound through the anterior wall of the abdomen, a so-called “acoustic window” is required. To do this, you need to fill the bladder with fluid before diagnosis.

The first ultrasound during pregnancy is prescribed depending on the indications. Some women want to have it done as early as possible to make sure everything is in order and the pregnancy is progressing. However, despite the safety of the procedure, it should not be performed without a doctor’s recommendation.

In a normal pregnancy, the first ultrasound is performed at 11-13 weeks. It is usually included in the first screening.

If there is a suspicion of an ectopic pregnancy, a frozen fetus, or the woman had gynecological problems before pregnancy, then an ultrasound examination may be prescribed earlier.

How the research works

To complete the study you must:

1. 1. Make an appointment in advance and come on time so as not to wait too long

Especially if you need to fill your bladder.

1. 1. A woman goes into the office and lies down on the couch on her back..
   2. If ultrasound is performed transvaginally, then you need to take off your underwear, bend your legs slightly at the knees and spread them

The doctor carefully inserts a special sensor, covered with a condom, into the vagina. The procedure is completely painless and does not injure the child in any way.

1. 1. If the ultrasound is performed through the abdomen, then it is necessary to fill the bladder in advance

A special conductive gel is applied to the abdomen and the sensor moves from the womb to the navel.

1. 1. An image is displayed on the screen of the ultrasound machine in which you can see a little man, although its proportions are not yet the same as those of an adult

The child's head is much larger than the body.

1. If the patient has questions, she can ask them to the doctor.
2. The procedure takes a little time. Usually no more than 10 minutes.
3. The doctor issues a conclusion on the study performed

Some devices are capable of taking a photo of the output image.

What can you see on the monitor at 12 weeks of pregnancy?

At 12 weeks, when the first study is usually performed, you can:

• • Determine the size of the fetus and establish the approximate due date;
  • Detect the presence of serious pathologies in the fetus

At this stage, the baby’s head, arms and legs, as well as some of the baby’s organs, are already formed;

• Measure the fetal heart rate (HR), compare it with the norm;
• Distinguish between multiple pregnancies;
• Assess the condition of the uterus, its tone, the location of the placenta;
• Measure the collar zone in the child’s neck, the size of which can be used to judge the possibility of genetic abnormalities in the fetus.

At the end of the first trimester of pregnancy, the fetus becomes more and more human-like. However, the child's head continues to remain significantly larger than the body.

Its length at week 12 is about 8-10 mm, and its weight is 15-20 grams. The baby's face is almost formed. He has eyelids on his eyes, the beginnings of ears, and has fingers and toes. The genital organs are forming, but it is not yet possible to distinguish them on ultrasound at this stage.

It is unlikely that the expectant mother will be able to see all this on the screen on her own, but you can ask questions to the doctor who conducts the diagnosis.

Features of the first ultrasound

The first ultrasound during pregnancy makes it possible to detect fetal pathologies that can lead to the birth of a defective child with serious health problems, often incompatible with life. This is the main feature of the first study.

However, when determining these possible pathologies, they are guided not only by ultrasound data, but also carry out special tests (screening) that confirm genetic abnormalities of the fetus. After all the tests and consultations, doctors advise to terminate the pregnancy. After an abortion, a woman undergoes treatment and can conceive again.

For most women, this is not an easy decision to make, but it is worth thinking about what the future holds for the sick child and family. Not many can bear such a burden, and if the child has serious health problems that cannot be cured, then his death after several months or years of life filled with suffering will be an even greater blow for the parents.

Terminating a pregnancy for serious medical reasons in the first trimester is much less traumatic than in subsequent periods.

Therefore, the timing of the first ultrasound is strictly regulated.

Is it harmful to do it?

All pregnant women worry about the health of their unborn child. And often expectant mothers are very suspicious. There is an opinion that ultrasound, especially in the early stages, is harmful to the baby. Some say that after this procedure they experienced an early termination of pregnancy. In fact, this is nothing more than a coincidence.

Millions of women have undergone ultrasound examinations at this stage and successfully carried their pregnancies to term.

