First ultrasound in pregnancy
It is the first meeting, one of the most exciting, of future parents with their child. Let's talk about the first ultrasound, which is typically performed in the first trimester of pregnancy.
The first ultrasound at how many weeks is it done?
It depends. If done early, around 6-7 weeks, what you see is just a "green bean" with a small beating heart. If performed later, after 10 weeks, a "miniature baby" can be seen instead. In both cases, the tear is guaranteed for mom and dad. (Read also: the first gynecological examination in pregnancy)
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In this article
- What is seen in the first ultrasound
- Nuchal translucency and combined test
What information does the first trimester ultrasound provide
What it consists of
The 12th week ultrasound is done via a gynecological examination. The doctor may possibly also carry out aechography.
In the first ultrasound we see:
- whether it is a single or twin pregnancy
- the viability of the fetus
- the gestational epoda
- first evaluation of the anatomy of the fetus (if done around 11-12 weeks)
The first trimester ultrasound allows first to discover the number of fetuses present, and therefore of understand if the pregnancy is single or twin, and their vitality. It also helps you establish accurately the time of pregnancy correcting, if necessary, the estimated due date calculated on the basis of the last menstruation. For this, it is often known as dating ultrasound.
It's not all. If done around 11-12 weeks, an ultrasound allows you to do one first evaluation of the anatomy of the fetus, identifying any anomalies that, at this time, are generally very important. "For example, we can already highlight some anomalies of the heart, which completes its development at 10 weeks" underlines Nicola Persico, XNUMXst level executive doctor at the Obstetric and Gynecological Clinic in our city. "In this way, suspicions can be identified for additional investigations, such as a level II ultrasound or fetal echocardiography."
The same goes for other organs or other anatomical parts, such as the brain, stomach, bladder or limbs, of which the most serious malformations can be highlighted as early as 13 weeks. And the kidneys? "At this time it is difficult to discern exactly the renal lodges, which will delineate well from the 18th week, however the visualization of the bladder alone is an important indicator of the presence of at least one kidney", specifies Rossana, specialist in gynecology and obstetrics. in Genoa.
Read also: The first visit to the gynecologist in pregnancyThe nuchal translucency, the combined test and the fetal DNA test
The combined test
Also during the first trimester, and precisely between 11 and 13 + 6 weeks, the ultrasound can be part of the combined test (or bi-test or ultrascreening), a screening test for some chromosomal abnormalities and in particular Down syndrome, or trisomy 18 or trisomy 13.
It is a test that combines the measurement with ultrasound of the so-called translucenza nucale - that is, the measurement of a small layer of liquid that collects behind the nape of the fetus in this gestational period - at maternal blood dosage of two substances of placental origin, Beta-hCG (free beta fraction of chorionic gonadotropin) and PAPP-A (plasma protein A associated with pregnancy).
Overall, the values obtained from these tests, together with the maternal age data, provide an estimate of the risk that the child may be affected by a chromosomal abnormality. If this risk is increased by the combined test, the woman will be able to evaluate the opportunity to undergo invasive tests, such as villocentesis or amniocentesis, to have a certain diagnosis.
Warning: the combined test is not performed routinely, but only after the woman has received adequate information about it and has given her consent to undergo the examination.
Fetal DNA test
The fetal DNA test is a screening test. It can be done starting from the XNUMXth week of pregnancy and its main advantage is that it is an absolutely non-invasive examination, which therefore it does not involve dangers for the mother and the baby. Compared to the Down syndrome risk estimate, fetal DNA testing is currently the most accurate screening test.
If successful furthermore, the result must be confirmed with an invasive method during the fetal DNA test.
Sources for this article: 2022 Guidelines of the Del Paesena Society of Obstetric and Gynecological Ultrasound (Sieog); ebook Easy obstetric pregnancy by gynecologist Valentina, consultancy by Giuseppe Calì, president of Sieog; consultancy Nicola Persico, XNUMXst level executive doctor at the Obstetric and Gynecological Clinic in our city; Rossana consultancy, specialist in gynecology and obstetrics in Genoa.
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MyModernParents services to cope well with pregnancy:
- Calculate your pregnancy week
- Calculate the estimated date of delivery online
- Calculate the length of the fetus
- Mammenellarete blog: here you can read many stories about pregnancy
Mom Nancy's first ultrasound
I still didn't believe it ... It was very strange that feeling of having a dot inside that after a few months would become a puppy (my sweet Asya) We had just got married, our life was not economically the best yet, only he worked and we were still from mine. In fact, our little ant was really unexpected ... It was December 20, 2022, the echo was at 17.00. My husband that day finished work at 19 pm, I decided to be accompanied by my mother, who from happiness was skyrocketing even though she was the third granddaughter ...
Read the full story about Mom Nancy's first ultrasound
Read also: Ultrasound in the fifth week of pregnancyQuestions and answers
First ultrasound in pregnancy: is it internal or external?
Ultrasound done at as early as the sixth week is transvaginal.
When to do the first ultrasound?
It should be done between 6 and 14 weeks.
TAG:
- early pregnancy ultrasound
