Archive for August, 2011

The journal, Obstetrics and Gynecology, quotes that 50% of the pregnant woman had done diagnostic ultrasound in 1990 and the result was that 80% did not need any ultrasound and had an unnecessary expenditure of $ I Billion per year.

Whenever a mother needs to go for ultrasound it is better to know the advantages of the test and the risks that go with it. She should know if the tests are really necessary and if it would affect her baby or her care. If it is not going to affect her care in any way then there is no need for the ultrasound test. The mother should make herself fully aware of the advantages, risks and the real need of the ultrasound test before going for the test.

The Benefit of Ultrasound

The ACOG patient education flier says that ultrasound is not a must for every mother to be. But nowadays it is more of a practice than the need. But this test helps in detecting ectopic pregnancy, pelvic inflammatory disease, tumors, uterine cancer, congenital defects, endometriosis and cysts.

The ultrasound also finds out the correct age and weight of the fetus, the proper placement of placenta and the quantity of the amniotic fluid and also some birth defects. In case of gestational diabetics even ultrasound does not give appropriate result as the baby gains the necessary weight. It aids in amniocentesis to check the babys position.

Otto and Platt says that ultrasound helps to know the exact date of the pregnancy. But the error varies from +5 days in the first trimester, +8days in the second trimester and +22 days in the third or the last trimester.