Can I do B-ultrasound in early pregnancy?

We all know that B-ultrasound is a detection method that can use ultrasound to observe whether a certain organ inside the human body is healthy. Especially for pregnant women, many pregnant women will choose to do B-ultrasound during prenatal check-ups because B-ultrasound can see the fetus in the body, and the impact of B-ultrasound on the fetus is relatively small. So can pregnant women do B-ultrasound in the early stages of pregnancy?

How long does it take to do B-ultrasound in early pregnancy

Experts say that after a woman's menstruation stops, she can use B-ultrasound to determine whether she is pregnant and whether the position of the gestational sac is normal. In the first month of pregnancy, the gestational sac is still very small, and the B-ultrasound cannot see the existence of the gestational sac at this time, so B-ultrasound should be done at least until 6 weeks of pregnancy. Regarding the question of how long to do an ultrasound in the early stages of pregnancy, experts point out that the early stages of pregnancy are an important period for the division of embryonic cells and the formation of the brain. Doing an ultrasound during this period will have a certain impact on the growth and development of the fetus. If the pregnant mother does not have symptoms of threatened abortion such as vaginal bleeding and abdominal pain, it is best to wait until the 18th to 20th week of pregnancy to do an ultrasound examination.

Situations where ultrasound is needed in early pregnancy:

1. Pregnant mothers who are not sure about the exact time of amenorrhea and find it difficult to estimate the time of pregnancy based on symptoms and signs can have an ultrasound examination at 10-13 weeks of pregnancy.

2. Those with vaginal bleeding and abdominal pain need to undergo B-ultrasound examination to rule out abnormal pregnancies such as ectopic pregnancy, hydatidiform mole, and missed abortion.

3. Patients with pelvic masses or uterine fibroids before or in early pregnancy. B-ultrasound examination is needed to assist in diagnosis and provide a basis for future treatment.

So how many times can I do ultrasound during pregnancy?

Since ultrasound is a physical factor and a form of energy, it may have a slight impact on fetal development during the period of fetal tissue and organ formation (within three months), so multiple B-ultrasound examinations are not recommended. Generally speaking, it is best not to have more than 4 ultrasounds during pregnancy. The 4 times are:

1. Early pregnancy: After 6 weeks of pregnancy, in addition to routine gynecological examinations, B-ultrasound should be performed to determine whether the intrauterine pregnancy is normal. For example, if no signs of pregnancy are detected in the uterine cavity, but an abnormal mass is detected outside the uterine cavity, the possibility of ectopic pregnancy can be considered in combination with other clinical manifestations and laboratory test results. Therefore, it is generally recommended to perform B-ultrasound in the early stages of pregnancy to determine whether it is a normal pregnancy or twins, hydatidiform mole, etc.

2. Mid-pregnancy: Another B-ultrasound is needed around 16 weeks to understand the general growth and development of the fetus.

Have another ultrasound check around 28 weeks, at which time the ultrasound can provide a clearer picture of the development of fetal tissues and organs, thereby determining whether the fetus has any malformations. If there is any deformity, it is more appropriate to terminate the pregnancy at this time (based on the advice of the obstetrician and relevant policies).

3. Late pregnancy: B-ultrasound should be performed between 36 weeks of pregnancy and before the expected date of delivery. This can determine the amount of amniotic fluid and the function of the placenta, as well as whether the fetus has the umbilical cord around the neck. If there is too little amniotic fluid, calcified placenta, or the fetal umbilical cord is around the neck, whether to continue the pregnancy should be considered based on clinical circumstances. At the same time, B-ultrasound can estimate the fetal weight based on the fetal head diameter and bone measurement, clarify the fetal position, and predict whether the pregnant woman can give birth naturally.

It can be seen from this that it is necessary to conduct four B-ultrasound examinations in the early, middle and late stages of pregnancy. However, we must remind everyone that B-ultrasound will have more or less impact on the fetus, so do not do B-ultrasound too frequently.