Having a baby is such a blessing. However, it can be a quite scary experience, especially for first-time mums. If you or your loved one is expecting, you must study everything about carrying a child in the womb. You should learn about the proper diet and lifestyle adjustments to keep the child healthy. Additionally, you need to familiarise yourself with the different tests required to monitor the child.
One example of medical procedures you need is the ultrasound scan. It involves the use of a handheld transducer that transmits sound signals to create an image of the baby. The doctor applies the gel on the skin, so the device can effortlessly produce the sound waves.
Early pregnancy scan
Women who experience bleeding need to undergo an early pregnancy scan. This type of scan involves using a small probe. It’s inserted inside the vagina to check the baby, and mainly it’s stage of development, size and number of heartbeats. Patients who have previously suffered from miscarriage also need to undergo the early pregnancy private ultrasound London scan.
Dating + Nuchal Translucency scan
This type of scan helps doctors gauge the age of the baby at 9 to 13 weeks. It can also be used to check any signs of abnormality and determine if there is more than one baby. It’s common in most hospitals in the UK. Apart from looking at the developing baby, it’s also used to examine the ovaries.
In addition to the scan, doctors can also perform screening tests to determine if the child has Down’s Syndrome or other DNA abnormalities. You may opt-out from this test, depending on your preference. Feel free to talk to your physician about the additional tests during this period.
20-week scan
The 20-week scan is common in all NHS hospitals. It is practically the type of ultrasound scan that most mums look forward to because it reveals a clearer image of their child. At this point, the baby has clearly defined features. Patients usually undergo it at between 18 to 21 weeks, and it typically lasts up to 20 minutes. The scan can reveal any anomaly, including cleft lip, heart size abnormality, and positions of the baby’s organs.
32-week scan
Not every mother undergoes the 32-week scan, as the physician requests the scan if they think that the child has developed certain abnormalities or if it’s not growing at the proper rate. During this period, the child is fully developed. It will only take a few days before the baby comes out from the womb.
With proper guidance, pregnancy shouldn’t be as scary as you may think. There are plenty of resources nowadays that you can freely access online. Be sure to be mindful of the check-up. You shouldn’t miss your trip to your obstetrician so that you can check the child’s condition.
You don’t have to go to a hospital for an ultrasound. Check out private ultrasound in London as an option. Choose one that has clean and sanitised equipment. Check feedback from previous patients before you visit the facility. Most importantly, you must check if the NHS has duly accredited the facility.
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