What to Expect During Antenatal Scans in Pregnancy

 

Antenatal scans in pregnancy have a major role in ensuring the optimum health of the mother and the child. It will check on the maternal and fetal health during pregnancy.

 

These scans offer vital information regarding the health of the unborn baby and depict the progress of the baby during the entire pregnancy. It will also hint at any complications that might occur during the delivery. This blog will explore the varied scans that are performed during pregnancy which are all part of pregnancy care.

 

Meaning of antenatal scan in pregnancy

 

An antenatal scan in pregnancy is a routine of the general medical examination. It uses ultrasound technology to check the growth and development of the unborn baby. This is also a type of ultrasound scan that highly relies upon the sound waves that are generated back from the baby. It will create an image on the monitor that is displayed to see the growth of the baby in regular check-ups.

 

In common scenarios, there are a lot of scans that are conducted on pregnant women to understand their health as well is the fetus’s health to ensure that the growth of the baby is smooth and good.

 

Different scans during pregnancy

 

There is a long list of scans that are performed for the health benefits of the mother and child during pregnancy. Some of them are

 

Dating scan:

 

A dating scan is performed during the early days of the pregnancy. It is conducted during the 8th and the 14th week of pregnancy. This is regarded as a vital test to provide essential information regarding the due date and also to understand the gestational age of the baby. This can also verify multiple pregnancies and undermines the position of the baby in the womb.

 

Invasive prenatal testing (NIPT):

 

The results of this scan represent any scope for potential harm. It is either conducted when a midwife or a doctor or midwife suggests it.

 

This scan also includes a lot of processes such as amniocentesis or chorionic villus for testing the genetic situation. Although this scan is more invasive in comparison to other scans, it still offers the in-depth result that is required to understand the baby’s health.

 

Screening Test:

 

Screening test is often used to decipher conditions such as down-syndrome or other potential genetic disorders or condition in the fetus. These tests are highly beneficial in understanding the growth and other health condition of the baby and it also offers clear information regarding any potential risk to the baby’s life.

 

Ultrasound Scans:

 

An ultrasound scan is regarded as the most common type of test that is conducted during the pregnancy of women. It is conducted between the 18 to 21 weeks of pregnancy. It provides details regarding the growth of the baby and details about its abnormalities. This test is most commonly used to read the gestational age of the baby in the womb.

 

How an antenatal scan is performed?

 

Most of the antenatal scans in pregnancy were quick and did not take more than 30 minutes. The gel is applied to the abdomen of the mother in a dimly lit room. This is done to get a clear image of the ultrasound device.

 

The gel might at times be cold. This is often regarded as a crucial step to ensure that the machine is functioning properly to provide the accurate image. Once the sound waves are reflected back from the child, the doctor or midwife will scan the different areas of the body to get the best view of the fetus.

 

How does the scan take place?

 

An ultrasound scan makes use of a device. This device is called a transducer. It is moved over the skin of the individual in high frequency. This will collect and generate sound waves.

 

These sound waves bounce from the structure of the body and the echoes are moulded to reflect an image. It is also possible that with the advancement of technology and antenatal scans; even the blood flow of the baby’s vessels can be more visible.

 

Importance of the antenatal scan

 

These antenatal scans are vital for understanding the growth and functions of the unborn baby on a monitor. It will allow the healthcare practitioner to recognize any form of deformity or growth issues that might hamper the child. The midwife might make use of the details to scan and record every stage of growth of the fetus in the womb.

 

The antenatal scan is said to be one of the major medical parts of pregnancy care.  It will offer all the essential details pertaining to the growth and safe delivery of the baby from the womb. Scanning is a vital process to be undertaken. This is to ensure complete growth and proper wellness and health of the child.

 

It offers essential information regarding the development, health, and overall well-being of the baby. This is often one of the most essential steps in pregnant health care as it will help in early diagnosis of the issue and also attempt to resolve it at the earliest.

 

Read more: What you need to know about antenatal scans for pregnancy

 

FAQs

 

When dating scan conducted?

The best time to perform a dating scan is during the 8th and the 14th week of pregnancy. This is an important scan that will decide and fix the due date for the pregnancy. It is also an essential part of the early prenatal care.

Are ultrasound scans risky?

No! Ultrasounds are some of the common and regular scans that are undertaken during pregnancy. It is completely safe and totally non-invasive in any manner. The sound waves in the scan does not cause any harm to the unborn baby.

Are all birth defects detected in screening tests?

Screen tests are prescribed to detect more of the birth defects and genetic disorders. They still are not completely developed to detect all the birth defects present. The doctor or midwife can suggest some other tools and techniques that are useful in detecting all the difficulties in the pregnancy.