ULTRASOUND OF EARLY PREGNANCY SCAN

Ultrasound of Early Pregnancy Overview

Ultrasound of early pregnancy, or obstetric ultrasound, is a medical imaging procedure to view the embryo or foetus at early stages of pregnancy. It is a non-invasive procedure that utilizes high frequency sound waves to obtain images of the developing foetus, placenta, and uterus during the early stages of pregnancy. 

Preparing for the Test 

To get an ultrasound of early pregnancy, the patient must follow some instructions from their health care provider. Generally, no preparation is needed, but it is best to do the following: 

• Have someone restrict your eating before the test. 
• Wears loose & comfortable attire that offers easy access to the abdomen 
• Have your bladder full to offer a clearer view of the uterus by raising the intestines out of the way 

What is an Ultrasound of Early Pregnancy? 

An ultrasound of early pregnancy is accomplished using transducers, devices that convert electrical frequencies to high-frequency sound waves. When placed on the pregnant woman’s abdomen, the transducers emit high-frequency sound waves into the body, which are reflected off internal structures as echoes. These echoes are processed and transformed into images of the foetus, placenta, and uterus. 

Types of Ultrasound of Early Pregnancy 

There are other types of these examinations, but the two main types of ultrasounds performed during early pregnancy stage includes: 

• Transabdominal ultrasound: The most accepted method, the transducer is placed over the abdomen. 
• Transvaginal ultrasound: This technique employs a vaginal probe to get more accurate images of the cervix and uterus. 

List of Parameters Considered During the Ultrasound of Early Pregnancy.

A health practitioner expects to see the following during the ultrasound of early pregnancy: 

• Heartbeat and movement of the foetus. 
• Size of the foetus and age of pregnancy. 
• Position and maturity of the placenta. 
• Shape and size of the uterus. 
• Level of amniotic fluid. 

Reasons for Conducting Ultrasound of Early Pregnancy

Some people prefer to term this as a scanning test because an ultrasound of early pregnancy is usually done to: 

• Rule positive pregnancy detection along with any negative developments within the foetus. 
• Measure the period of gestation and when the baby is due to be born. 
• Detect cases of multiple pregnancy such as twins or triplets. 
• Check for ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage. 
• Check foetal maturity. 

When and Who Needs to Take an Ultrasound of Early Pregnancy? 

Women receive an early pregnancy ultrasound for the following reasons: 

• They are booking an appointment due to vaginal spotting or bleeding in early pregnancy. 
• They have a prior history of miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy. 
• They have multiple pregnancies (twins or triplets). 
• They suffer from specific medical conditions like diabetic or hypertensive. 
• Their age or family history predisposes them to can lead to chromosomal abnormalities. 

Benefits of Taking the Test

In performing an ultrasound during the early stages of pregnancy, some benefits include: 

• Determining with great accuracy the gestational age and the dates the baby is scheduled to be born. 
• Noting probably deviations from the normal course of the development of the foetus or the pregnancy. 
• Tracking the progress of foetus growth. 
• Improving the bond between the mother and child even before birth. 

Illnesses Diagnosed with Ultrasound of Early Pregnancy

An ultrasound of early pregnancy can reveal various conditions which may include these ones: 

• Ectopic Pregnancy 
• Miscarriage 
• Foetal defects or abnormalities. 
• Placental abnormalities or Placenta Previa. 
• Pregnancies over twins (Multiple pregnancies including twins, triplets, and so on.) 

Preparing for an Ultrasound of Early Pregnancy

• Following any specific instructions provided by your physician is mandatory as the first step towards getting an ultrasound. 
• After that, you should wear secondary loose and comfortable pieces of clothing that permits easy access to the midsection and so forth. 
• The next step would be having a complete bladder, as this assists in positioning the intestines out of the way while enabling a clearer picture of the womb. 

Pre-requisites 

There are no known requirements for undergoing an ultrasound of early pregnancy. Some recommendations include the following to: 

• Ensure one is at least six to eight weeks pregnant 
• Have a confirmed pregnancy test. 

Best Time to Take the Test 

The recommended timeline for an ultrasound of early pregnancy is within 6-12 weeks, however, wherever within this scope is manageable based on each individual circumstance should be perfectly reasonable. 

Eligibility 

Almost and/or arguably all individuals who are pregnant qualify for an ultrasound of early pregnancy. However, these women are expected to be from all age and health statuses. That said, certain medical conditions or concerns may require additional specialized ultrasounds. 

Procedure for Taking an Ultrasound of Early Pregnancy 

In this section, we will focus on the details and steps involved in early pregnancy ultrasound. Usually, the following steps must be followed: 

• The patient is required to lie on their back on the examination table with their abdomen exposed. 
• A clear gel must be applied to the abdomen region of the patient. 
• A transducer must be used for the emission of sound waves which possess a very high frequency. 
• Sound waves must be captured to take images of the foetus, placenta, as well as the uterus. 
• Lastly, the images taken must be examined along with a healthcare provider. 

Caution Before Taking the Test 

When preparing for an ultrasound of early pregnancy, these steps must also be completed: 

• Speak to your doctor about any outstanding medical issues or conditions that need clarification. 
• If you notice any symptoms or issues such as vaginal bleeding or spotting, report them. 
• Refrain from applying any cream or lotions in the abdominal region for some time.