Ultrasound in pregnancy

Ultrasound examination, in addition to determining the age of pregnancy, examines the morphology and condition of the fetus. Each period of pregnancy carries certain examination specifics .

What does an ultrasound of a baby look like at the Novakovic Polyclinic?

While you are lying down, a trained specialist in obstetrics and gynecology uses a modern ultrasound device. A 2D image of the baby is formed, which you will see on the screen. Instead of 2D display, 3D or 4D technology can be used – which gives you a more advanced display. In the case of 4D technology, the display is like a live broadcast of baby’s movements. Color Doppler is also used for the insight into fetal condition, that is, to check the blood flow through the mother’s blood vessels, umbilical cord and fetal blood vessels. During the ultrasound examination, you will be able to notice the baby’s heartbeat, and maybe even catch the moment of the baby’s thumb sucking or yawning.

In the first trimester, an ultrasound examination is performed as part of the screening of the first trimester for fetal aneuploidies (changes in the hereditary basis), but in that period certain anatomical anomalies can be detected, which do not always have to be related to heredity.

From the 15th to the 20th week of pregnancy, the fetus has the most water in relation to the volume of the uterus, so the large anatomy of the fetus, such as the extremities, the spinal column, but also other structures, can be adequately seen. In addition, certain soft markers can be detected, which indicate disorders of the hereditary basis, and which are specific for that period of pregnancy.

From the 20th to the 26th week of pregnancy, an expert ultrasound examination is performed, with which all anatomical structures and the work of all fetal organs are acuratelly looked into.

Ultrasound can also show the sex of the baby – so if you do not want to find out before the birth whether you are carrying a boy or a girl, be sure to emphasize it to our gynecologist.

Ultrasound examinations are performed once a month during a normal pregnancy, and if you have a high-risk pregnancy or are carrying a multiple pregnancy (twins, triplets …), in such a case ultrasound examinations are performed more often and in agreement with our gynecologist.