Ultrasonography has cavitating effects on tissues, non-cavitating effects and hyperthermia (increased temperature) effects on tissues. These effects occur depending on the intensity, frequency and exposure process.
Thanks to these features used in ultrasonography, it is used in breaking kidney stones, brain tumors, brain surgery and prenatal pregnancy follow-up. For the intensity of prenatal ultrasonography used in pregnancy follow-up that does not damage tissues with cavitation and hyperthermia, [American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM)] recommends a maximum of 94 mW.cm-2. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and the American College of Radiologists (ACR), which are associations formed by respected obstetricians and radiologists in America, state that ultrasonography with the frequency and intensity used in pregnancy is reliable. The AIUM association, on the other hand, recommends that its use be limited to the shortest possible time during pregnancy due to the potential for possible negative effects on tissues, and that non-medical applications such as gender, 3D or 4D images should be avoided for a long time. As a result, there is no data to date that ultrasonography used during pregnancy causes disabilities or anomalies in babies, and respected associations worldwide consider ultrasonography to be reliable, considering its benefits in pregnancy follow-up. Some associations, on the other hand, recommend that ultrasonography during pregnancy be limited to medical requirements only.
Ultrasonographic examinations during pregnancy follow-up are defined as obstetric ultrasonography. Today, with the developing technology, real-time ultrasonography devices are used to project images of the fetus in motion onto the screen and allow the examination of the fetus. High-frequency sound waves are used to provide images of the fetus. These sound waves are produced by a probe called a transducer. The probe is the device that is in contact with the expectant mother's abdomen. The sound waves emitted by the probe are reflected from different tissues, at different rates and forms, and return to the transducer. Such different reflections are converted into images by the computer. This image viewed on the monitor is defined as an ultrasonogram. The baby's movements and fetal heartbeats can be monitored on the monitor in this way. In this way, it is possible to detect abnormalities and development in the baby.
What is the ultrasound schedule during pregnancy?
There is no specific number of ultrasound examinations that pregnant women should have during this process. An ultrasound examination can be performed if there is an abnormality or an abnormality is detected during pregnancy. The first diagnosis of pregnancy is made by detecting the presence of pregnancy within 1-2 weeks following a delay in menstruation. After this stage, an ultrasound examination can be performed during the routine check-ups of the pregnant woman, as well as a detailed ultrasound at 18-20 weeks when only anomalies can be detected, and an ultrasound examination can be performed at 34 weeks to examine the position and size of the baby. There is no harm in performing an ultrasound at every routine check-up.
Does ultrasound during pregnancy harm the baby?
The use of ultrasound during pregnancy has been practiced for approximately 40 years. Since this method does not use ionizing radiation as in X-ray, it does not cause a toxic effect on the development of the fetus. Although there is a slight heating of the tissues when the ultrasound waves are present for a long time, this has no harmful effect on humans. The greatest risk of ultrasound examinations during pregnancy is the examinations performed by people who do not have sufficient experience. The examination of anomalies on the fetus by these people leads to extremely dangerous results. In order to prevent this, it is recommended that at least one of the ultrasound examinations to be performed during pregnancy be performed by another physician.
Ultrasonography has cavitating effects on tissues, non-cavitating effects and heat increase. These occur depending on the intensity, exposure and frequency process. These features of ultrasonography are used in breaking kidney stones, in brain surgery and in monitoring the pregnancy process during pregnancy. Studies have shown that ultrasonography with the intensity and frequency used during pregnancy is reliable. No tangible disability or anomaly has been detected in babies. However, experts still recommend that the duration of use of ultrasonography during pregnancy be kept as long as necessary in order to prevent the possible negative effects of ultrasonography on tissues. It is not recommended that arbitrary applications such as taking 3D or 4D images in ultrasonography and gender be performed for a long time.
The ultrasound method to be used during pregnancy should only be used when necessary and should not be preferred outside of medical necessity. In addition, ultrasonography is an application that can have countless benefits when used correctly during pregnancy. If these uses are evaluated, the following determinations can be made easily.
What are the purposes of using ultrasonography during pregnancy?
Diagnosis and evaluation of early pregnancy: The gestational sac can be detected by ultrasonography at 4.5 weeks.
Risk of miscarriage: If the mother-to-be has a risk of bleeding in the early period, this method can be used to determine whether the fetus is alive or not. The baby's heartbeat can be detected at 5-6 weeks. The presence of an empty sac or a baby that has died in the womb can also be detected with ultrasonography. Molar pregnancy or ectopic pregnancy are also among those that can be detected.
Evaluation of the gestational sac and fetal size: In order to determine the age of pregnancy, the length of the fetus must be determined. These criteria are more important in the early stages. Especially in expectant mothers who do not have regular menstrual periods or who cannot remember the date of their last menstrual period, these measurements provide information about the week of pregnancy, and fetal measurements made in later periods provide information about the baby's development. The parameters evaluated during pregnancy follow-up are;
Crown-rump distance: This is a measurement taken between the 7th and 13th weeks of pregnancy. This value may give an error of 3-4 days regarding the gestational age.
Biparietal diameter: This is the distance between the parietal bones on each side of the head. This measurement can be made after 13 weeks of pregnancy. However, if done in the late stages of pregnancy, it will not be very safe.
Femur length: This measurement is the measurement of the femur bone between the hip and the knee. This bone is the longest bone in humans. This value is important because it reflects the longitudinal development of the baby.
Abdominal circumference: This measurement is an important value taken in the last stages of pregnancy. This value provides information about the development and size of the fetus rather than the age of pregnancy. The weight of the fetus can be determined approximately by evaluating the values obtained with ultrasound together.
Detection of the location of the placenta: Placental anomalies can be detected through obstetric ultrasonography.
Determination of multiple pregnancies: Ultrasonography is used to determine multiple pregnancies. In addition, factors such as the position of the babies, determination of transfusion syndrome diseases among the babies, the number of placentas and amniotic sacs are also determined by ultrasonography.
Amniotic fluid diseases: Decrease or increase in amniotic fluid can also be detected by ultrasonography. In these determinations, fetal anomalies should be evaluated correctly.
Detailed ultrasonography (Fetal anomalies): Fetal anomalies can be detected with detailed ultrasonography performed on a 20-week pregnant woman. During these examinations, hydrocephalus, diaphragmatic hernia and anomalies of the internal organs can be detected.
Other applications: Ultrasonography is the only tool used to detect some conditions of the baby. Detection of a baby lost in the womb, determination of the baby's position in the womb and determination of the baby's well-being can be defined by the ultrasound method.
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