Many studies have proven that ultrasound is not dangerous for either the child or the mother. While the benefits of its information content are quite great.

Therefore, undergoing an ultrasound scan during pregnancy in all trimesters of pregnancy is extremely necessary to assess the health of the fetus and the possibility of complications during pregnancy and childbirth. It is mandatory to go through this procedure.

Ultrasound diagnostics is very widely used in gynecology and obstetrics. The embryo (fetus) floats in the amniotic fluid, and ultrasound penetrates well through the aquatic environment. In places where tissues change density, it is refracted and reflected, which is perceived by the sensor, which sends and receives waves and transmits them to the monitor screen of the ultrasound machine in the form of an image.

– one of the most informative methods for diagnosing pregnancy itself, its localization and the development of the baby.

• Where to perform ultrasound examination
• Is ultrasound harmful for a child?
• How often can you do it
• How far along will pregnancy show?
• Minimum period for determining pregnancy
• What ultrasound should be done for diagnosis?
• Determination of gender

In civilized countries, often practicing gynecologists have their own portable or stationary ultrasound machine and, if necessary, can examine a pregnant woman immediately at the appointment. They look at how the child is developing, see if there are any anomalies in his development, and clarify the timing. With the help of modern devices, you can do an ultrasound and get maximum information about the course of pregnancy:

• • do Doplerometry (assess the quality of blood flow from mother to child, the functioning of the circulatory system in the fetus itself, look at the heart, large load-bearing vessels and vessels going to the brain);

• obtain three-dimensional (3D) and four-dimensional (4D) images of the fetus.

Where to do an ultrasound

It needs to be done where there is expert-class equipment and where there is a highly qualified sonologist (ultrasound doctor). Unfortunately, there are much more good equipment for ultrasound diagnostics than good specialists. Therefore, you need to set a goal in advance and find out where high-quality diagnostics are carried out.

High-resolution devices allow Doppler measurements and transform waves into three-dimensional or four-dimensional stereo images. This allows you to clearly see the fetus, examine its front part of the head, fingers and toes, and examine the features of the umbilical cord attachment.

3D and 4D ultrasound imaging is a meaningful image for mom and dad-to-be. And everything that the doctor needs to see to assess the course of pregnancy can be done using a conventional ultrasound machine.

It is useful to introduce dad to his future baby, in this case 3D and 4D devices help to do this in the best possible way.

Is it harmful to the fetus?

Pregnant women often ask whether ultrasound is harmful during pregnancy. Ultrasound waves have a physical effect on cells, so it is impossible to say that ultrasound during pregnancy is completely harmless. The waves emitted by the sensor lead to an increase in the temperature of the tissues and their fluctuations. Modern ultrasound equipment has very low power.

This is precisely controlled by manufacturing companies. The device operates in pulse mode. The overall impact of ultrasonic waves during diagnosis is minimized. In addition, ultrasound propagates over a surface area. The larger the surface, the less the influence of ultrasonic waves. That is, the longer the gestational age, the safer their effect on the fetus.

How often can you do it

In the early stages, when the embryo is very small, there is more power per unit surface. Therefore, sonologists recommend not to overuse ultrasound at the beginning of pregnancy and do it infrequently: only for strict indications. If the time frame is long, then the fundamental importance is lost; you can do ultrasound as much as needed.

When is an ultrasound done?

There are certain periods when ultrasound must be done:

• The first time when you need to do an ultrasound is -. At this time, you can quite clearly examine the embryo, determine the heartbeat, study the head and its structure, face, limbs, see where the placenta is attached, and determine the size. Based on certain criteria, one may suspect Down syndrome or serious developmental defects (cleft lip, malformations of the kidneys, heart, arms, legs, etc.).
• The next time when you need to do an ultrasound is -. At this time, all organs of the fetus, heart, liver, kidneys, brain structure, and face are clearly visible. At the same time, the gestational age is clarified, it is determined whether the fetus is developing correctly and whether it is not lagging behind in its development.
• The last time a mandatory ultrasound is done is during the period. This time it is determined how the fetus lies (head down or pelvic end). You can determine: its size, assess how large it is, whether its development corresponds to the gestational age, study the structure and degree of maturity of the placenta, features of the amniotic fluid, and identify developmental defects that were not previously noticed.

