Ultrasonography

What is Ultrasonography?

Ultrasonography is a diagnostic imaging technique that uses high-frequency sounds (ultrasounds, which the human ear cannot hear) to produce images. This way, internal organs such as the liver, kidneys and the heart can be examined; the condition of the baby in the uterus (foetus) can be evaluated.

Are ultrasound scans dangerous for the foetus and the mother?

Ultrasound devices work using sound waves and are therefore considered safe. Contrary to x-rays or tomography, ultrasonography does not involve exposure to radiation.

Who should perform the ultrasonography?

The evaluation of the foetus by ultrasonography should be performed by trained and qualified physicians using appropriate equipment. The evaluation is made when medically necessary and at specific gestational weeks.

Is ultrasonography necessary during pregnancy?

Ultrasonography is a part of the pregnancy follow-up process, but pregnancy follow-up is not done exclusively via ultrasonography. The mother’s health is of utmost importance during pregnancy. Blood pressure, weight tracking, blood and urine tests, which are important determinants of the mother’s health, should also be done regularly.

Why is ultrasonography performed?

Ultrasonography is performed at specific gestational weeks, or whenever necessary according to the complaints of pregnant women.

First gestational weeks: to confirm gestational age or determine the number of foetuses
Gestational weeks 10-14: To determine foetal age, nuchal translucency (NT), nasal bone measurement, heartrate, assessment of the placenta in multiple pregnancies
Gestational weeks 16-18: To confirm foetal age
Gestational weeks 22-23: Foetal structural evaluation and anomaly screening, measurement of cervical length, evaluation of the relationship between the placenta and the cervix, determination of foetal age
Gestational week 32: Evaluation of foetal development and amniotic fluid Besides these weeks, extra ultrasound scans can be performed when deemed necessary by your doctor (such as in cases of preterm labour, vaginal bleeding, decrease in foetal movements).

Are transvaginal ultrasound scans dangerous?

Transvaginal ultrasound scans are not dangerous to the mother or the foetus. They do not lead to infections, miscarriage, or premature birth; on the contrary, they are used for the evaluation of the risk of miscarriage or premature birth. In addition, although there is no such rule set in stone, transvaginal ultrasound scans can be used to diagnose pregnancy, determine whether it is a single or multiple pregnancy, measuring the foetal heartrate (the baby in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy), and determining whether there is an ectopic pregnancy or not.

Can ultrasonography diagnose all problems related to the foetus?

Ultrasound scans provide valuable information about the health of the foetus. However, all foetal problems cannot be diagnosed through ultrasonography. A structural anomaly of the foetus is detected in 3% of all pregnancies. It is important to assess the severity of any current problems to diagnose whether they will lead to any structural anomalies in the baby post-delivery. The diagnosis of the anomaly depends on the experience of the technician and on the equipment. A postpartum anomaly does not mean that the doctor bypassed the anomaly during the pregnancy. Some structural problems can only be diagnosed during the last weeks of the pregnancy. The possibility of detecting anomalies in ultrasound scans varies between 28% and 80% according to the experience of the operator and the technical characteristics of the equipment (*).

Eventually, normal ultrasonography reports mean that no animalities where detected at the time of the scan. A 100% accuracy rate of diagnoses cannot be achieved even in the ultrasound scans performed by perinatologists (doctors specialised in health concerns of the mother and the foetus prior to, during, and after pregnancy). Ultrasonographic diagnosis focuses on structural problems; diseases on the cellular level such as thalassemia or cystic fibrous diseases cannot be diagnosed by ultrasonography. In case of doubt, you may consult another doctor for a second opinion.