Periodic pregnancy ultrasound milestones pregnant women need to remember

The article was professionally consulted by Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Tu - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Vinmec Times City International Hospital.

It is very important to perform an ultrasound during pregnancy, thereby helping the mother know whether the fetus is developing normally or not. According to Dr. Nguyen Ngoc Tu - Doctor of Obstetrics and Gynecology Ultrasound at Vinmec Times City Hospital, below are the important milestones that pregnant women need to remember and go for a pregnancy ultrasound.

Ultrasound screening for fetal abnormalities usually takes about 15-30 minutes. However, in some cases when the fetus is difficult to evaluate due to difficult posture or too much movement, or the mother is slightly overweight or the thick abdominal wall tissue obstructs, making it more difficult for the ultrasound waves to pass, then the doctor Ultrasound will be difficult to get a good angle to evaluate the fetus. Therefore, sometimes it may take a longer time for an ultrasound or appointment to a next appointment.

2. Pregnancy ultrasound milestones Depending on each specific case, the doctor can specify the time and number of ultrasounds for each person differently, but there are 3 times of ultrasound during pregnancy that experts recommend. absolutely necessary: ​​
From 11 weeks to 13 weeks 6 days From 18 weeks to 22 weeks From 30 weeks to 32 weeks 2.1 Ultrasound screening for fetal abnormalities at 11 weeks to 13 weeks 6 days Ultrasound screening for abnormalities Chromosomes Assess gestational age and expected delivery by head and rump length (which is the most accurate time to evaluate by ultrasound) Screening for risk of chromosomal abnormalities Diagnosing fetal and placental counts amniotic fluid volume if your pregnancy is multiple. Early observation of fetal anatomical structures such as arms, legs, abdominal wall, heart, skull, placenta... to detect major fetal abnormalities Assessment of intracerebral space (IT) according to FMF criteria for early detection of neural tube defects. Screening for preeclampsia.

2.2 Screening ultrasound for fetal malformations 18 weeks to 22 weeks – Fetal morphology ultrasound Is the best time in pregnancy to evaluate structural abnormalities of the fetus. 18 weeks is the time when a detailed assessment of fetal structure can be started and 22 weeks is the best time for evaluation.
Observe the morphology and structure of the skull and brain. Observe the baby's face to determine if there is a cleft lip or cleft palate. Observe the baby's spine, make sure the bones are full, aligned and there is no spinal gap. Observe the abdominal wall, make sure the abdominal wall is continuous, covering all internal organs. Observe the fetal heart, evaluate the major arteries and veins that carry blood to and from the heart. Observe the baby's stomach. Observe the baby's kidneys and bladder. Make sure to have enough 2 kidneys, normal structure, normal urinary system function. Observe your baby's arms, hands, legs, and feet. Is the best time to evaluate, make sure the hands, feet have enough toes, limbs are working normally Observe the placenta, umbilical cord and amniotic fluid. Measure the length of the cervix to assess the risk of preterm birth Assess the baby's development status, measure the baby's biological indicators, ..to assess whether the baby's development corresponds to the gestational age, yes Is it small and if it is small, what are the risks? On ultrasound, depending on the disease, there are diseases that are easier to detect, and there are diseases depending on the level of expression. Although ultrasound screening for fetal malformations can rule out most malformations: it cannot rule out all fetal abnormalities.

2.3 Pregnancy ultrasound 30 weeks to 32 weeks – Ultrasound assessment of fetal growth Like at 22 weeks, the doctor will measure the biological indicators of the fetus to assess whether the fetus is developing normally, the fetus is small or larger than usual.
Evaluation of fetal circulation through major arteries. From there, assess the risk of hypoxia, impaired placental function of the fetus. Indications for additional tests and ultrasounds with problems if encountered in large and small fetuses Assessment of fetal organ structures same as week 22 and note some differences Assess abnormalities in mature structures late in pregnancy such as brain smoothing... Evaluate abnormalities during organ development pregnancy such as intestinal obstruction, .. Evaluate acquired abnormalities due to typical external factors such as Zika infection, CMV,...

It's not uncommon for you to be concerned when your ultrasound shows a problem. However, problems on sonography can range from large, obvious, serious abnormalities to minor problems, which are just structural variations with no consequences. So when ultrasound suspects a problem, you will be transferred to a specialist in fetal medicine for advice and guidance on diagnosis and treatment in detail.
The entire pregnancy monitoring process under the package Maternity care program at Vinmec International General Hospital is strictly implemented, limiting and not omitting all problems of the fetus. treated right from the fetal stage, some have to wait until birth to be treated. At Vinmec, we have solved many difficult cases such as: combed vegetables, knotted umbilical cord, pregnancy care,..
Depending on the abnormality, you will be guided and advised step by step: things to pay attention to. the next step in your pregnancy, make a birth plan for you, make a plan for your baby's postpartum care, plan a caesarean section if needed, guide your baby after discharge from the hospital...Regardless of the type, This is also the time when you need the most support, not just medical.
In addition to the accurate, scientific, and quality antenatal checkup process of the ultrasound system, modern equipped medical equipment will handle abnormalities during pregnancy and labor quickly to mothers have the safest pregnancy.

The system of ultrasound machines and modern medical equipment at Vinmec will handle abnormalities during pregnancy so that the mother can have the safest pregnancy.
When registering for the Maternity Package program at Vinmec International General Hospital, mothers are comprehensively monitored from pregnancy, fetal ultrasound milestones, to childbirth and postpartum, helping with childbirth. become more comfortable and light.