Ultrasound in PregnancyUltrasound in Pregnancy

DefinitionDefinition

The most well known application of The most well known application of ultrasound is its use in ultrasound is its use in sonographysonography to  to produce pictures of fetuses in the produce pictures of fetuses in the human womb. human womb.

Types of UltrasoundTypes of Ultrasound

Conventional ultrasoundConventional ultrasound displays the displays the images in thin, flat sections of the images in thin, flat sections of the body. body. Advancements in ultrasoundAdvancements in ultrasound technology include three-dimensional technology include three-dimensional (3-D) ultrasound that formats the (3-D) ultrasound that formats the sound wave data into 3-D images. sound wave data into 3-D images. Four-dimensional (4-D) ultrasound is Four-dimensional (4-D) ultrasound is 3-D ultrasound in motion.3-D ultrasound in motion.

Doppler UltrasoundDoppler Ultrasound

Doppler ultrasoundDoppler ultrasound  is a special ultrasound technique that is a special ultrasound technique that evaluates blood flow through a blood vessel, including the evaluates blood flow through a blood vessel, including the body's major arteries and veins in the abdomen, arms, legs and body's major arteries and veins in the abdomen, arms, legs and neck.neck.

There are three types of Doppler ultrasound:There are three types of Doppler ultrasound: Color DoppleColor Dopplerr uses a computer to convert Doppler  uses a computer to convert Doppler

measurements into an array of colors to visualize the speed and measurements into an array of colors to visualize the speed and direction of blood flow through a blood vessel.direction of blood flow through a blood vessel.

Power DopplerPower Doppler  is a newer technique that is more sensitive is a newer technique that is more sensitive than color Doppler and capable of providing greater detail of than color Doppler and capable of providing greater detail of blood flow, especially when blood flow is little or minimal. Power blood flow, especially when blood flow is little or minimal. Power Doppler, however, does not help the radiologist determine the Doppler, however, does not help the radiologist determine the direction of blood flow, which may be important in some direction of blood flow, which may be important in some situations.situations.

Spectral Doppler.Spectral Doppler. Instead of displaying Doppler measurements Instead of displaying Doppler measurements visually, Spectral Doppler displays blood flow measurements visually, Spectral Doppler displays blood flow measurements graphically, in terms of the distance traveled per unit of time.graphically, in terms of the distance traveled per unit of time.

Ultrasound in the First Ultrasound in the First TrimesterTrimester

Advantages of Using Advantages of Using Ultrasound in First TrimestreUltrasound in First Trimestre

Check your baby’s heartbeatCheck your baby’s heartbeat Show single or multiple pregnanciesShow single or multiple pregnancies Date your pregnancy by measuring the baby Date your pregnancy by measuring the baby

and measure the baby’s growth over a and measure the baby’s growth over a several scansseveral scans

Check for causes of bleedingCheck for causes of bleeding Check for ectopic pregnancyCheck for ectopic pregnancy Examine the baby and its organsExamine the baby and its organs Potentially reveal the baby’s gendePotentially reveal the baby’s gende

Five Week Pregnant Five Week Pregnant UltrasoundUltrasound

About one week after your missed period, your pregnancy will be visible on About one week after your missed period, your pregnancy will be visible on ultrasound. At this point, it is a small fluid collection called a gestational ultrasound. At this point, it is a small fluid collection called a gestational sac. It is just 2/10 of an inch in diameter and lies within the lining of the sac. It is just 2/10 of an inch in diameter and lies within the lining of the uterus known as the deciduas. (See Below.) Even though the baby is still uterus known as the deciduas. (See Below.) Even though the baby is still too small to see, this first visual proof of the developing pregnancy is very too small to see, this first visual proof of the developing pregnancy is very exciting. exciting.

Six Week Pregnant Six Week Pregnant UltrasoundUltrasound

A week later, the baby is finally visible on ultrasound. (See Below.) At this A week later, the baby is finally visible on ultrasound. (See Below.) At this point, it appears as a tiny oval blip approximately a tenth of an inch in point, it appears as a tiny oval blip approximately a tenth of an inch in length (about the width of a sunflower seed). The regular flicker of a length (about the width of a sunflower seed). The regular flicker of a

heartbeat is first visible on the screenheartbeat is first visible on the screen. .    

Nine Weeks Pregnant Nine Weeks Pregnant UltrasoundUltrasound

At nine weeks, your baby will be 9/10 of an inch in length–about At nine weeks, your baby will be 9/10 of an inch in length–about the size of a grape. The baby is also quite active at this stage, but the size of a grape. The baby is also quite active at this stage, but you won't be able to feel any movements for at least 10 more you won't be able to feel any movements for at least 10 more

weeksweeks.  . 

Ten Weeks Pregnant Ten Weeks Pregnant Ultrasound Ultrasound

By week 10, all of your baby's vital organs have been formed and are starting to work By week 10, all of your baby's vital organs have been formed and are starting to work together.together.

As external changes such as the separation of fingers and toes and the As external changes such as the separation of fingers and toes and the disappearance of the tail takes place, internal developments are taking place too. disappearance of the tail takes place, internal developments are taking place too. Tooth buds form inside the mouth, and if you're having a boy, his testes will begin Tooth buds form inside the mouth, and if you're having a boy, his testes will begin producing the male hormone testosterone.producing the male hormone testosterone.

Congenital abnormalities are unlikely to develop after week 10. This also marks the Congenital abnormalities are unlikely to develop after week 10. This also marks the end of the embryonic period — in general, the embryo now has a distinctly human end of the embryonic period — in general, the embryo now has a distinctly human appearance and starting next week your baby will officially be considered a fetusappearance and starting next week your baby will officially be considered a fetus

Eleven Week Pregnant Eleven Week Pregnant UltrasoundUltrasound

Currently, at 17 weeks pregnant, Currently, at 17 weeks pregnant, your baby is approximately 4.5″ – your baby is approximately 4.5″ – 5.5″ long, and weighs in at 4-5 5.5″ long, and weighs in at 4-5 ounces. ounces.

