Is prenatal ultrasound examination necessary?

Pregnancy is a process that normal women will go through in their lifetime. Women and their families hope to give birth to a healthy and smart baby. Ultrasound examination is an important means of prenatal examination. It can check the condition of the placenta and amniotic fluid, and can accurately check the size of the fetus and whether there are any deformities. Ultrasound examination can count and collect possible and existing risk factors, and make timely remedial measures. It can also provide effective technical support for clinical treatment.

1. Introduction to prenatal ultrasound examination

Prenatal ultrasound examination is an essential examination item for pregnant women before giving birth. It uses ultrasound equipment to emit ultrasound waves, which are transmitted from the skin surface to the mother's uterus and fetus. The difference in acoustic impedance when penetrating the fetal structure will cause sound wave reflection. The probe can convert the reflected sound waves into electrical signals. After being processed in the instrument, the final image will be displayed on the screen, allowing the examining doctor to intuitively observe whether there are any abnormalities in the fetal structure and growth and development.

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2. Necessity of prenatal ultrasound examination

2.1 Regular prenatal check-ups

By conducting ultrasound examinations before delivery, the occurrence of pregnancy complications and comorbidities can be prevented early. Once any adverse conditions are found in the mother after the ultrasound examination, targeted treatment measures must be taken to prevent the patient's condition from further aggravating, which promotes the physical health of the pregnant woman and the normal growth and development of the fetus.

2.2 Screening for abnormalities as system monitoring

If some pregnant women have health problems, ultrasound examinations will be performed in the early stages of pregnancy, and communication and exchanges with the pregnant women will be carried out to understand their medical history. Full-body abdominal examinations, physical examinations and tests will be performed on them to complete effective screening of abnormal pregnant women. For some pregnant women who meet the conditions, it is recommended that they enter a higher-level hospital for systematic monitoring.

2.3 Prevent the spread of genetic diseases

For some pregnant women with a history of severe fetal malformations and genetic diseases, genetic counseling and pedigree analysis are required. Prenatal preparation should be carried out to ensure that the mother can be diagnosed quickly. Based on the diagnosis results, reasonable treatment measures should be implemented to prevent the spread of genetic diseases.

2.4 Reduce the incidence of complications during pregnancy

Nursing staff need to teach pregnant women how to eat properly, pregnancy care methods, breastfeeding methods, and self-monitoring methods to ensure that they can alleviate the fear and anxiety of pregnant women during childbirth, improve their confidence in childbirth, and have stronger self-care abilities, which can reduce the occurrence of complications during pregnancy.

2.5 Early detection of abnormalities and timely delivery

After prenatal examinations, pregnant women can intuitively understand what abnormalities they have, including malposition of the fetus, small pelvis, etc. Once the above conditions are found, they need to be corrected as soon as possible. For some pregnant women who cannot be corrected, they should be informed that they need to be hospitalized for treatment in time to ensure timely delivery.
3. Prenatal ultrasound examination items

Pregnant women usually need to be hospitalized for a checkup once a month during the first four months of pregnancy. After 28 weeks of pregnancy, it is recommended to be hospitalized for a prenatal checkup every half a month. When the pregnancy reaches 36 weeks, it is necessary to be hospitalized for a checkup once a week until the baby is born. The number of prenatal checkups for pregnant women is directly related to the medical history of the pregnant woman herself and the presence or absence of complications. For some pregnant women with high blood pressure, they are required to increase the number of prenatal checkups they go to the hospital. For some pregnant women with a previous medical history or health problems during pregnancy, the number of prenatal checkups they go to the hospital should be increased.

3.1 Early pregnancy check-up

3.1.1B-ultrasound

In the first 6-8 weeks of pregnancy, ultrasound examination can be used to understand the number of fetuses, whether they are live, the condition of the uterine appendages, the gestational age, and the estimated due date. Although ultrasound examination is not a formal prenatal examination item, once a problem is found, it can be corrected as soon as possible.

