Dom Zdravlja "Dr Ristić"

Ultrasound”is listening to” the baby
New ultrasound examination method – 4D ultrasound

 {mosimage}AS a diagnostic method, ultrasound is most often as a method in pregnancy follow-up and control health check. Ultrasound examination during pregnancy can be performed through the vagina or over the abdomen. Trans-vaginal approach is being performed in early pregnancy phases and sometimes during the first trimester when the fetus is small and it is necessary to approach as close as possible in order to have clear visibility. In later phases, as the baby is growing, it is possible to see it clearly through the abdominal examination.
In the first trimester of the pregnancy, ultrasound  examination is used for detecting whether the fetus is in the uterus and whether it is single or multiple pregnancy.

This very examination includes measuring the distance from fetus apex to the back, and this measure is used as a basic measure for the estimation of fetus condition. In women with irregular periods and irregular ovulations, the pregnancy timing may be even several weeks shorter than the absence of period occurred. The accuracy of ultrasound examination measuring and estimation of pregnancy timing is most accurate in the first trimester because in this period the natural diversity and variations are at lowest rate. In the period between 11th and 11,6th week, NT  and some blood parameters (hormones – free beta HCG and PAPPA) are performed as screening method related to chromosomes anomalies. It is so-called”double test”. As the pregnancy advances, it is recommended to perform a detailed examination of the fetus in the period of  20th-22nd week (apart from the regular biometry related to certain parameters) including ultrasound of head, brain, face, chests, heart, abdominal area, spine, arms and legs, umbilical cord, the quantity of amniotic fluid, placenta…
The third trimester includes control checks related to the proper growth and development of the pregnancy, detecting of possible growth slowering, the analyses of fetal circulation (by the use of Doppler) as well as the function of the placenta.
New ultrasound examination method is 4D ultrasound including computerized creation of baby image in three dimensions. Most frequent question asked by future parents is – what is the fourth dimension? Simple answer is – 4th dimension is time. This is a three dimension image in real time, or better formulated, it is the window into one completely new world. For future parents this represents the issue of very emotional significance, as they see their baby laughs, frowns, sucks its finger, swallows, yawn, touches. Although such a tiny creature, it shows its character.
This technique has got a special and justified name – ‘bonding’, first of all due to the fact it creates an extraordinary relation between parents and their child (primarily between the mother and the baby), although it was not the initial intention of the technique inventors. Certainly, 4D ultrasound examination has very important role in estimation of fetus condition and offers the additional confirmation of the results, following the results performed by the conventional  2D Ultrasound examination This examination requires certain preconditions, such as – the baby should be big enough, positioned well for the examination, far enough from the placenta and uterus wall, including the existence of enough of amniotic fluid, as without these preconditions, the image will not be clear and useful. Of course, those who perform the examination must by armed by patience. When all these conditions are fulfilled, smiles and joy of future parents will be certain.

MD Aleksandra  Đurđević
Gynecology and obstetrics specialist