Modern technologies in medicine are developing rapidly. What you could only fantasize about a decade ago, today has become a reality. One such example is the use of an ultrasound device as a diagnostic method during pregnancy. A few years ago, such a procedure was carried out exclusively according to indications. Today, such a diagnostic method is recommended for all pregnant women. In addition, ultrasound has become not only an exclusively medical procedure, but also the psychological unity of the mother with her fetus - many women consider such a procedure the first acquaintance with their child. This effect is achieved due to the fact that the modern ultrasound machine 4D allows you to display on the monitor not only a static image, but also the movements of the unborn baby in real time. Read more about what such a diagnostic procedure is in this article.
Four-dimensional ultrasound during pregnancy - what is it?
Ultrasound examination is a diagnostic procedure that is carried out using special medical equipment. Such an examination is used in various fields of medicine in order to determine various pathologies. But in obstetrics, such a procedure is most in demand. So, pregnant women are assigned a scheduled ultrasound examination three times during the entire period of gestation, if necessary, additional procedures are possible. But if earlier the specified diagnostics was carried out solely with the aim of determining possible pathologies of the course of pregnancy, then with the development of technologies such a procedure helps not only to timely identify various violations in the health status of the future mother and her baby. Today, ultrasound examination of pregnant women is perceived as communication, unity with the baby.
Diagnostic Features
What is the feature of ultrasound 4D? Note that any ultrasound examination is a procedure during which, due to the refraction of waves directed by a special device, a black and white image is displayed on the monitor. But if two-dimensional ultrasound involves only a planar image, then 3D diagnostics displays the depth, height and length of the image.
As for the ultrasound 4D, then in this case, such a parameter as time is still added. Thus, it becomes possible to assess the condition of a pregnant woman and her fetus at the moment in real time. Therefore, it can be argued that such a diagnostic procedure is reliable, efficient and highly accurate data.
In addition, during the procedure, future parents can accurately see the features of their baby, observe his movements. So, patients describe cases when, during a four-dimensional ultrasound examination, they watched the baby turn over, suck a finger, grab himself by the leg. Indeed, thanks to the development of technology, this has become possible.
Note that many clinics do not share three-dimensional and four-dimensional research, but designate the service as "Ultrasound 3D / 4D." This is due to the fact that most often during the diagnosis it becomes necessary to fix both a static image and a dynamic one.
How long does it take?
According to the order of the Ministry of Health, with the normal development of pregnancy, a planned ultrasound examination is prescribed three times: in the first, second and third trimester. But to carry out all of these studies using four-dimensional diagnostics is impractical. So, if you apply this technology in the early stages, then due to the fact that the baby has not yet developed subcutaneous fatty tissue, it is likely that the fetal bones will display ultrasound. Thus, on the monitor you can see the skeleton and internal organs of the child, which not only reduces the medical information content of the examination, but can also adversely affect the mental, moral state of the future mother.
In the later stages, it is also not meaningful to prescribe such a diagnosis, since the device will be able to cover only certain parts of the body of a grown up baby.
When is it recommended to perform 4D ultrasound? 20 weeks of gestation is the best time. It is during this period that such a diagnosis will be the most informative. Typically, this procedure is prescribed as part of perinatal screening.
What is being investigated?
The diagnostic procedure 4D-ultrasound during pregnancy is carried out in order to determine various pathologies of fetal development. What do experts research?
- The size of the fetus (length, weight, fronto-occipital size of the head, circumference of the abdomen and head, measurements of the femur and shoulder joint).
- A pathology such as cleft lip is determined.
- Sex of the fetus.
- The location of the placenta, as well as the absence or presence of tone.
- The condition of the umbilical cord is assessed, the presence of entanglement is determined (if necessary, Doppler measurement is prescribed).
- The thickness and maturity of the placenta.
- Amniotic fluid volume.
In addition, during additional tests that are included in the perinatal screening complex, the doctor may suspect genetic disorders in the fetus, for example, a disease such as Down syndrome.
Thus, 4D ultrasound of the fetus makes it possible to determine various pathologies of intrauterine development. This, in turn, allows you to take the necessary medical measures in a timely manner.
How is the diagnosis carried out?
Conducted 4D ultrasound during pregnancy transabdominally, that is, through the front wall of the abdomen. The procedure is absolutely painless and does not require any preliminary preparation. The woman is invited to lie down on her back, then a special gel is applied to the stomach to conduct ultrasonic waves. Using a transducer of an ultrasound device, a specialist “displays” the image of the refracted sound on a monitor.
It is worth noting that the duration of such a procedure is 40-45 minutes, while a two-dimensional study is carried out 15-25 minutes.
What is displayed on the screen? The picture that appears on the monitor is color, volume and dynamic. Even a layman is able to distinguish small features of the baby's face (the shape of the nose, mouth, eyes, etc.), see the fingers on the arms and legs. Thanks to such a realistic image, the opportunity to admire their still unborn baby, many future parents look forward to the appointment of 4D ultrasound. Photos of the baby, which were obtained on the basis of different types of ultrasound, are presented below.
Interpretation of Results
Despite the high image quality, only an expert is able to decipher the indicators. After a comprehensive analysis of the data obtained, the doctor issues a written opinion on the results of the study.
Is such a study safe?
Most researchers have come to the conclusion that 4D fetal ultrasound is the safest medical procedure possible. However, scientists at the American Institute of Research do not recommend an ultrasound scan without evidence. Therefore, registering for such a procedure without appointing a specialist just for the sake of seeing the baby is not worth it, such excessive care can negatively affect the course of pregnancy and the development of the fetus.
Cost
Not every pregnant woman can afford to do a 4D ultrasound, since the described diagnosis has a fairly high cost. Depending on the clinic, the price of such a medical service is from 3500 to 5000 rubles.
Additional features
Thanks to modern technology, future parents can not only admire the baby during the ultrasound 4D. Most clinics offer such additional services as a video recording of the study, a printout of a photograph, and the creation of a three-dimensional plaster cast of a child’s face.
Ultrasound 4D: reviews of doctors and patients
Specialists, of course, note the high information content, safety and accessibility of this diagnostic method.
The opinions of patients are subjective. For some, this is an opportunity to get closer to an unborn baby, for others - money spent. One way or another, most of the reviews of expectant mothers who underwent such a study are positive. Women claim that the impressions and emotions that they experienced when they saw on the monitor screen an image of their baby, his movements in real time, became the most vivid and unforgettable in their life.
Thus, we can conclude that 4D ultrasound during pregnancy differs from three-dimensional and two-dimensional studies in that it has a fourth characteristic of image measurement, namely time. In addition, if there are indications, the doctor may also prescribe Doppler ultrasound. Then, in addition to everything described, it is possible to analyze the uteroplacental blood flow with the help of such an ultrasound examination. This further increases the information content of this medical procedure, which means it reduces the risks of developing various pathologies during pregnancy and significantly increases the likelihood of a healthy baby being born.