Those 2 life-changing lines on your pregnancy test are now brighter than the Northern Lights. Congratulations! Conception has taken place, and your bun is officially in the oven.
It is safe to say pregnancy comes with a ton of emotions. You are excited, you are scared, you are plain emotional. All those emotions are valid. Not only are pregnancy hormones surging through your mommy-bod and veins, but there are only 38 weeks left before D-day and monitoring the growth of your tiny tot is your first important task as a soon-to-be mama.
Here is why:
Pregnancy Viability
As with all things in life, there are times of joy, and there are times of sadness. The reality is that about 80% of miscarriages happen in the first trimester. Approximately 1 to 5% of pregnancies end in a miscarriage in the first trimester, too.
Therefore, your first ultrasound is crucial to confirm whether you are pregnant, still pregnant, or not pregnant to provide that emotional reassurance or the painful facts.
It is also essential to see where your tiny tot has implanted because more than 90% of ectopic pregnancies occur in a fallopian tube. As your baby grows, it can cause the tube to rupture and lead to internal bleeding and even death.
Monitoring Fetal Growth & Development
As your pregnancy progresses, ultrasounds serve as a window into the womb. These scans help monitor fetal growth and development by assessing size, anatomy, and amniotic fluid levels.
You also get to go home with ultrasound scan photos to show the family, which are precious! These ultrasounds ensure that your pregnancy is progressing as expected and facilitate early detection of any abnormalities or complications that can occur.
So yes, they are super duper important.
Assessment Of Placental Health And Function
The placenta and umbilical cord are vital structures that support your developing fetus. Your blood passes through the placenta and gives your growing baby oxygen, food (like glucose), and other vital nutrients through the umbilical cord. It also works like a filter by removing bad stuff and carbon dioxide from your baby’s blood.
Ultrasounds help identify potential issues such as placenta previa or placental abruption and help you take appropriate measures to ensure safe delivery.
Informed Decision-Making
Ultrasounds, without a doubt, provide invaluable information for expectant parents facing difficult decisions regarding their pregnancy. In cases where fetal anomalies or complications are detected, ultrasounds help parents understand the nature and severity of the condition, empowering them to make informed choices about their care and the care of their baby.
NIPT scans can detect clues associated with Down syndrome, trisomies 13 and 18, Turner syndrome, Klinefelter syndrome and triple X syndrome. It can also help detect the sex of your baby if you are eager to know pink or blue!
Detection Of Maternal Complications
Your health is just as important as your tiny tot’s, and ultrasounds are instrumental in identifying maternal complications that may arise during pregnancy.
By closely monitoring maternal health indicators such as uterine size, cervical length, and amniotic fluid volume, ultrasounds facilitate early detection and management of conditions such as gestational diabetes, preeclampsia, and placental abnormalities.
Around 16.2% or about 21.3 million babies born worldwide are linked to high blood sugar during pregnancy. Most of this, about 86.4%, is because of gestational diabetes. If gestational diabetes is not detected and managed during pregnancy, it can lead to breathing difficulties, preterm birth, hypoglycemia (that can cause seizures), and even stillbirth.
Another danger is Preeclampsia. It is a serious condition where a woman develops high blood pressure. It is a major cause of pregnancy-related problems, affecting around 2% to 8% of pregnancies globally. In low-income countries, it leads to 9% to 26% of maternal deaths, and in high-income countries, it is responsible for about 16% of maternal deaths.
Bonding Experience For Expectant Parents
On a positive note and beyond the clinical aspects, ultrasounds offer expectant parents a unique opportunity to bond with their baby! Seeing the images of your little one moving and growing within the womb can be a profoundly emotional experience and foster a sense of wonder and anticipation.
Thanks to modern technology, you can even opt for a 4D scan! How amazing is that?
Baby Bump Breakdown
Ultrasounds are indispensable in prenatal care! They offer vital insights into your baby’s development, maternal health, and potential pregnancy complications. From confirming that musical and awe-inspiring heartbeat to facilitating knowledge-based decision-making, ultrasounds play a multifaceted role in ensuring the health and well-being of you and your mini-you-to-be.
As you jump on your pregnancy, hormone-loaded, and emotional rollercoaster, you can buckle up knowing you are safe and that your baby is safe. Enjoy because you are in for the ride of your life!