Twelve Week Pregnant Twelve Week Pregnant UltrasoundUltrasound

Your baby's brain continues to develop, and tiny fingernails and toenails start to Your baby's brain continues to develop, and tiny fingernails and toenails start to form. Vocal cords are formed this week, which is the last of your first trimester.form. Vocal cords are formed this week, which is the last of your first trimester.

Your baby's kidneys are functioning! After swallowing amniotic fluid, your baby will Your baby's kidneys are functioning! After swallowing amniotic fluid, your baby will now be able to pass it out of the body as urine. And the intestines will make their way now be able to pass it out of the body as urine. And the intestines will make their way into the abdomen, since there is room for them now.into the abdomen, since there is room for them now.

Thirteen Weeks Pregnant Thirteen Weeks Pregnant UltrasoundUltrasound

By 13 weeks, the baby is three inches long, measured from the By 13 weeks, the baby is three inches long, measured from the top of the head to the bottom of the rump. (About the size of a top of the head to the bottom of the rump. (About the size of a small peach.) This represents a 30-fold increase in length in the small peach.) This represents a 30-fold increase in length in the seven-week interval from six to 13 weeks gestationseven-week interval from six to 13 weeks gestation..

  

Fourteen Week Pregnant Fourteen Week Pregnant UltrasoundUltrasound

It’s a BoyIt’s a Boy

Fourteen Weeks Pregnant Fourteen Weeks Pregnant UltrasoundUltrasound

It’s a girlIt’s a girl

Sixteen Weeks Pregnant Sixteen Weeks Pregnant UltrasoundUltrasound

Your baby now weighs about 3.9 ounces (110 grams) and measures about Your baby now weighs about 3.9 ounces (110 grams) and measures about 4.7 inches (12 cm) in length from crown to rump. Your baby can hold his or 4.7 inches (12 cm) in length from crown to rump. Your baby can hold his or her head erect, and the development of facial muscles allows for a variety her head erect, and the development of facial muscles allows for a variety of expressions, such as squinting and frowning. of expressions, such as squinting and frowning.

Twenty Weeks Pregnant Twenty Weeks Pregnant UltrasoundUltrasound

You're halfway there! Twenty weeks into your pregnancy, your baby has grown You're halfway there! Twenty weeks into your pregnancy, your baby has grown significantly from that first dividing cell and now weighs about 11 ounces (312 grams) significantly from that first dividing cell and now weighs about 11 ounces (312 grams) and measures about 6.3 inches (16 cm) from crown to rump. The baby is taking up and measures about 6.3 inches (16 cm) from crown to rump. The baby is taking up increasing room in your uterus, and continued growth will put pressure on your lungs, increasing room in your uterus, and continued growth will put pressure on your lungs, stomach, bladder, and kidneys.stomach, bladder, and kidneys.

Under the vernix caseosa (a protective, waxy coating), your baby's skin is thickening Under the vernix caseosa (a protective, waxy coating), your baby's skin is thickening and developing layers. Hair and nail growth continue.and developing layers. Hair and nail growth continue.

Thirty-two Weeks Pregnant Thirty-two Weeks Pregnant UltrasoundUltrasound

The final touches are being placed on your baby masterpiece. Eyelashes, eyebrows, The final touches are being placed on your baby masterpiece. Eyelashes, eyebrows, and the hair on your baby's head are evident. The lanugand the hair on your baby's head are evident. The lanugoo hair that has covered your hair that has covered your baby since the beginning of the second trimester is falling off, although some may baby since the beginning of the second trimester is falling off, although some may remain on the shoulders and back at birth.remain on the shoulders and back at birth.

At about 4 pounds (1,800 grams) and 11.4 inches (29 cm) from crown to rump, your At about 4 pounds (1,800 grams) and 11.4 inches (29 cm) from crown to rump, your baby wouldbaby would

have an excellent chance of survival outside the womb if you delivered nowhave an excellent chance of survival outside the womb if you delivered now..

Thirty-six Weeks Pregnant Thirty-six Weeks Pregnant UltrasoundUltrasound

The wrinkly, tiny fetus you may have seen on earlier ultrasounds has given way to an almost plump baby. The wrinkly, tiny fetus you may have seen on earlier ultrasounds has given way to an almost plump baby. There is fat on your baby’s cheeks, and powerful sucking muscles also contribute to your baby's full face. There is fat on your baby’s cheeks, and powerful sucking muscles also contribute to your baby's full face.

Your baby now weighs a little under 6 pounds (2,721 grams).Your baby now weighs a little under 6 pounds (2,721 grams). The bones that make up your baby’s skull can move relative to one another and overlap each other while The bones that make up your baby’s skull can move relative to one another and overlap each other while

your baby’s head is inside your pelvis. This phenomenon is called molding, and it helps the baby pass your baby’s head is inside your pelvis. This phenomenon is called molding, and it helps the baby pass through the birth canal. Don't be surprised if your baby arrives with a pointy or misshapen head! After a through the birth canal. Don't be surprised if your baby arrives with a pointy or misshapen head! After a few hours or days, your baby's head will be back to a rounded shapefew hours or days, your baby's head will be back to a rounded shape . .

ReferencesReferences http://www.justthefactsbaby.comhttp://www.justthefactsbaby.com http://www.medicinenet.com/http://www.medicinenet.com/

fetal_development_pictures_slideshofetal_development_pictures_slideshow/article.htm w/article.htm

http://kidshealth.org http://kidshealth.org www.google.com www.google.com