Why Is A Doppler Ultrasound Needed In The Last Three Months Of Pregnancy?
The nine wonderful months of pregnancy are no less than a magical experience. A woman goes through different phases. Emotions are intensified and everything around feels different. The body of a woman becomes sensitive to everything. This is the reason why it is important to keep a regular check. Ultrasound is one way to track the growth of the baby.
Pregnancy is divided into three trimesters.
- First trimester: From conception to 12 weeks
- Second trimester: 12 to 24 weeks
- Third trimester: 24 to 40 weeks
Doppler ultrasound helps to assess the blood flow to the placenta and through the umbilical cord. The practice is needed the most in the last three months of pregnancy. During the third trimester, the baby grows, develops and begins to change its position as it gets ready for birth.
But what is Doppler ultrasound?
Doppler ultrasound is a procedure that checks the uterine arteries of women who suffer hypertension during their pregnancy and suspects intrauterine growth retardation. The technique allows gynaecologists to monitor and study the soft organs, veins, arteries, and overall growth of the baby.
Why is it so important during the last three months of pregnancy?
The last three months of pregnancy is the critical stage. The baby is at its full growth and begins to rotate and change its position periodically inside the mother’s womb.
This is when it becomes important to ensure blood flows without any disruption. Doppler ultrasound indicates, diagnoses, and detects the inadequate blood flow in the umbilical artery.
How is it done?
During the third and final trimester of pregnancy, a Doppler ultrasound is performed through the abdominal sensor. At this stage, the baby has all its organs developed, grows fast and continues to mature with the passing time. The fetus at the final stage begins to appear like a newborn infant as per its size, developed muscles, and rotations. When a doctor performs an ultrasound on the pregnant mother, the baby inside feels the light gleaming and can hear the sound as well.
Performing a doppler ultrasound during the final stage of pregnancy gives doctors an idea of the baby’s breech position. If the baby’s head is upside down, it is anticipated that the woman would have a vaginal delivery. If not, then the caesarean section is the only option left. Along with this, ultrasound scans the maturity, and size of the placenta as to the cervix.
It is important to do so to ensure that the placenta and its blood vessels do not cover the opening of the cervix. It helps the baby to be born without any trouble. The amount of amniotic acid is assessed in the fetus as well.
Blood carries oxygen. The constant flow of blood to the baby ensures it is well oxygenated. It is important to keep the baby alive inside the womb. It is the reason why doctors suggest repeated scans to monitor the baby during the final trimester of the pregnancy. In the opposite condition, when the baby suffers from a deficiency of oxygen due to imbalanced blood flow, early delivery is the sole choice to save it.
Doppler ultrasound in the last three months of pregnancy helps doctors to estimate the birth weight of the baby by the size of its skull, stomach’s diameter, and thigh bone volume. Doppler ultrasound helps doctors assess and collect all the critical information before the baby’s birth. The technique gives the mother and doctor an idea of how the baby is going to be and if the mother is going to have the delivery naturally (NVD) or by surgery (LSCS).
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