An ultrasound should be done when it is needed and as many times as needed according to indications. In some situations, for example, during a complicated pregnancy, ultrasound has to be done much more often. There is no need to be afraid of ultrasound during pregnancy. Nowadays, women are already giving birth who were themselves once the objects of ultrasound examination (when they were in their mother’s belly). No negative or harmful effects following ultrasound examinations have been observed or scientifically confirmed.

Today, ultrasound diagnostics is considered absolutely harmless. But there is no point in doing an ultrasound like this, just in case. Perhaps over time there will be more accurate data on its effect on the child, because ultrasound diagnostics have only been carried out for about 60 years.

Determining pregnancy in the early stages

Unfortunately, the embryo is not always . Ultrasound in the early stages to determine pregnancy allows you to see where the pregnancy is developing - in the uterus or outside it. Occurs when or within the abdominal cavity. The listed complications have dangerous consequences for the mother and require urgent surgical intervention.

At what stage will the test show pregnancy?

An ultrasound will show pregnancy at term, starting with a delay of 1-1.5 weeks. Before the 7th day of a missed period, you should not do it, because an ultrasound examination will not show pregnancy. Day 7 is the minimum period for determining the presence of pregnancy, since the day of conception is not precisely known.

You can see the fetal heartbeat. The embryo itself is barely noticeable, but the heartbeat is visible, and the localization of pregnancy in the pelvis is also visible. In fact, multiple births (twins) are immediately determined.

In the early stages, an ultrasound will immediately show a non-developing or frozen pregnancy, which are diagnosed quite often. Natural selection exists, and low-quality embryos are rejected by the maternal body in the early stages (before). Less commonly, the embryo is rejected at a later time. And in these cases, ultrasound helps. It is possible to diagnose a “non-developing pregnancy” if such signs are visualized on the screen.

Pregnancy is a mystery. Pregnancy is a miracle. Pregnancy is...sometimes a very exciting and stressful period in a woman’s life. Yes, modern future parents now have opportunities that could only be dreamed of 20 years ago. All kinds of genetic screenings, expensive tests and, most importantly, careful monitoring using ultrasound studies. This is a huge plus and progress in obstetrics and gynecology, if you look back at the recent management of pregnancy almost “blindly”.

What is ultrasound examination? And is it so important and informative that practically no doctor can do without it?

The ultrasound procedure has no contraindications

Ultrasound (ultrasound examination) is a study of the human body using ultrasonic waves, that is, without surgical intervention. This diagnosis is one of the most important in medicine. And although the first memories of it date back to the second half of the 19th century - the beginning of the 20th century, it began to be used in obstetrics about 40 years ago. In perinatal diagnosis even later - in the late 80s - early 90s.

Interestingly, the original and main purpose of ultrasound in obstetrics was to diagnose multiple pregnancies. Only later, already in 1976, the work of ultrasound research was aimed at identifying pathologies of intrauterine development.

How does this happen? Ultrasound passes through the boundaries between organs and tissues and is reflected from them in a certain way. These changes are recorded by a special sensor and translated into a graphic image, which is recorded on the monitor.

The procedure itself is simple, accessible and has no contraindications. That is why it is possible to carry it out repeatedly over several years, months, weeks and even a day, depending on the clinical situation.

The effect of ultrasound on pregnancy

The excitement of the expectant mother, who was given a referral for an ultrasound, is understandable. The maternal instinct is already working in full force and any “intervention” that concerns the baby causes fear and anxiety. Save, protect, protect... But sometimes you need to help and save.

If the pregnancy proceeds without complaints or discomfort, the obstetrician prescribes two main screenings:

• At 12-14 weeks.
• 20-22 weeks.
• The third screening is at 30-32 weeks, carried out according to the doctor’s indications.

