Here Is Everything To Know About Ultrasound Scans
- Ayo AL
- December 18, 2017
- Health
- benefits of scans, facts about ultrasound scans, Facts About Ultrasound Scans For Women |, why every woman should do a scan
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Ultrasound scans use sound waves to build a picture of the baby in the womb. The scans are completely painless, have no known side effects on mothers or babies, and can be carried out at any stage of pregnancy.
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For many women, ultrasound scans are the sweetest part of pregnancy. It’s very exciting to see and be able to monitor your baby in the womb, often moving his or her hands and legs.
Here is everything you need to know about scans.
1. What is the procedure of a scan?
Most scans are carried out by specially trained staff called sonographers. The procedure is carried out in a dimly lit room so the sonographer is able to get good images of your baby.
You will first be asked to lie on a couch. You will then be asked to lower your skirt or trousers to your hips and raise your top to your chest.
The sonographer will put ultrasound gel on your tummy and tuck tissue paper around your clothing to protect it from the gel. The gel makes sure there is good contact between the machine and your skin.
The sonographer passes a handheld device called a probe over your skin. It is this probe that sends out ultrasound waves and picks them up when they bounce back.
A black and white picture of the baby will appear on the ultrasound screen. During the examination, sonographers need to keep the screen in a position that gives them a good view of the baby – either directly facing them or at an angle.
2. How long does a scan take?
A scan usually takes around 20 minutes. However, the sonographer may not be able to get good views if your baby is lying in an awkward position or moving around a lot.
3. Will an ultrasound scan harm me or my baby?
There are no known risks to the baby or the mother from having an ultrasound scan, but it is important that you consider carefully whether to have the scan or not.
4. When is a scan done?
Hospitals offer all pregnant women at least two ultrasound scans during their pregnancy at 8 to 14 weeks, and between 18 and 21 weeks.
The first scan is sometimes called the dating scan. The sonographer estimates when your baby is due based on the baby’s measurements.
The second scan offered to all pregnant women is called the anomaly scan, or mid-pregnancy scan, and usually takes place between 18 and 21 weeks of pregnancy. This scan checks for structural abnormalities in the baby.
5. Why is it important?
An ultrasound scan can be used to:
- check your baby’s size
- check whether you’re having more than one baby
- detect some abnormalities
- show the position of your baby and the placenta
