Early pregnancy ultrasound is carried out not only to obtain information about the condition of the fetus or possible pathologies, but also to confirm the fact of conception. In obstetric practice, ultrasound plays a dominant role in determining, monitoring the course of gestation, and diagnosing pathologies at the earliest stages. After the detection of conception, screening is carried out in each trimester to monitor the development of the fetus.
What ultrasound determines pregnancy
To determine conception, ultrasound is performed in two ways. At an early stage, the transvaginal method is preferred, since ultrasound of 2 weeks of pregnancy, which corresponds to the fourth to fifth week of the obstetric term, visualizes the fetal egg as a small point on the surface of the endometrium of the uterus. Until this time, the gestational sac is out of sight.
Ultrasound at the 3rd week of pregnancy is prescribed according to indications when alarming symptoms are detected to exclude ectopic attachment of the fetal egg.
The transabdominal method is used 2 weeks later, with a full bladder. It is possible to draw a conclusion about a successfully developing pregnancy only after the sixth week with the fixation of the embryo’s heartbeat.
How the research is conducted
Transvaginal ultrasound to determine pregnancy is as follows.
- The patient takes off her clothes below the waist.
- Takes a comfortable position on the couch, bending his knees.
- The doctor puts a personal protective device (condom) on the sensor, lubricates it with a special gel to improve conductivity, and inserts the sensor into the vagina.
- To improve the information content of the results, the doctor moves the sensor from side to side.
In the process, it captures the received data, attaches the snapshot to the conclusion.
The procedure does not cause painful sensations or physical discomfort, lasts 5-10 minutes. Gives a detailed picture of the state of the organs, the possible gestation period.
Contraindications for ultrasound
There are a number of contraindications to the transvaginal method of diagnosis. The procedure is not possible in the following cases:
- with the threat of spontaneous abortion
- in the second and third trimester, as the procedure may provoke uterine contractions and contractions
- in the presence of severe inflammatory processes in the vagina
- in cases of psychological discomfort from the procedure in a pregnant woman
In such situations, the study is carried out transabdominally.
At what time does ultrasound show pregnancy
When can I do an early pregnancy ultrasound to determine it? 5-7 days of delay or the third week after conception. The embryo acquires an oval appearance, the formation of the brain and spinal cord begins. The week after the start of the delay corresponds to the 21st day of embryo development or 5 obstetric weeks. At this time, the first ultrasound picture of pregnancy is taken.
Expected results of early pregnancy ultrasound
Ultrasound helps to establish the fact of the onset, to clarify the timing of pregnancy, to determine the number of embryos. Exclude developmental pathologies, ectopic pregnancy or anembryonia — the absence of an embryo in the fetal egg. Also, bladder drift is detected or pathologies of the uterus, appendages, fibroids, tumor processes or the presence of adhesions in the uterine cavity that threaten to be interrupted are diagnosed. Timely measures taken help in some cases to stop the process and save the child.