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The sound waves whose frequency is greater than 20 kHz are called ultrasound. Ultrasound waves are used in many fields.
Sonography is the most well known application of ultrasound. It is comparatively cheaper than MRI scan (magnetic resonance imaging) and CT scan (computed tomography). It is use to scan and generate the images of tissues, muscles and other organs of the body. Sonography is widely used in pregnancy related diagnosis. It is used to scan and produce the images of the fetus in the uterus.
In ultrasound scan, a high frequency wave is transmitted through the uterus. The hard tissue and bones of the fetus reflects these sound waves. The receiver receives these reflected sound waves and the computer converts this information into an image. The image is a mixture of white, gray and black shades, depending on the intensity of reflected wave. Many scanners today generate colored 3D images.
Ultrasounds are mostly done by trained professionals like sonographers, radiologists and obstetricians. The procedures involved in ultrasound are
- Experts will ask you to drink plenty of water particularly in early stages of pregnancy before coming for an ultrasound scan as it helps in generating clear images of uterus.
- There is a bed beside the machine. You will be asked to lie on the bed. The arrangement is such that you can view the image on the monitor.
- Sonographers will apply gel on your stomach. It helps in smooth movement of transducer over stomach.
- Now, the sonographers move the transducer smoothly over the stomach. The transducer transmits and receives the sound waves and generates the image.
- The whole process takes 15 to 20 minutes and is safe for the mother and the baby.
Ultrasounds can be used for the detection of
- Ectopic pregnancy.
- Single or Twins or multiple pregnancies.
- Heartbeat of the baby.
- Reasons for any kind of bleeding during pregnancy.
- Whether all the organs of the baby have developed or not.
- Whether all the organs are functioning properly or not.
- Determining the accurate date of delivery.
- Amount of amniotic fluid, the condition and position of placenta.
- Can be used to detect certain abnormalities.
- It can also be used to measure the rate of growth of the fetus.
There are different ways in which the ultrasound technology can be used in pregnancy related diagnosis. They are
- Abdominal ultrasound
- Vaginal ultrasound
- Doppler ultrasound
Abdominal ultrasound
Abdominal ultrasound is the most common used in pregnancy related diagnosis. In this ultrasound the sonographers moves the transducer over the belly to scan the uterus and examine the development of the baby and several other conditions of the uterus.
Vaginal ultrasound
In vaginal ultrasound, a sterilized probe is gently placed in the vagina but outside the cervix. The probe is covered with a thin plastic sheath. This technique helps sonographers to minutely observe the woman’s uterus. It also helps in detecting low lying placenta.
Doppler ultrasound
Doppler ultrasound is use to examine the blood flow in the vessels. It also helps in detecting condition of the blood flow between the uterus and the placenta which in turn helps in determining the functioning of the placenta for the baby. This technique is performed in the same way as abdominal ultrasound.
Pregnancy Ultrasound Pictures
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