But! This is if the pregnancy is progressing normally. In case of unforeseen complications, ultrasound examination can be performed as many times as necessary to monitor the viability of the fetus.

And it makes no difference whether a pregnant woman had only two main ultrasounds, ten, or not at all. There are no precise data or laboratory studies that would confirm the detrimental effect of ultrasound diagnostics on the course of pregnancy. To prevent danger for the baby and help him in utero - yes. But no cases of harm were recorded. Therefore, the anxiety and fear of expectant parents is largely misplaced.

Medicine has not identified any harmful effects of ultrasound on the fetus.

If ultrasound does not affect the course of pregnancy, then is it so harmless for the unborn baby?

It should be remembered that an ultrasound is not an x-ray. And ultrasonic waves are not x-rays. Ultrasound diagnostics, even of the highest power, is accompanied only by local heating of body cells. And this process in the scientific literature has never yet been accompanied by further identification of fetal anomalies.

But often, during an appointment, an obstetrician-gynecologist will advise his “pregnant ward” not to go for an ultrasound without indications and direction. Especially when it comes to the early stages. There are hypotheses (although not confirmed by laboratory studies) that early intervention in the form of ultrasound examination can lead to changes in the structure of the DNA of the embryo, developmental abnormalities, cancer in the future, and even provoke a miscarriage.

There is no official confirmation of these hypotheses. Exactly the same as refutations. But each organism is individual and even the most harmless procedure can sometimes cause unforeseen consequences. No one is immune from this, but strict adherence to the doctor’s recommendations and testimony will reduce the likelihood of a threat to the health of the baby and his mother.

Is an ultrasound necessary during pregnancy?

Having heard about even the slightest danger of ultrasound examination for the fetus, a pregnant woman may refuse this procedure altogether. This is her right, but the obstetrician-gynecologist will most likely disagree with her.

The first two screenings are mandatory and contain the main information about the unborn child:

• 12-14 weeks - carried out mainly to exclude Down syndrome or other chromosomal pathology. The complex also includes tests for certain markers.
• 20-24 weeks - the size of the fetus already makes it possible to evaluate in detail its anatomical structure for the presence or absence of defects.

The third direction for ultrasound depends on the well-being of the expectant mother, the course of pregnancy and the results of the first two studies.

If a pregnant woman is not worried about anything, especially curiosity, she can easily get by with two trips to the ultrasound room. However, it should not be ignored. Modern medicine gives us such a chance to see our baby even before birth and, in case of danger, to help him. So why not take advantage of this?

Myths and truth about the dangers of ultrasound during pregnancy

Today there are 5 known myths about the harm of ultrasound on the fetus of a pregnant woman

Since future parents are not provided with reliable and official information about the dangers and safety of ultrasound diagnostics (due to the lack of this information), all sorts of rumors, “true” stories, fears begin to spread among them - in other words, myths about the dangers of ultrasound during pregnancy. Should they be debunked or are some of them actually valid? Let's see.

• MYTH No. 1. Ultrasound negatively affects the course of pregnancy and harms the fetus. There is no information to confirm or refute this. If the examinations are carried out according to the doctor’s indications and are not too frequent, there is no question of harm. An exception is ultrasound diagnostics in very early stages of pregnancy. And the reason is not the harmfulness of ultrasound, but the immaturity of the embryo’s organs, which are at the stage of formation.
• MYTH No. 2. The child experiences discomfort during an ultrasound examination. The baby is reliably protected by amniotic fluid, so he cannot suffer from ultrasonic waves - he simply does not feel them. Its activity is quite explainable by the mother’s excitement, a full bladder (which is a prerequisite for an ultrasound) and the touch of the sensor. But not painful sensations.
• MYTH No. 3. You should drink coffee before the examination. The baby's activity depends on the mother's posture - whether it is comfortable for him or not. In addition, the baby in the stomach moves almost constantly, but the mother only feels strong movements. The weaker ones are seen on ultrasound.
• MYTH No. 4. Ultrasound is unnatural. This is a subjective opinion and applies to everyone individually.
• MYTH No. 5. During an ultrasound, a child hears sound and sees light. The fact that during the examination the baby closes his eyes and ears with his hands, tugs at the umbilical cord and turns away does not mean that something is bothering him. He does this all the time. A child is playing, there are no other toys there.

