Imaging Methods During Pregnancy

The Most Beautiful Journey

Pregnancy is the most incredible journey in a woman's life. In this journey that lasts for 9 months, both your body and soul pass through various stages and proceed toward the last station. The person who will greet you at the end of this road is the "child", the equivalent of indescribable love on earth.
With ultrasonographic examinations performed at certain weeks of pregnancy, important data can be obtained for both the baby's and the mother's health.
Prof. Dr. Rukset Attar, Yeditepe University Kozyatağı Hospital  Gynecology, Obstetrics, and IVF Specialist, made important statements by emphasizing that pregnancy can be examined in great detail thanks to ultrasonography devices.

• What is the Place and Importance of Ultrasonography During Pregnancy?

Ultrasonography plays an important role in the diagnosis and follow-up of pregnancy. We can determine whether the pregnancy is an "intrauterine pregnancy" or an "ectopic pregnancy" by ultrasonographic examination. We can also detect whether the pregnancy is singleton or multiple pregnancies by ultrasonography. It also gives information about the development of the baby, anomalies, the amount of water in which the baby develops, which we call "amniotic fluid", and the location and condition of the partner of the baby, which we call "placenta".

• Is Ultrasound Harmful to the Baby?

There is no scientific evidence that ultrasound harms the baby. However, the effects of heat increase during an ultrasound are not clear. As a result of scientific studies, it has been reported that a temperature increase of 1.5 degrees is not harmful to the baby.

• How Does Ultrasound Work?

Ultrasound works with sound waves. Sound waves are sent to the tissue with the help of a device (ultrasound probe). Sound waves coming into the tissue are reflected and the reflected sound waves are displayed on a screen.

• How Often Should Ultrasound Be Performed?

Ultrasound is performed in the first diagnosis of pregnancy for nuchal translucency and anomaly scanning at 11-14 weeks, for anomaly scanning between 18-22 weeks, in the last month of pregnancy, and in other periods deemed necessary by your physician.

• What Is Detailed Ultrasound and When Is It Performed?

Detailed ultrasound is performed between 18-22 weeks by a perinatology specialist specialized in risky pregnancies, congenital disabilities, and diseases.

• Should It Be Done in Multiple Pregnancies?

Ultrasonography must be performed in the first trimester to determine whether the pregnancy is multiple or not.

• What Does the Report Contain?

The ultrasound report includes information about the mother's age, last menstrual period, expected date of birth, placenta location, amount of amniotic fluid, baby's heartbeat, number of vessels in the baby's umbilical cord, information about the baby's development, blood flow, and cervical length. In addition, suggestions are also given when necessary.

• Can Every Anomaly Be Detected with Detailed Ultrasound? Is Detailed Ultrasound Alone Sufficient for the Diagnosis of Disabilities?

Not every anomaly can be detected with detailed ultrasound. With the detailed ultrasonography examination, it is accepted that the risk of Trisomy 21 is reduced by 60-70 percent, and the risk of trisomy 13-18 is reduced by 90 percent. For this reason, ultrasound alone is not sufficient for the diagnosis of disabilities.

• What is Fetal Echocardiography with Ultrasonography?

Fetal echocardiography is the ultrasound examination of the baby's heart while in the womb. The baby's first heart examination is done during the detailed ultrasonography performed between 11-14 weeks. However, this examination should be repeated in later weeks. This examination can be done from the 16th-18th weeks of pregnancy until the end of pregnancy. 22nd-23rd weeks are the most suitable period.

• What Is Done with Color Doppler and Biophysical Profile Examination? Is It Possible to Have It Done Anywhere?

Doppler ultrasound is a method in which blood flows are displayed and examined, and it is used for diagnosis and follow-up in many conditions such as fetal growth retardation, anemia, blood incompatibility, preeclampsia, and multiple pregnancies. Doppler can be performed at any time when deemed necessary. The biophysical profile is used to monitor the baby's well-being. It is used in the follow-up of the baby's well-being in many conditions such as growth retardation, anemia, oligohydramnios, and preeclampsia. It can be done in any place with a suitable ultrasonography device and NST.