Doppler ultrasound during pregnancy: what it is, a description of the procedure and a transcript

Throughout the duration of pregnancy, a woman must undergo a number of studies, including ultrasound. With the help of ultrasound it is possible to determine the condition of the fetus, the usefulness of its development and, if necessary, to prescribe treatment in a timely manner or make a radical decision regarding further pregnancy.

What is dopplerography?

Many women who have a baby for the first time are interested in the question: "Doppler ultrasound during pregnancy - what is it?". At its core, dopplerography is a type of ultrasound. The main objective of the study is to assess the state of blood circulation in the arteries of the uterus, placenta and umbilical cord and determine the functionality of the fetal site. Dopplerometry makes it possible to detect circulatory disorders, which carries a very high prognostic value. This type of study allows you to determine the presence of placental insufficiency or to identify delays in the development of the fetus.

Diagnosis is carried out in the format of "mother-placenta-baby." This type of examination is required for every pregnant woman.

Distinctive features

There is a huge difference between conventional ultrasound and dopplerography. The latter technique has such distinctive features:

• allows you to determine how healthy the heart muscle in a child is;
• determines the patency of the vessels of the umbilical cord;
• evaluates the functioning of the placenta;
• makes it possible to detect entanglement of the fetus with an umbilical cord;
• allows you to determine how well the blood vessels of the fetus are supplied with blood;
• reveals the presence of fetal hypoxia.

The device allows you to set the speed of blood flow, and in different vessels and arteries of the brain, umbilical cord, aorta and uterus of the mother.

When is the examination scheduled?

As soon as a woman becomes pregnant, she should find out when the Doppler ultrasound during pregnancy is performed. Therefore, as soon as possible it is necessary to contact a medical institution and register. Depending on the condition of the future mother, the presence of chronic diseases and age, the doctor develops a specific plan of action, selects the necessary studies. Dopplerography is mandatory two times during the period of gestation. The first examination is carried out between the 18th and 21st weeks of pregnancy. The second falls on a period of 32-34 weeks.

Doppler ultrasound during pregnancy: what is it? First of all, this is the definition of the norm. If there are deviations between the limited dates, additional doppler studies may be prescribed. Factors that may prompt a doctor to prescribe a study include:

• increased blood pressure in a woman;
• the presence of bad habits, from which the expectant mother did not want to give up for the period of gestation;
• pathology of the kidneys;
• low water or polyhydramnios;
• preeclampsia;
• toxicosis;
• chronic and hereditary pathologies present in the anamnesis;
• rhesus conflict;
• the presence of more than one fetus;
• diabetes;
• preeclampsia;
• mismatch of pregnancy with fetal size;
• poor cardiotocography.

Study preparation

To make a Doppler ultrasound during pregnancy, no preliminary preparation is required, because this is a standard ultrasound technique.

The only thing that can alert the patient: she can hear the beat of the fetal heart and sounds characteristic of the flow of blood through the veins and arteries. But this does not need to be afraid, this is just a distinguishing feature of this type of examination.

How is the diagnosis carried out and is it harmful?

A common question: "How do ultrasound dopplers do during pregnancy?" Diagnostic measures for the patient are no different from conventional ultrasound. A woman lies on a couch, a special gel is applied to her stomach, and a study is being conducted. But then the actions of the doctor are somewhat different. To begin with, an ordinary examination is carried out and when a “suspicious” vessel is detected, the Doppler function on the ultrasound machine is turned on. After that, the monitor will see a closeup of the vessel, blood flow. The device is able to independently detect deviations from the norm and provide information.

There is no harm in the diagnosis on an ultrasound machine, so there is no need to worry. More harm to oneself and the fetus can be done if worried. On the contrary, diagnostics can prevent possible complications.

Over the past 50 years, many studies have been conducted that have not revealed any negative effects on the human body of ultrasound devices.

Types of Research

The examination can be carried out in two modes:

1. duplex;
2. triplex.

Duplex mode - what is it? Doppler ultrasound during pregnancy in this mode allows you to get almost complete information about the vessel, to assess its patency and, if there are violations, to identify them in a timely manner.

The triplex mode is just a color image that gives a complete picture of what is happening in the test vessel. The results obtained in this mode are considered more reliable.

