A complete overview of fetal ultrasound

The article was professionally consulted by Specialist Doctor I Le Hong Lien - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital.

Most pregnant women will have a fetal ultrasound. This method is simple and safe for both mother and baby. Ultrasound is one way to detect abnormalities and monitor fetal growth. Uses high-frequency sound waves to get an image of the fetus.

Fetal ultrasound is a method of using high-frequency sound waves to record images and development of the fetus while in the womb. Ultrasound is a safe method, without the use of ionizing radiation, so it does not affect the health of both mother and fetus.
Fetal ultrasound has 2 main purposes:
Monitor fetal development. Early detection and treatment of some abnormalities such as ectopic pregnancy, breech position, malformations, birth defects,... Check for changes in a woman's genital organs that may affect her health health of both mother and baby. Along with the development of science and technology, ultrasound also has a positive and modern change. From black and white ultrasound evolved to color ultrasound, from 2D ultrasound to 3D ultrasound, 4D ultrasound. Thereby providing more options for parents to accompany their child since he was just a fetus.

3D fetal ultrasound differs from 2D fetal ultrasound in that it shows the depth of the image. Thereby helping the process of observing the fetus become clearer. In many cases, detecting fetal abnormalities through tests or 2D ultrasound, doctors can assign mothers to conduct more 3D ultrasound to see these abnormalities more clearly in order to make a diagnosis and method. appropriate treatment.
The 3D pregnancy ultrasound procedure is similar to other types of ultrasound, from preparing the patient to applying gel and moving the ultrasound transducer to obtain a clear image. However, 3D fetal ultrasound uses a transducer and special software to create 3D images. In addition, the technicians performing this method also need to be thoroughly trained and methodical.

4D ultrasound is actually a 3D ultrasound technique, but instead of just capturing images, this technique can also create videos depicting fetal movements. Not only helps parents visualize the baby's shape, the 4D fetal ultrasound method also shows the baby's mouth, hand, and foot movements while in the womb. Detecting fetal abnormalities

This is the simplest form of fetal ultrasound, the images obtained from this technique are not too clear, difficult to detect fetal abnormalities. These days, due to the development of 3D and 4D ultrasound techniques, there are not many parents who use 2D fetal ultrasound anymore.

Birth defects or birth defects are defects that occur during the development of a baby in the womb. Birth defects can be mild, but they can also have serious consequences. Many types of birth defects affect a child's appearance, organ function, and physical and mental development.
Most fetal malformations usually appear in the first 3 months of pregnancy, this is the time when the baby's organs are gradually forming, so it is easy to have defects in the body.
Some causes that can lead to birth defects can be mentioned:
Heredity: The father or mother can carry mutated genes and pass them on to the zygote by fertilization. When the zygote develops into a fetus, it will carry these mutated genes, causing the child to have defects corresponding to that mutation. Maternal behavior and lifestyle: Many studies have shown that some birth defects are the result of mothers who regularly smoke, drink alcohol or use drugs during pregnancy Use some Medications and chemicals or having certain viral infections during pregnancy can also lead to babies with birth defects.

Increasingly developing technology leads to fetal ultrasound technique not only for the purpose of determining the sex or visualizing the shape of the baby, but today many parents also want to observe the day-to-day development of the baby. their children through modern techniques such as 3D, 4D color ultrasound,... In addition, another reason why they trust more modern techniques is the ability to detect fetal abnormalities, especially especially fetal malformations. Fetal malformations can bring heavy physical and mental consequences to the child's life later, so early detection by ultrasound is very meaningful, helping to reduce the burden of disease for the baby and the baby. family.
Vinmec International General Hospital offers a Package Maternity Care Program for pregnant women right from the first months of pregnancy with a full range of antenatal care visits, periodical 3D and 4D ultrasounds and routine tests to ensure that the mother is healthy and the fetus is developing comprehensively.
Specialist I Le Hong Lien has been an obstetrician-gynecologist at Vinmec Central Park International Hospital since November 2016. Doctor Lien has over 10 years of experience as a radiologist in the Department of Ultrasound at the leading hospital in the field of obstetrics and gynecology in the South - Tu Du Hospital.
Source: healthline.com