Every healthy woman in a normal pregnancy has to undergo abdominal ultrasound tests during her pregnancy term. Medical experts suggest that the prenatal visits of the pregnant woman must be normally planned every month till 32 to 34 weeks; then once in two weeks until 36 weeks; and finally every week up to the delivery date.
An abdominal ultrasound during pregnancy is an important tool which provides critical information to the gynecologist or obstetrician about the child’s growth status and its evaluation in the womb. Some of the main reasons for undertaking an ultrasound testing during the first trimester are:
• to substantiate and monitor fetal viability (whether the fetus is alive)
• to ascertain gestational age
An abdominal ultrasound for gestational age is usually recommended if the pregnant woman’s last menstrual period was unsure or if she has had a record of unpredictable and irregular periods. Another main reason for it to be conducted is if the initial pelvic examination taken formerly had indicated a gestational age unlike the one showed by the last menstruation. In some cases an abdominal ultrasound is also recommended if ppregnancy took place despite the use of oral contraceptives.
One might not need an abdominal ultrasound if there are no grounds for danger, prevailing risk factors or indications that might point to future pregnancy complications. If you have a history of regular menstruation and you are certain about the date of your last menstrual period you might not need an abdominal ultrasound. However, the doctor is usually the best judge to determine the need for an ultrasound.
During an abdominal ultrasound an image is obtained, when a transducer is slid over the abdomen. If a higher resolution is necessary to observe the small size of the fetus during the first trimester, the gynecologist or obstetrician might suggest a vaginal approach to examine the fetus. However in an abdominal ultrasound, gel is applied on the abdomen and a transducer slides over the thin translucent membrane on the abdomen to produce the image.
Abdominal ultrasound is a safe technique and has been used for a number of years with a host of improvements and refinements to perfect the technique over the years. It supplies important information for both the parents and the healthcare providers in order to help and administer care for the pregnant mother and the fetus. Moreover, an abdominal ultrasound also provides parents an unusual opportunity to view how their baby is being formed before birth, encouraging them to connect and establish an early bonding.