So, you have taken a pregnancy test and you have found out that you are expecting a baby? Congratulations! Whether this is your first child, second, third, or one of many, you should ensure the baby’s good health by getting an ultrasound completed. This type of assessment of risk in pregnancy should be completed not just to determine the overall health of the baby but also, to diagnose any potential complications. Some common complications that might arise during pregnancy include cramps, pelvic pain, bleeding, sickness and headaches. To rule out the risks of a problem, discover what ultrasound services could do for you and your unborn child.
Measuring the Baby’s Size
Isn’t it exciting to think that you can measure the size of the bundle of joy that is growing inside of you? Measuring the size is an assessment of risk because if it is too small, or too big, this might indicate a growth problem. In addition to this, the ultrasound will check the baby for signs of abnormalities. If these abnormalities could affect the child’s chances of leading a normal life or increase the risk of difficulties during birth, it is important that you and the ultrasound specialist know about them.
Monitoring Amniotic Fluid
There is a chance that the practitioner will want to organise additional ultrasounds if they notice something unusual about the amount of amniotic fluid in the uterus. Whether there is too much or too little fluid, this could result in issues with the baby’s development. Some development issues that could be detected on your first screening test include problems with the kidney, bladder, chest, stomach, heart and spine. Monitoring amniotic fluid is even more essential if there is more than one baby growing inside you!
Checking the Gender of the Baby
Even if you don’t want to know what the gender of your baby is, you will be offered the opportunity to find out when you book an ultrasound at a pregnancy clinic. Something called a mid-pregnancy ultrasound will determine the sex of the baby, but the person carrying the baby should be 16-20 weeks pregnant. If the child is covering his or her genitals during the scan, you may have to wait a while until the baby moves! Congenital conditions can be uncovered with ultrasounds, making it important to organise a trip to the pregnancy clinic as soon as possible.
All pregnant women should take prenatal care into account by visiting a women’s health care clinic like Ultrasound for Women Penrith. To book an ultrasound, call +61 2 4721 2195.