In what cases is it necessary to perform an ultrasound during pregnancy?

There are a number of reasons when an ultrasound is simply necessary

In addition to mandatory examinations, the expectant mother may be referred by her obstetrician for an unscheduled ultrasound examination. The reason for this will be the well-being of the pregnant woman. If she is worried about abdominal pain, spotting, constant increased activity of the baby or, conversely, the lack of his movements, this is a reason for concern and play it safe with the help of an ultrasound.

But sometimes a pregnant woman feels well, and comments appear at the doctor’s office. For example, the size of the uterus does not correspond to the duration of pregnancy, there is a suspicion that the child is lying incorrectly, or tests are far from normal. In any of these cases, additional ultrasound will be necessary. First of all, for the baby. After all, if he is in danger, help will need to be provided immediately. And to do this, you need to find out the cause and eliminate it.

Is it worth doing an ultrasound in early pregnancy?

Ultrasound in early pregnancy involves examination up to 12 obstetric weeks. It has already been mentioned that 12-14 weeks is the time for the first screening. Why perform an ultrasound earlier than this period? After all, the fetus is not yet formed, therefore, such an examination will not be informative.

But! This is if you are already 100% sure that you are really pregnant. And if not? Then, at 5-7 weeks of the expected period, you can do an ultrasound to exclude ectopic pregnancy and the correct location of the fertilized egg (the fetal sac with a diameter of 2-3 mm can be seen already at 4 weeks and 3 days using a vaginal sensor). And at 8-9 weeks you will hear the cherished heartbeat.

More frequent monitoring is determined by the condition of the pregnant woman and the first ultrasound. After all, for example, such a diagnosis as placental abruption requires constant monitoring. Then the harm from the ultrasound itself at such an early stage fades into the background.

Is it worth doing an ultrasound in the second trimester of pregnancy?

An ultrasound scan at 18-22 weeks of pregnancy is considered the safest for the fetus.

The most optimal and safe period for performing an ultrasound examination is 18-22 weeks of pregnancy. This type of ultrasound is also called anatomical. The fruit is already large enough to be assessed for the absence/presence of defects.

If the data from such a study are normal, then the pregnant woman will no longer have to undergo additional ultrasound scans, since there will be no informational benefit from them.

Is it necessary to do an ultrasound in the third trimester of pregnancy?

In a normal pregnancy, there is no need for ultrasound monitoring in the third trimester. The only exception is the period before childbirth, when the doctor needs to know the level of placentation, how the fetus is located, what the approximate size of your baby is and whether there is any entanglement in the umbilical cord.

All this information is very important during childbirth, because the obstetrician must be prepared for anything. It should be noted that sometimes ultrasound does not provide complete information about the baby. It all depends on the equipment and on the professional skills of the ultrasound specialist.

When is the best time to do an ultrasound during pregnancy?

The most informative are the above dates for the two main (11-12 and 18-22 weeks) and the third additional (in the third trimester) screenings.

Disputes about the dangers of ultrasound: who is right (arguments against, arguments for)

There is no exact answer: is ultrasound harmful?

Suggestions that ultrasound is harmful have only recently appeared. Since before the benefits of it were so obvious and, to some extent, fantastic, that they didn’t even think about the other side.

Now there are fierce debates in the medical field and beyond: is ultrasound harmful? And how often, in what cases is it appropriate?

Arguments for"

Using ultrasound, careful monitoring of the course of pregnancy and intrauterine development of the child is carried out month by month. Namely:

• The viability of the fetus or its death is determined.
• The exact gestational age and estimated date of birth are given.
• The condition of the placenta and amniotic fluid is assessed.
• A multiple pregnancy is diagnosed. As well as possible congenital developmental pathologies and their severity.
• The baby's growth and weight gain are monitored.
• Contains information about the gender of the child.

