Ultra sound is a medical procedure that works by using high-frequency sound waves to examine internal organs in a patient but mostly carried out for pregnant women.
It scans female pelvic cavity and abdomen to form a picture of the fetus and placenta.
Sonogram and ultrasound are the terms different form one another but commonly used interchangeably to refer to the same exam.
It detects any malfunctioning, abnormality or defects related with the fetus.
These are usually used in combination with other tests to confirm the diagnosis.
Why Ultra sound It is highly important to get scans every three months during pregnancy.
Since it is nearly impossible to observe the fetus position, condition and other factors inside womb of mother, the scan makes it clearer to examine in order to find out any abnormalities.
The gynecologist is thus able to treat any complication prior to its severe damage.
So it can safely be said, that ultra sound is a must during every pregnancy but under the supervision of an expert.
What is the procedure? Ultrasound is performed by applying gel on abdomen.
This works as a conductor for sound waves, allowing them to permeate inside.
The expert then uses a device to produce sound waves into the uterus of the woman.
These waves bounce off tissues and bones returning back to that device while generating black and white images of the fetus developing inside.
The types Seven different ultra sound tests are taken.
The basic process remains the same in all types.
A brief description of each is given below: Standard Ultrasound It uses a device over the abdominal area to create two-dimensional (2-D) images of the fetus developing inside.
Advanced Ultra Sound This test is similar to the standard one but it is carried out by using more equipment to target a problem that is suspected by expert doctor.
3-D Ultrasound As the name suggests, it give three-dimensional images of the fetus in the womb.
For that purpose, specially designed probes and software is taken help from to complete the process.
Dynamic 3 D Ultra sound Also known as 4-D, it is more advanced and clearer than 2 or 3 D images.
There are specially designed scanning machines for that.
It is taken in the last stage of pregnancy to observe the face and movement of the baby before delivery.
Trans vaginal Scans To generate images, probe transducers are used inside vagina.
Usually it is taken in the pregnancy that is at earlier stage.
Echocardiography (Heart Ultrasound) Fetal echocardiography uses ultrasound waves to evaluate anatomy and functioning of baby heart.
It also helps assess any suspected congenital cardiac defects in the fetus, thus held really important in the medical procedures related to female reproduction.
Once a defect has been diagnosed, relevant treatment is given with along with lifestyle modification and necessary preventions from certain medications, foods and activities.
Doppler Ultrasound This procedure actually measures changes in the frequency of ultrasound waves when they bounce off moving objects.
This imaging examines blood cells.
Gynecologists recommend, when and which type of scan is needed in order to make the right diagnosis of any complicated condition.