Doppler ultrasound in pregnancy: indications for use

As a rule, a woman during pregnancy, in addition to standard ultrasound, is prescribed dopplerometry. Doppler ultrasound in pregnancy is an additional form of ultrasound, which examines the blood flow in the fetus, as well as in the placenta and the mother. A similar study is conducted to determine the condition of the fetus, the level of nutrients that it receives. This type of research is prescribed when the doctor sees this as a necessity. Often this happens when there are certain indications. So, doppler during pregnancy will be assigned unequivocally, if:

1. If the size of the fetus does not match the period of pregnancy.
2. If the pathology of placenta development is traced, as well as too much amniotic fluid , etc.
3. If a woman has diabetes, anemia or kidney disease.
4. Multiple pregnancy or pregnancy, where the Rh factor of the mother and child do not coincide.
5. Gestosis (various complications during pregnancy)
6. The presence of pathologies during the course of previous pregnancies.

Like traditional ultrasound, ultrasound doppler during pregnancy is prescribed for certain periods of gestation.

The first study is prescribed approximately at the 5th-6th week of pregnancy, when the blood circulation in the uterus increases. In this case, the blood flow in her arteries is measured, which allows to draw a conclusion about the level of development of the fetus and its compliance with the timing.

The results of doppler during pregnancy at the age of 18-20 help doctors diagnose the possible development of cardiac pathologies. The last study is scheduled for approximately 28-29 weeks. It allows you to determine the overall level of development and condition of the fetus, as well as possible anemia and the level of development of pregnancy.

A doppler ultrasound in pregnancy enables the woman's doctor to follow the features of the blood circulation in all the vessels of the umbilical cord, the arteries of the brain and the uterus. The study is important precisely during the bearing of the baby, since during this period there is the possibility of developing blood stasis or thrombosis of the vessels.

Blood flow indicators are the most important criterion for determining the fetal condition as a whole. If by research some pathologies or deviations from the norm of development are determined, further pregnancy should proceed in a stationary manner. Some possibilities of Doppler, which are not in traditional ultrasound, allow a more detailed study of the fetus.

There are four main types of ultrasound doppler:

1. Portable type of diagnostic study is the most complete method, allowing to fully investigate the blood flow.
2. Double research using the Doppler method (the most common type) is conducted on the basis of traditional ultrasound.
3. Color dopplerhophy, the result of which is a color image, on which blood vessels are visible. This study is focused on determining the rate of circulation.
4. The last kind of Doppler is using the method of hypersensitivity to detect blood flow. This method is not as widely used as the previous ones.

As a rule, to obtain the most accurate and complete results of the examination, doctors prescribe combinations of Doppler species.

In conclusion, we note that ultrasound doppler during pregnancy requires certain conditions. So, two weeks before the procedure, you should stop smoking and eating those foods that contain nicotine. Immediately before the study, you need to remove all ornaments and lie on your back or left side. Doppler duration varies from a few minutes to half an hour. It all depends on the level of difficulty in the course of pregnancy and is controlled by a specialist.