Arguments against"

At the end of the working day, specialists who conduct ultrasound examinations feel a headache, severe fatigue and body aches. In the USSR they were even paid extra for the harmfulness of their work. But a 10-minute study cannot be compared to a full day's work. Just as the body of an unborn baby and an adult are not comparable.

Other dangers (such as the likelihood of DNA changes, cancer and developmental disorders) have not been scientifically proven and are often purely subjective opinions.

Is 3D ultrasound harmful to the fetus?

There is an opinion that 3D ultrasound waves are more powerful than conventional ultrasound, this is a myth.

3D ultrasound is a three-dimensional study that makes it possible to obtain a three-dimensional color image of the fetus as a whole and individual parts of its body. In principle, it is no longer different from a regular ultrasound.

There is an opinion that 3D ultrasonic waves are more powerful and have a negative effect on the baby’s intrauterine development. But, firstly, this has not been proven. Secondly, any ultrasound examination within 30 minutes is safe for the mother and the unborn child. Thirdly, a lot depends on the ultrasound machine itself. The main thing is not to abuse this diagnosis for the sake of curiosity or “just because.”

Long-term consequences of ultrasound

Since this kind of research is relatively new in obstetric practice, its long-term consequences are not yet known. In addition, the lack of “purity of the experiment” will prevent them from being determined. Indeed, genetics and environmental influences should also be added to the sources of potential danger to the health and development of a child.

You can debate for a long time on the topic “is ultrasound harmful during pregnancy and does it affect the fetus” and still not come to a common decision. But, if it is accepted, it will most likely be purely subjective. After all, each organism is individual, as is the influence on it. You just have to remember that nothing in medicine is absolutely safe. And if you neglect the recommendations of doctors, the consequences will not keep you waiting.

How an ultrasound scan is performed during pregnancy, what you need to remember when preparing for routine diagnostics, what questions to ask the doctor based on the examination results - read our article 10 important rules for conducting an ultrasound scan during pregnancy.

Ultrasound during pregnancy: important rules

Keep an eye on deadlines

First of all, carefully monitor your gestational age and go for an ultrasound examination exactly when it was prescribed by the doctor leading your pregnancy. Because as a result of each of the three planned ultrasounds, the doctor excludes certain pathologies of the child’s development.

Choose a clinic for ultrasound

Spare no expense and get an ultrasound done in a good clinic using a modern machine. To do this, take the time to find out reviews about the clinic, equipment and doctors who perform ultrasounds during pregnancy.

Think over timing issues for ultrasound during pregnancy

First of all, coordinate the time with your husband if he also wants to be present during the procedure. Plan your time so that you get to the clinic 10-15 minutes before the appointed time, because most likely you will have to fill out a card or some other documents.

Think through the organizational issues of ultrasound during pregnancy

Check with the clinic for directions, as well as what things and documents you need to take with you. Prepare your money. Dress comfortably so that you can quickly expose your tummy. Just in case, take paper tissues with you to wipe off the gel. And also a disposable diaper if you are going for an ultrasound not to a private clinic, but to a regular local clinic.

Don't forget about hygiene before going for an ultrasound

A shower, clean underwear and socks, as well as neat clothes are natural hygiene standards for visiting any doctor. Ultrasound during pregnancy is no exception.

Don't forget your pregnant woman's exchange card

Also, take copies of previous ultrasounds with you, if you had any. The doctor will likely want to review these documents, compare ultrasound results during pregnancy, and make recommendations if necessary.

Prepare answers to questions

During your pregnancy ultrasound, your doctor will likely ask you several questions. Be ready to call

• first day of last menstruation,
• duration of menstruation,
• what kind of births are there?
• how previous pregnancies ended,
• how much the child/children weighed at birth,
• Are there any congenital pathologies in the family, for example, heart defects?

Prepare not to panic

Be calm and take care of yourself and your child under any circumstances. During an ultrasound, they can (but very rarely!) reveal pathologies in the development of a child. Your task is not to panic and double-check everything carefully. How to double check?

