During pregnancy, mothers may have various concerns and worries, one of which is the health of their fetus. However, it is unnecessary to be anxious about it when this issue can be examined with a variety of advanced tools. Pregnancy ultrasound is among the methods that can be used to ensure the health of the mother and the fetus.
Pregnancy Ultrasound Types
Ultrasound during pregnancy is the most essential and crucial step during this sensitive period for mothers and their children, to the extent that experts in this field of treatment strongly emphasize its regular and periodic performance. Also, it is recommended for pregnant mothers to have several ultrasound sessions during pregnancy and check for any congenital defects in the fetus.
Pregnancy Ultrasound Types
There are different types of ultrasounds performed during pregnancy. Generally, there exist two main types of pregnancy ultrasounds, including transvaginal ultrasound and abdominal ultrasound. However, transvaginal ultrasound and abdominal ultrasound are performed through different methods.
Transvaginal Ultrasound
Transvaginal ultrasound is the most common type of ultrasound during pregnancy. In this method, a thin rod is placed inside the vaginal canal and is used to view images of the fetus as well as checking its condition. Transvaginal ultrasound is used to examine and detect fetal heart rate in the first months of pregnancy.
This ultrasound method can also be used to determine the duration of pregnancy. With the guidance of an obstetrician and a gynecologist, the mother will be instructed about the time she must check her current status. The images obtained from transvaginal ultrasound are much more accurate than abdominal ultrasound, especially in the first months of pregnancy.
Pregnancy Ultrasound Report
Abdominal Ultrasound
The procedure of abdominal ultrasound is completely different from transvaginal ultrasound. In this method, an ultrasound probe is placed on the surface of your skin. The waves sent from the probe to the body will record images and show them on the screen.
To obtain more accurate images, the doctor or ultrasound technician moves the device’s probe over different areas of the abdomen. Abdominal ultrasound is usually performed after the 12th week of pregnancy.
NT Ultrasound (Nuchal Translucency scan)
NT ultrasound is among the subsidiary types of pregnancy ultrasounds. NT ultrasound is performed in the first trimester of pregnancy. The best time to perform an NT ultrasound is between 11 and 13 weeks of pregnancy.
Early Anomaly Scan
This method is also known as anomalous ultrasound. The best time to perform anomalous ultrasound is between 16 and 18 weeks of pregnancy. This ultrasound method is usually performed to check the developing stages and risk factors of the fetus. Via Anomaly scan, the gender of the baby is known earlier.
Doppler Ultrasonography
Doppler ultrasound is used to check blood flow. This is done when problems are detected in the function of the heart or blood flow of the fetus. Diagnosing heart problems of the fetus by physical examination is not possible, so, the Doppler ultrasound method is used for a more detailed examination of the heart.
Pregnancy Ultrasound Purposes & Uses
- To determine pregnancy
- To prevent ectopic pregnancy
- To prevent pregnancy complications such as molar pregnancy and abortion
- To check the growth and development of the fetus
- To scan for congenital defects and genetic abnormalities
- As part of other prenatal tests, such as placental villus sampling
Pregnancy Ultrasound Purpose
A Safe Method
One of the most important advantages of pregnancy ultrasound is that it is completely safe. Unlike the X-ray machine, this ultrasound method uses ultrasound waves. Ultrasound waves have a high frequency and do not harm the human body. At the same time, X-rays can damage the fetus and disrupt its development.
Affordable
Pregnancy ultrasound is a completely low-cost and affordable method to check all fetal problems. If the child is sick after birth, you will have to pay a lot of medical expenses later on.
A full examination of the fetus
Pregnancy Ultrasound is the best method used for overall fetal checkup.
Pregnancy Ultrasound Preparation
Clinics and hospitals that use ultrasound equipment advise mothers to drink more fluids a week or two before the ultrasound sessions because fluids help enhance the transparency of water inside the fetal sac, and this results in better imaging and accurate examination.
Pregnancy Ultrasound Timeline
| Pregnancy ultrasound according to week | Requirements and Reason of Scanning |
| 6th and 7th week – pregnancy ultrasound of the first month of pregnancy | To check for heart and Gestational sac health |
| Week 11 to 14 of pregnancy – first-trimester ultrasound | NT ultrasound and blood tests |
| 16 to 19 weeks of pregnancy | To determine the sex of the fetus |
| 18 to 23 weeks of pregnancy | Anomaly ultrasound |
| 28 weeks of pregnancy | To track the stages of fetal weight |
| 30 weeks of pregnancy | Evaluation of suspicious cases such as low fetal weight or abnormal amniotic fluid |
| 31 to 34 weeks of pregnancy | To estimate the weight of the fetus |
| The 33rd week of pregnancy | To determine the weight of the fetus if the ultrasound was not performed in the previous weeks |
| The 31st week of pregnancy | the last pregnancy ultrasound session is necessary to determine the gender of the unborn baby |
Pregnancy Ultrasound Scan
The method of pregnancy ultrasound depends on the type prescribed by the gynecologist. Abdominal ultrasound does not require any special preparations. You may be asked to do an ultrasound with a full bladder. A full bladder helps to get a more accurate image. Also, you will be asked to wear a hospital gown at times. To perform an ultrasound, you first need to lie down.
A gel is rubbed on the surface of the abdominal skin to perform an abdominal ultrasound. This gel-like substance will not harm your body and simply helps the ultrasound technician to see more accurate images.
Pregnancy Ultrasound Scan
In the next step, the probe of the ultrasound device is placed on the surface of the abdomen and moved to different areas. Ultrasound waves are sent from the ultrasound machine to the fetus and your body organs. These waves easily pass through the body and collide with the internal organs. When waves come in contact with the fetus, they are reflected to the probe scanning and later show the images on the screen.
Pregnancy Ultrasound Price
The cost of a pregnancy ultrasound can vary depending on several factors, such as the type of ultrasound, location, and whether you have insurance.
- Early Pregnancy Ultrasound: Ranges from $100 to $300.
- NT Scan (Nuchal Translucency Scan): Costs between $150 to $400.
- Level 1 or Growth Scan: Costs around $200 to $500.
- Level 2 or Anomaly Scan: Ranges from $250 to $600.
- Doppler Ultrasound: Costs between $300 to $700.
- Fetal Echo: Costs around $400 to $800
In a clinic or hospital in Iran, an Abdominal ultrasound costs between 500,000 Tomans (5,000,000 Rials) and 1,500,000 Tomans (15,000,000 Rials). Obstetric ultrasonography typically ranges from 800,000 Tomans (8,000,000 Rials) to 2,000,000 (20,000,000 Rials).
Final Word
Considering that it is not possible to perform scanning methods such as X-rays and CT scans during pregnancy, pregnancy ultrasound and, in urgent cases, MRI are the only safe methods used. Ultrasound is actually a simple test during pregnancy that evaluates the child’s growth and health. Different people, such as an obstetrician, nurse, or ultrasound technician, may do this for you. Examining the health of the fetus before birth is very important, and sometimes, early detection of fetal diseases can prevent bigger issues.
