Is it B-ultrasound or vaginal ultrasound for NT?

Pregnant mothers need to create a prenatal health management file from pregnancy to delivery, and also undergo a series of examinations as prescribed by the doctor. For example, progesterone level test, glucose tolerance test, Down syndrome screening, NT test and so on. Everyone may be familiar with these terms in the prenatal examination files, but do not have a deeper understanding. Today, let's learn and train whether NT is a transvaginal ultrasound or a B-ultrasound.

Is NT a vaginal ultrasound or a B-ultrasound?

The NT test is also one of the diagnostic bases for early Down screening. The purpose of the test is to diagnose chromosomal diseases in the early stages of pregnancy and to detect fetal abnormalities caused by various reasons. This NT test is a B-ultrasound, not a vaginal ultrasound. Doctors will try not to perform vaginal ultrasound during pregnancy.

The difference between NT test and Down syndrome screening

1. NT screening refers to the thickness of the nuchal translucency and the blood cell test of pregnant women. The nuchal translucency refers to the space behind the fetus's neck where water is stored in the subcutaneous tissue. During an ultrasound scan, the doctor will carefully measure the thickness of the space between the skin and tissue. The nuchal translucency will be significantly thickened in fetuses with chromosomal abnormalities, especially in babies with Down syndrome. Generally, Down syndrome is more likely to occur in older mothers. Medical papers have confirmed that the thicker the nuchal translucency of the fetus, the higher the probability of chromosomal abnormalities. NT screening is performed between 11 and 13 weeks of pregnancy.

2. Down syndrome screening is a test method that extracts blood cells from pregnant women, tests the concentrations of alpha-fetoprotein, human gonadotropin and free estriol in the mother's blood cells, and calculates the risk of having a fetus with congenital defects based on the pregnant woman's due date, weight, age, weight and weeks of pregnancy when blood is drawn. The time for Down syndrome screening is 15 to 20 weeks of pregnancy.

3. NT is a B-ultrasound used to screen for trisomy 21 at around 11-13 weeks of pregnancy, while Down syndrome screening is based on blood cell markers used for screening at around 15-18 weeks of pregnancy. They are tests in different stages and methods, and sometimes both tests are required together.

In general, this is my understanding and opinion on the question of whether NT should be done by transvaginal ultrasound or B-ultrasound. I hope it can help everyone. A series of prenatal examinations are all for the purpose of having a healthy baby. Although it is difficult, pregnant mothers need to persevere. Until the moment the newborn is born, all the hardships feel worth it because life is continued.