US PREGNANCY INTERVAL GROWTH SCAN WITH BPP AND DOPPLER

A Fetal Growth & Wellbeing Scan is a specialized ultrasound examination that uses high-frequency sound waves to create live, detailed images of your baby, the placenta, and the surrounding amniotic fluid. It is a completely safe procedure that provides vital information without using any radiation.

The scan typically includes three main components:

• Growth Scan: This involves taking precise measurements of your baby's head, abdomen, and limbs to estimate their size and weight, ensuring they are growing at a healthy rate.
• Biophysical Profile (BPP): This acts as a "health check-up" for the baby. It assesses five key markers of well-being: body movements, muscle tone, breathing movements, heart rate, and the volume of amniotic fluid.
• Doppler Ultrasound: This advanced technique measures the speed and direction of blood flow in key blood vessels, most importantly the umbilical cord and sometimes the baby's brain. This helps assess how well the placenta is delivering oxygen and nutrients.

Types of Fetal Growth & Wellbeing Scan

Depending on your specific clinical needs, your doctor may recommend one of the following types of scans:

• Standard Growth Scan: This focuses primarily on fetal biometry—the measurements used to estimate the baby's size and weight.
• Growth Scan with Biophysical Profile (BPP): This adds the five-point health check-up to the standard growth measurements, providing a more detailed assessment of fetal health.
• Growth Scan with Doppler Study: This scan includes the analysis of blood flow patterns. Assessing the umbilical artery Doppler in pregnancy is key to understanding placental function.
• Comprehensive Scan: This is the most thorough assessment, combining all three elements—growth measurements, the biophysical profile, and the Doppler study—for a complete picture of fetal wellbeing. This is often referred to as a biophysical profile with Doppler ultrasound.

During your scan at Cadabams Diagnostics, our skilled sonographers will assess several key parameters:

• Fetal Biometry (Growth Measurements):
  • Biparietal Diameter (BPD): Measurement across the baby's head.
  • Head Circumference (HC): The distance around the baby's head.
  • Abdominal Circumference (AC): The distance around the baby's abdomen, crucial for weight estimation.
  • Femur Length (FL): The length of the thigh bone.
• Biophysical Profile (BPP) Score: A score is given based on observing:
  • Fetal breathing movements.
  • Gross body movements (e.g., kicking, stretching).
  • Fetal muscle tone (e.g., opening and closing of a hand).
  • Amniotic fluid volume.
  • Fetal heart rate (sometimes assessed separately as a non-stress test).
• Doppler Assessment:
  • Measures blood flow velocity and resistance in the umbilical artery.
  • May also include an assessment of the Middle Cerebral Artery (MCA) in the baby’s brain if there are concerns about growth restriction or anemia.

Your doctor will recommend this scan to gather critical information that helps manage the final weeks of your pregnancy. The primary reasons include:

• To estimate the baby's current weight and confirm that their growth is following the expected curve.
• To assess the volume of amniotic fluid around the baby, as too little or too much can indicate potential problems.
• To evaluate the baby's general health by observing their movements, breathing practice, and muscle tone.
• To check the function of the placenta by analyzing blood flow from the placenta to the baby via the umbilical cord.
• To proactively monitor high-risk pregnancies due to maternal health issues or a history of complications.

When and Who Needs to Take a Fetal Growth & Wellbeing Scan?

This scan is most commonly performed in the third trimester of pregnancy, typically any time after 28 weeks. While it can be a routine part of care for all pregnancies to provide reassurance, it is especially crucial if you or your doctor have concerns about:

• Fetal Growth: The baby seems smaller or larger than expected for their gestational age.
• Decreased Fetal Movement: You have noticed a reduction in your baby's movements.
• Maternal Health Conditions: You have conditions like gestational diabetes, high blood pressure (preeclampsia), or other chronic illnesses.
• Previous Pregnancy Complications: You have a history of stillbirth, growth restriction, or other issues in a prior pregnancy.
• Multiple Pregnancies: You are carrying twins or more.
• Post-Term Pregnancy: Your pregnancy has gone beyond your estimated due date.

Benefits of Taking the Test

The Fetal Growth & Wellbeing Scan offers significant benefits for both you and your baby:

• Provides Peace of Mind: For most parents, the scan provides powerful reassurance that their baby is healthy, active, and growing well.
• Early Detection of Issues: This fetal wellbeing ultrasound test allows for the early identification of potential problems such as Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR), placental issues, or low amniotic fluid.
• Informs Clinical Decisions: The results empower your obstetrician to make critical decisions about your care plan, including whether increased monitoring is needed or if an early delivery is the safest option.

Illnesses Diagnosed with Pregnancy Interval Growth Scan with BPP and Doppler Ultrasound

This comprehensive scan can help diagnose or monitor several conditions, allowing for timely intervention:

• Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR): A condition where the baby is not growing at the expected rate.
• Macrosomia: A condition where the baby is significantly larger than average for their gestational age, which can have implications for delivery.
• Oligohydramnios: An abnormally low level of amniotic fluid.
• Polyhydramnios: An excess of amniotic fluid.
• Signs of Fetal Compromise: BPP and Doppler findings can indicate if the baby is not receiving enough oxygen (hypoxia), prompting further action.

Preparation for the scan is generally simple:

• You may be asked to have a partially full bladder, as this can help improve the quality of the images. We recommend drinking one or two glasses of water about an hour before your scheduled appointment. Please confirm this when you book your scan.
• Wear a comfortable, loose-fitting two-piece outfit (like pants and a top) to allow for easy access to your abdomen.

Pre-requisites

A referral or prescription from your obstetrician or gynaecologist is required to undergo the Fetal Growth & Wellbeing Scan.

Best Time to Take the Fetal Growth & Wellbeing Scan

The scan is performed as prescribed by your doctor, typically between the 28th and 36th weeks of pregnancy. However, it can be done at any point in the third trimester if there is a clinical reason.

Eligibility

The Fetal Growth & Wellbeing Scan is applicable and considered safe for all pregnant women during their third trimester.

Procedure for Taking a Fetal Growth & Wellbeing Scan

Understanding the process can help you feel more comfortable and relaxed during your appointment.

Third Trimester Growth Scan Procedure

1. Arrival: Upon arriving at Cadabams Diagnostics, you will be greeted and checked in.
2. Positioning: A qualified sonographer will lead you to a dimly lit, private room and ask you to lie down comfortably on an examination table.
3. Gel Application: A clear, warm, water-based gel will be applied to your abdomen. This gel helps eliminate air pockets between your skin and the probe, ensuring clear image transmission.
4. The Scan: The sonographer will gently glide a small handheld probe, called a transducer, over your abdomen. The transducer sends sound waves into your body, which bounce off the baby and are converted into images on a monitor.
5. Measurements & Observation: The sonographer will carefully take measurements of your baby's head, abdomen, and femur. They will also observe the baby’s movements, check the amniotic fluid levels, locate the placenta, and perform Doppler assessments if required.
6. Duration: The entire scan usually takes between 30 and 45 minutes to ensure all necessary information is captured thoroughly.

Caution Before Taking the Test

There are no specific medical cautions required before this safe and non-invasive test. The most important thing is to follow any specific instructions given to you by your doctor or our staff at Cadabams Diagnostics. Please inform the sonographer if you experience any discomfort at any point during the scan.