Yes, it’s very simple: undergo an ultrasound again from another specialist, a more specialized one, specializing specifically in your problems. As a rule, in cases of suspicion of any pathology, the expectant mother is sent for further examination either to the PAH or to OKHMATDIT.

According to the law, a private clinic cannot refute a serious diagnosis. It is also necessary to find out what tests and when to take to refute the diagnosis. These questions can be answered either by your local doctor or by the person who performed the ultrasound examination.

Find out more research

Find out what additional tests the clinic offers during your time period. In the early and middle stages of pregnancy, ultrasound is recommended to be done synchronously with genetic blood screenings - at 14-16 weeks and at 18-20 weeks - the so-called PRISCA of the first and second trimesters.

Comparison of data obtained from ultrasound and blood biochemistry data makes it possible to exclude major genetic pathologies with almost one hundred percent probability.

In the third trimester, along with ultrasound, Doppler measurements are also performed - the speed of blood flow in the vessels of the fetus and mother is determined, and the functionality of the umbilical cord is monitored. And during cardiotocography, the baby’s heart rate is recorded.

Ultrasound during pregnancy: a good doctor will tell the truth

Victoria Maksimova, obstetrician-gynecologist, deputy chief physician for outpatient work at the ISIDA clinic, comments:

“The obstetrician-gynecologist has a double responsibility: both for the life of the mother and for the life of the child. This is the specificity of our profession.
Such a doctor must be a “professional squared away.” And along with this, he is also a good psychologist - so that the patient trusts him. This means being able to listen, be compassionate, and be merciful.
Of course, midwifery is more about positive emotions. However, situations are different.
I believe that a doctor should always tell the truth. But this should be done gently, tactfully, perhaps through relatives. In each specific case, an individual approach is important, because all people are different.
As a doctor with extensive experience, I always know how to behave with a patient - as soon as she crosses the threshold. I try to convey information in an accessible way, because it is very important that my interlocutor understands everything correctly. This result can be achieved if a woman sees that the doctor is not indifferent to her problem.”

To diagnose their patients, many doctors refer them to ultrasound. This modern diagnostic method allows you to determine the condition of any internal organs - stomach, liver, heart and many others. The use of this research method began several decades ago, but the question still remains open: is it harmful to repeat ultrasound many times, even if treatment requires it? Theoretically, the frequency of ultrasound used does not affect the abdominal organs or any other organs, but some scientists still doubt this.

Why do you need an ultrasound and how often is it done?

Ultrasound diagnostic examination is in great demand in many areas of medicine, therefore it is used in the treatment of the pelvic organs, thoracic area and heart, kidneys and liver, and ultrasound is also required during pregnancy. For example, with its help, doctors identify diseases in the initial stages of development, which is especially important for cancer tumors, kidney stones or metastases. In such cases, no one thinks whether it is harmful to do ultrasound twice in a row for 1-2 weeks, since the main goal is to identify and monitor the development of the disease.

Examples of the beneficial effects of this research:

• Using ultrasound of the thyroid gland or mammary glands, doctors monitor the size, shape, and degree of possible inflammation that needs to be treated.
• Thanks to this research, scientists have learned how to perform artificial insemination.

The frequency of ultrasound diagnostics depends on individual factors. When treating oncological diseases, ultrasound sometimes has to be repeated every other week or done 2 times every week, and in case of kidney damage, an examination is required first to identify it, and then after the course of treatment for control.

Video

Can an ultrasound be harmful?

It is impossible to say for sure whether frequent ultrasound examinations are harmful. Often, the harm from it is associated with thermal and mechanical effects on the body. Opponents of this diagnostic method note that ultrasonic vibrations cause the formation of cancer cells, which is due to the chaotic work of healthy cells during the examination.

It should be noted that this statement has no scientific basis.

