Organ ultrasound in pregnancy

When is an organ ultrasound ordered?

The special organ ultrasound, or organ sonography, is only ordered by the gynecologist for certain indications. This is the case

• in couples who already have a child with a chromosomal abnormality or malformation,
• if there is a family history of possibly inherited diseases,
• in the case of hereditary diseases of the parents or diseases of the mother that can have a negative impact on the development of a child (e.g. diabetes mellitus ),
• if the mother had to take medication in early pregnancy or had to undergo intensive X-ray examination or radiation treatment,
• in case of problems during a previous pregnancy ,
• in case of any anomalies in the regular screening examinations at the gynecologist.

With an existing indication and a corresponding referral from the gynecologist, the costs of the examinations are usually covered by all health insurance companies.

What can be assessed with organ ultrasound?

The position of the child and the thickness of the mother’s abdominal wall play a particularly important role in the examination. A full ultrasound scan takes about thirty to forty minutes. All representable organs and characteristics of the unborn child are considered:

• the appearance and function of all visible organs including the heart (echocardiography)
• the location and appearance of the placenta
• blood flow in the uterine vessels
• the blood flow in the umbilical cord
• the amount of amniotic fluid
• the age-appropriate growth of the unborn child

But please note : Even if the device is of good quality and the doctor is diligent and experienced, not all malformations or changes can be detected or ruled out with complete certainty. And this examination requires a lot of experience on the part of the examiner. So make sure beforehand that your doctor performs regular organ ultrasound examinations.

Extended organ ultrasound is now almost routine

With the appropriate technical equipment, most doctors supplement the organ ultrasound with the Doppler ultrasound . With this technique, the blood flow and flow rate in the fetal and maternal blood vessels can be measured and displayed visually and acoustically. In this way, many pregnancy-induced diseases, such as preeclampsia or eclampsia, can be recognized and treated earlier. This technique can also be used to diagnose heart defects, growth disorders and other undesirable developments in babies at an earlier stage.

The 3D display technique is often used in the context of organ ultrasound . Although it is not medically necessary, it can provide a practiced examiner with more precise images and offers expectant parents a unique view of their unborn child (“baby television”).

What are the results of organ ultrasound used for?

• If the doctor notices abnormalities during the ultrasound examinations that indicate an illness in the child or a malformation, the organ ultrasound helps with a more precise diagnosis and the decision for or against further diagnostic measures (such as amniotic fluid examination or chorionic villus biopsy ).
• If the findings are abnormal, pregnant women can decide in favor of a special clinic or a specialist doctor before the birth. Many pregnant women then give birth to their child in a clinic with an attached children’s ward in order to ensure adequate medical care for the child.
• In some cases, the first therapeutic measures can be taken before birth through an early diagnosis.
• The ultrasound helps many parents-to-be to deepen their relationship with their unborn child.
• An inconspicuous organ ultrasound calms many pregnant women. Therefore, it is also carried out particularly frequently in the case of so-called “high-risk pregnancies”.