Norms for diagnosis

For most women, there is little knowledge about what it is - Doppler ultrasound during pregnancy. They want to know which indicators are the norm, and in which cases deviations can indicate problems with the fetus.

When diagnosing, three main indicators are taken into account:

1. SDO or C / D, that is, a systolic-diastolic ratio. The indicator is calculated by dividing the maximum blood speed in the systole (that is, fixed at the time of contraction of the heart muscle) by the speed that is fixed at the time of relaxation of the heart (i.e., a diastolic indicator). For each vessel, the indicators are completely different.
2. Resistance Index (IR). It is determined by dividing the difference between the maximum and minimum blood flow velocity.
3. The pulsation index (PI) is also determined by dividing, but the difference between the maximum and minimum speeds is divided by the average blood flow over the entire cardiac cycle.

All these indicators are combined into one group - ASC, that is, vascular resistance indices.

Norms for Doppler ultrasound during pregnancy

Uterine arteries:

Spiral Arteries:

Umbilical arteries:

The boundary indicators are indicated in the tables, that is, the parameter that does not exceed the one given in the table is considered normal.

If you find deviations from the norm, then you should not immediately panic. On the contrary, the doctor has the opportunity to start therapy as quickly as possible and prevent an unfavorable outcome of pregnancy.

If blood flow disorders are detected

Detected deviations in the interpretation of Doppler ultrasound during pregnancy can confirm the presence and degree of violations in the uteroplacental and fetal-placental system.

When confirming the first degree of blood flow disturbance, there is a big chance that the pregnancy will still be full-term, and the delivery will take place naturally. But this is possible if before birth there are no complications and deterioration of blood flow.

In principle, the first degree of deviation from the norm does not lead to fetal death. Usually an examination is carried out with a frequency of 2 weeks and CTG is monitored. The blood pressure of the expectant mother is subject to mandatory control.

In the second stage, blood flow problems are observed in the vessels of the uterus and umbilical cord. In such a situation, a woman and a child require constant monitoring in a medical facility. It is possible to carry out therapeutic measures that will eliminate the oxygen starvation of the fetus.

The third stage of blood flow disturbance is characterized by the fact that high-speed quantitative indicators tend to zero. Reverse blood flow may occur at a time when the heart muscle is relaxed. In such a situation, the following measures may be taken:

• if the gestational age is 22 or more weeks, then surgery may be recommended;
• if the period is still too short, then intensive therapy is prescribed so that the woman can deliver the fetus at least up to 22 weeks.
  

Home Examination

Medicine and technology do not stand still. To date, even a device has been developed that allows you to monitor the development of the fetus at home. In this case, the question will not arise at what period of pregnancy an ultrasound Doppler is performed. Although you should not skip scheduled diagnostics, especially if there is a history of factors predisposing to a deterioration in blood flow or chronic diseases.

Portable Doppler allows you to clearly hear the baby’s heartbeat, and this is the calmness of the mother. If you have any suspicions regarding the health of the fetus, you can immediately consult a doctor.

Gynecologists recommend using such an apparatus not earlier than the onset of the 16th week. For procedures, you need to purchase gel of only high quality and from trusted suppliers.

What do pregnant women say?

Today, there is only a small percentage of women who in every possible way avoid examinations after the conception of a child, including ultrasound. In most cases, the expectant mother is ready to take care of the health of her baby. However, the reality is that even a blood test cannot be done for free.

The average price of a doppler ultrasound during pregnancy is 1.5-2 thousand rubles. If we talk about a full screening and volumetric study, which can be supplemented by video recording, then such a “pleasure” will cost 4-5 thousand rubles. As a rule, the price varies depending on the status of the clinic and location.

At the same time, there should be an ultrasound machine with a Doppler function in the state clinic where the expectant mother is being served. If a doctor sends a woman for examination in the direction, then it should be carried out free of charge.

Finally

When a child is desired and a woman is worried about his health, the question of how much an ultrasound doppler costs during pregnancy does not arise. There will always be money to prevent possible disastrous consequences. The expectant mother should not neglect the recommendations of the doctor in order to inform the pregnancy and give birth to the baby in due time.