Other opponents of ultrasound diagnostics talk about the destructive effect aimed at body tissues, especially with frequent ultrasound scans (mostly, we are talking about weekly). This statement is generally at odds with the laws of physics. If the research were to have a destructive effect on tissue, it would affect the skin, which has direct contact with the device. Burns or eczema would appear, but nothing like that happens.

No one will answer you how often you can repeat an ultrasound without harm to your health. Doctors determine the need to repeat the examination depending on the diagnosis and health status of the patient. For some, regular examinations are recommended due to other factors. Thus, women over 50 are recommended to undergo ultrasound diagnostics of the mammary glands of the breast and uterus annually. And if complaints arise, an unscheduled examination is required.

Scientists are constantly conducting research to prove or disprove the effects of ultrasound on human bodies, but so far no obvious negative effect has been identified.

Is ultrasound harmful during pregnancy?

During an ultrasound examination, high-frequency waves pass through the tissues of a pregnant woman's body, reflecting off them and returning back. The signal is converted into electrical energy, and a specific image is displayed on the screen. There is also a more complex 4D ultrasound of the fetus, which allows you to obtain three-dimensional and even color images. Most often it is done during pregnancy, when mothers want to examine the fetus from all sides and record a video on a medium.

There is an opinion that 3D and 4D ultrasound examinations are harmful during pregnancy, as they require the use of a higher frequency of waves, and this negatively affects the developing baby. This raises the question of whether it is harmful to do an ultrasound in the early stages. The danger is as follows:

• In a woman's body and in her fetus there are tiny cavities filled with gas.
• When ultrasonic waves pass through them, the cavities can burst.

It is safe for adults, but when studied in the initial stages, for example, at 4 weeks, it can be harmful.

Also, under the influence of ultrasound, the cells warm up slightly due to the water content. It is still unknown for sure how the rupture of the smallest bubbles and the heating of the cells will affect the embryo that has just begun to form.

Foreign doctors speak negatively about whether it is possible to do an ultrasound in the initial stages of pregnancy or after childbirth while breastfeeding. Exceptions include certain indications. As for doctors in our country and in the post-Soviet space as a whole, they, for the most part, have nothing against such early studies and prescribe them even in the first weeks. At the same time, few people think about whether it is harmful to do an ultrasound in one case or another?

Ultrasound examinations of children

Now let’s find out how harmful it is to frequently do ultrasounds for children, since many parents are interested in this issue. In fact, a child may need an ultrasound examination just like an adult for various diseases and disorders in the body. To monitor the dynamics of child development or even initially identify a deviation, the doctor can write out a referral for an ultrasound scan for the child.

In some situations, ultrasound examination is required even for infants if pediatricians suspect any abnormalities. There is nothing dangerous or unusual in this, especially if the examination is carried out once a month or even less often.

Repeating the diagnosis more frequently could theoretically be harmful, but there is no real scientific evidence for this.

There are some situations in which ultrasound is not inherently harmful, but simply causes discomfort or produces inaccurate results. For example, women often wonder whether it is harmful to have an ultrasound of the pelvis or kidneys during menstruation. There are no strict contraindications, but doctors still advise undergoing examination only in emergency cases.

This is explained by the following facts:

• during menstruation, blood with clots collects in the uterus, which can prevent a specialist from examining various types of pathology;
• Also, during bleeding, the smallest formations, including cysts or polyps, may be invisible.

Thus, it is possible to undergo an ultrasound examination during menstruation and this is not harmful, but it can prevent the correct diagnosis.

A fairly popular question is whether it is possible to do an ultrasound if you have a cold or fever. In this case, the examination will not do any harm either, but the results in some cases may be distorted. This is especially true for examining the thyroid gland, which becomes slightly inflamed in any acute respiratory infection and acute respiratory viral infection, and single nodules may appear on it, which disappear after recovery.

Ultrasound of the pelvis and prostate can be harmful when the patient needs to fill the bladder. This applies to people who have undergone surgery on the urinary system or have urinary incontinence.

To summarize, we note that in general, ultrasound examination of internal organs, as well as the developing fetus, during pregnancy cannot be harmful if you follow a few simple rules that you now know about.