Diagnostic Ultrasound › Antenatal Monitoring
Antenatal Monitoring
Ultrasonography is one of the mainstays of antenatal monitoring and is useful in each stage of pregnancy. Ultrasounds need not be carried out before the 6th week of pregnancy. After the 6th week the uses of ultrasound are various.
-
Confirmation of pregnancy
-
Viability of pregnancy
-
Dating of pregnancy
-
Detecting the heart beat
-
Monitoring size and growth of foetus
-
Monitoring health of foetus
-
Visualising the internal organs of the baby including spine, heart, stomach and kidneys
-
Assessment of risk factors such as poor placental blood flow
-
Detection of position of placenta
PREPARATION REQUIRED FOR AN ANTENATAL ULTRASOUND:
Between the 6th and 12th week of pregnancy you must drink 2 litres of water from 2 hours before the procedure. Avoid passing urine in that time as the scope for the drinking is to have a fully extended bladder.
After the 12th week of pregnancy no preparation is required.
SPECIALISED ANTENATAL SCANS
Nuchal Scan (currently not available)
Carried out around the 12th to 14th week, the nuchal translucency scan can help your doctors estimate the risk of your baby having a chromosomal abnormality, including Down’s Syndrome.
Anomaly Scan
Carried out around the 22nd week, this is a detailed scan of your baby’s organs and body parts, and can detects certain congenital defects and problems in the heart and spine for example.
Antenatal Monitoring
From confirmation and dating of pregnancy to monitoring development and health of the foetus.