3.1.2NT

NT is mainly used to screen for fetal malformations. It can detect abnormalities in the anatomical structure and chromosomes. The higher the test value, the higher the probability of fetal abnormalities. However, it should be noted that abnormal NT results do not necessarily mean that there is a problem with the fetus. Further examinations should be performed to confirm the diagnosis.

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3.2 Second trimester

3.2.1 Down syndrome screening

This test is mainly used to assess whether the fetus has Down syndrome. It is suitable for low-risk expectant mothers and pregnant women with abnormal NT test results. However, Down syndrome screening also has certain disadvantages, mainly manifested in a high false positive rate. If the test results show high risk, it needs to be combined with invasive prenatal diagnosis.

3.2.2 Glucose tolerance test

After the examination, pregnant women can have a clearer understanding of the body's blood sugar regulation function and pancreatic beta cell function.

3.3 Late pregnancy

3.3.1 Vaginal flora

It can help to understand whether pregnant women have vaginal inflammation, which can prevent complications such as premature rupture of membranes, intrauterine infection, neonatal infection, and puerperal infection.

3.3.2 Group B hemolytic streptococcus detection

Group B hemolytic streptococcus is a relatively serious infectious disease in the perinatal period. Once a pregnant woman is infected, she will be at risk of premature birth, premature rupture of membranes, neonatal sepsis and postpartum infection.

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4. Problems that can be found during prenatal ultrasound examination:

Ultrasound examination is a painless, non-invasive examination technology that can obtain results quickly and does not cause radiation. It has been widely used in clinical practice.

4.1 Can determine whether the fetal development and growth is normal

The quality and gestational age of the fetus in the uterus can provide various valuable references.

4.2 Diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy

For example, when pregnant women have vaginal bleeding in early pregnancy (missed abortion, threatened abortion, early death of fertilized egg), ultrasound can provide evidence for whether the fetus has been missed. For ectopic pregnancy, double (horn) uterine pregnancy, hydatidiform mole, multiple pregnancy, etc., diagnosis can be made through real-time scanning sonogram analysis combined with the physical signs and medical history of the pregnant woman.

4.3 Sonographic diagnosis of the placenta

Ultrasound examination can be used to determine the position and thickness of the placenta, measure the maturity of the placenta, and detect problems such as placental abruption in a timely manner.

4.4 Sonographic images of fetal malformations

After 14 weeks of gestation, ultrasound can be used to determine whether the fetus has central nervous tube defects (including hydrocephalus, anencephaly, severe open spina bifida, etc.). By observing the size of the fetal heart outline through ultrasound, it can be preliminarily determined whether the fetus has congenital heart disease. In clinical practice, it is difficult to diagnose fetal hip tumors, conjoined twin malformations, visceral prolapse malformations, etc., but ultrasound can show abnormal images and then make a judgment.

5. Precautions for prenatal ultrasound examination

The key points to note during prenatal ultrasound examinations include: (1) Pregnant women need to drink water and hold their urine when undergoing abdominal ultrasound examinations in the early stages of pregnancy. This will allow the image to be presented more clearly during the ultrasound examination, making it easier for the doctor to observe the fetus's condition. In the later stages of pregnancy, it is not necessary to hold urine. (2) Pregnant women need to lie flat during ultrasound examinations, maintain steady breathing and mood, and relax as much as possible. This will make the image more stable and clear, allowing the doctor to examine and analyze more accurately. (3) Pregnant women should wear comfortable pants that are easy to put on and take off during ultrasound examinations. (4) Do not be hungry during ultrasound examinations in the second trimester. If you are hungry, the fetus will not cooperate, making it impossible to obtain accurate examination data.

Pregnant women should attach importance to prenatal ultrasound examinations and go to the hospital for examinations at the prescribed time to reduce the risk of fetal malformations, complete the screening of fetal abnormalities, and ensure the safety of mother and child and the smooth progress of delivery.