The Importance Of Ultrasound Test
A pelvic ultrasound is a noninvasive procedure carried out to assess your pelvis. A ultrasound test allows your doctor to get a quick visualization of your pelvic organs and structures including the uterus, cervix, vagina, fallopian tubes and ovaries.
Ultrasound uses a transducer that emits ultrasonic sound waves that bounce off the organs like an echo and return to the transducer, it converts the echo into an electronic image of the organs. A clear conducting gel is placed between the transducer and the skin for smooth movement over the skin and to eliminate air for the best sound conduction.
Reasons For A Pelvic Ultrasound
Pelvic ultrasound may be used for measuring and evaluating your pelvic organs. Ultrasound assessment of the pelvis may be used for:
- Size, shape and position of the uterus and ovaries or the bladder.
- Thickness, echogenicity (darkness or lightness of the image related to the density of the tissue), and presence of fluids or masses in the endometrium, myometrium, fallopian tubes or in or near the bladder.
- Length and thickness of the cervix.
- Blood flow through the pelvic organs.
- Any abnormalities in the anatomic structure of the uterus, including endometrial conditions.
- Detects fibroid tumors, masses, cysts and other types of tumors within the pelvis.
- The presence and position of an intrauterine contraceptive device (iud).
- Any pelvic inflammatory disease (pid) and other types of inflammation or infection.
- Postmenopausal bleeding.
- Monitoring of ovarian follicle size for infertility evaluation.
- Aspiration of follicular fluid and eggs from ovaries for in vitro fertilization.
- In case of ectopic pregnancy.
- For pregnant women, it is used to confirm and even check for multiple pregnancies, check the fetal heartbeat, check the baby’s gender, monitor the levels of amniotic fluid, oxygen level, measure the length of the cervix and more.
How To Assess The Type Of Ultrasound
The procedure performed depends entirely on the reason for the ultrasound. Your doctor may use the Doppler ultrasound to provide the information for diagnosis or treatment as it helps assess blood flow. It evaluates the velocity and direction of blood flow, by making the sound waves audible. The degrees of loudness of the sound waves indicate the rate of blood flow within a blood vessel. Absence or faintness of these sounds may indicate an obstruction of blood flow.
The two methods of fetal ultrasound are:
Transabdominal (through the abdomen): A transducer is placed on the abdomen, using the conductive gel.
Transvaginal (through the vagina): A long, thin transducer is covered with the conducting gel and a plastic/latex sheath and is inserted into the vagina.
Purpose Of Ultrasound During Pregnancy
The first prenatal ultrasound is usually done in the first trimester. It confirms the pregnancy as well as the approximate date of the pregnancy. In addition, it is able to help establish the location and size of the fetus, as well as the number in the case of multiple gestations.
The next prenatal ultrasound is routinely done in the second trimester. It is usually done between 16 and 22 weeks gestation, with the aim of evaluating in greater detail the fetal anatomy, and identifying any birth defects.
It is important to remember that throughout your pregnancy your doctor will schedule ultrasounds to be sure about how your pregnancy is going. Ultrasound can detect some types of physical birth defects, some serious heart defects, some kidney problems, absence of part of a limb and some cases of cleft palate. It helps determine abnormalities in your baby if any as well as helps track the growth of your baby.
What Are The Signs Of A Healthy Pregnancy?
The signs of healthy pregnancy are as follows:
- The right blood pressure and blood sugar levels
- The placenta’s position
- Gaining the right weight
- The right growth of the foetus
- The levels of progesterone and oestrogen
- The foetal movements
What Are The Signs Of An Unhealthy Baby In The Womb?
- Bleeding
- Severe nausea and vomiting
- If there is a decline in baby’s activities
- Early contractions
- If your water breaks
- Persistent headache
- Abdominal pain
- Visual disturbances
- Swelling
- Flu symptoms
What to expect from a Pelvic Ultrasound?
Pelvic ultrasounds are common medical examinations that are generally pain and risk free. You must remember a few things when you're scheduled for a pelvic ultrasound:
- Before the procedure your doctor will explain the details and give an opportunity to ask any questions that you might have about the procedure.
- Consult doctor online if you are sensitive to or allergic to latex.
- Generally, no fasting is required for a pelvic ultrasound, unless the ultrasound requires anesthesia.
- For a transabdominal ultrasound, you'll be asked to drink several glasses of water one to two hours before the procedure. Do not empty your bladder until the procedure is over.
- For a transvaginal ultrasound, you should empty your bladder right before the procedure.
During the fetal ultrasound the woman is asked to lie down on her back on the examination table with the abdomen exposed. A clear gel is then applied on the abdominal surface to remove any air between the transducer and the skin. The transducer is then rolled over the abdominal area of the woman in a back and forth motion that captures the sound waves sent through the transducer and is reflected to form an image on the monitor. The sonographer can also show the movement of the baby inside the mother’s womb. In this type of procedure, the vital details of the baby can be easily measured and recorded. In other cases, pictures are taken for further assessment by the doctor.
Based on your medical condition, your doctor may request other specific preparation. After the procedure, there is no special type of care required. You may resume your normal diet, empty your bladder and continue performing other activities unless your doctor advises you differently. Your doctor may give you additional or alternate instructions if you are pregnant, after the procedure is done.
Risks Related To Pelvic Ultrasound
There's no radiation involved in a pelvic ultrasound and generally no discomfort from the application of the ultrasound transducer to the skin. You may experience slight discomfort with the insertion of the transvaginal transducer into the vagina and since it requires covering the transducer in a plastic or latex sheath, this may cause a reaction in patients with a latex allergy.
There may be additional risks depending on your specific medical condition. This should be discussed with your doctor prior to the procedure.
Certain factors or conditions may interfere with the results of the test. These are obesity, barium in the intestines from a recent barium procedure, intestinal gas, inadequate filling of the bladder with transabdominal ultrasound.
Conclusion
MediBuddy helps you find quick and hassle free bookings for ultrasound test from approved labs. You can pick a preferred date, appear for the ultrasound or sonography and get your results in no time.
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