Is the expected delivery date accurate with 4D color Doppler ultrasound?

With the development of science, during pregnancy, pregnant mothers can use four-dimensional color ultrasound to understand the baby's development. So, is the expected delivery date of four-dimensional color ultrasound accurate? When is the best time to do a four-dimensional color ultrasound? These are the common questions about four-dimensional color ultrasound that you should not miss.

What is 4D Color Doppler Ultrasound?

The four-dimensional color ultrasound scanner is currently the most advanced color ultrasound equipment in the world. "4D" is the abbreviation of "four dimensions". The fourth dimension refers to the vector material of time, so it is also called real-time three-dimensional.

Four-dimensional color ultrasound can visualize and display the three-dimensional structure and dynamics of internal organs in three dimensions, and observe the three-dimensional structure in real time, while the previous two-dimensional imaging technology can only display a certain aspect of the internal organs. In the field of obstetrics and gynecology, four-dimensional color ultrasound can be used to perform color ultrasound examinations on the fetus, which can display the color, face, and internal organs of the fetus in three dimensions, and even the condition of the fetus in the pregnant mother can be observed; malformations of the fetus, such as cleft lip, cleft palate, bone growth abnormalities, cardiovascular malformations, etc. can be diagnosed at an early stage.

The four-dimensional examination will also be affected by some factors, such as oligohydramnios, maternal obesity, transverse position of the fetus, proximity of the embryo and endometrium to the body and face, and excessive fetal exercise. Although fetal heart malformation screening technology has perfectly filled the gap in screening fetuses with basic malformations, its main detection target is still serious and fatal fetal heart malformations, and it has poor sensitivity to some minor heart malformations and some malformations that can be surgically treated after birth, such as atrial septal defect and small ventricular septal defect. Therefore, at present, even in Europe, where this technology is most developed, the diagnosis rate is only 60%. Therefore, don't think that everything will be fine as long as you do this test, and ignore its limitations and the test results of other items that should be tested.

Is the expected delivery date accurate?

The four-dimensional color Doppler ultrasound is basically accurate because it has a fixed calculation method. If you can't remember the exact time, you can estimate the due date based on the fetus's "femur length, fetal abdominal circumference, and biparietal diameter of the fetal head." But it is not 100% accurate, because it also depends on the physical condition of each person. In addition, four-dimensional color ultrasound photos and videos can be kept, leaving a special gift for the baby.

The best time for 4D color Doppler ultrasound

1. 12-16 weeks of pregnancy

During this period, four-dimensional color ultrasound examination is carried out to observe the overall image of the fetal head, embryo, and limbs with all surface displays. It can also be used to observe whether the overall movement of the fetus is harmonious, but the actual effect of the fetal facial display is poor.

2. 22-28 weeks of pregnancy

This is the best time to do a four-dimensional color ultrasound. The fetal structure and movement conditions are relatively clear, and serious malformations can be treated in time, including anencephaly, severe cerebral herniation, severe open spina bifida, severe pleural wall damage and visceral eversion, single-chamber heart, and achondroplasia.

3. 28-32 weeks of pregnancy

During this period, the baby's subcutaneous tissue is relatively round, and the facial expressions are also very rich, which also fully prepares the baby for childbirth.

The best time for four-dimensional color Doppler ultrasound is 22-28 weeks. During this period, because the fetus is relatively small, the pregnant woman has more amniotic fluid, the fetus is more mobile, and the skin is relatively plump, it is conducive to four-dimensional ultrasound imaging of the fetus and screening for fetal malformations. It is the best stage for fetal malformation screening.