Doppler scanning is a painless noninvasive test that uses a special form of ultrasound to look at the flow of blood in the fetus or the placenta.
Instead of an image it uses sound and can be used to detect specific problems as well as listen to the sound of the baby's heart beating.
Doppler scanning is similar to ultrasound except that it uses a different form of high-frequency sound waves that are reflected from moving objects. When used during pregnancy it can show the flow of red blood cellsA concave disk containing hemoglobin surrounded by a lipoid membrane. It is the major cellular element of the circulating blood and it serves primarily to transport oxygen. The number of red blood cells is about 4 and 4.5 million per cubic millimeter in women (4.5 and 5 million per cubic millimeter in men).
The average lifespan of a red blood cell is between 110 and 115 days after which it is removed from the bloodstream. New red blood cells are produced at about the rate of 1% daily to keep levels constant. Red blood cells originate in the marrow of long bones. Also called erythrocytes.
Visit our comprehensive glossary for more pregnancy terms and definitions. moving through the arteries and veins. The operator can use Doppler scanning to determine the speed and direction the cells are moving through a series of patterns that are displayed on a monitor.
Your doctor will recommend the use of a Doppler scan if the flow of blood through the fetus and placentaThe placenta is a large disk shaped membrane responsible for providing nourishment to the fetus during pregnancy. It consists of three parts, the fetal part made up from the chorion membrane surrounding the fetus, the maternal part, formed from the decidua basalis layer of the uterine lining, and the intervillous space between the two plates. It is connected to the fetus by the umbilical cord and consists of tissue from both the mother and the embryo.
Its function is complex. It has been described as a simple organ that combines the functions of a kidney-dialysis machine, heart and lung machine and intravenous drip. It consists of enormous numbers of blood vessel branches that permit the exchange of nutrition and oxygen, from the mother's bloodstream to the fetus and the removal of wastes to the mother to be excreted. The placenta's remarkable quality is that it does so without the blood of the mother mixing with that of the baby.
It also is responsible for the production of vital hormones including, estrogen, progesterone, and human chorionic gonadotropin. After birth, the placenta is delivered, and is sometimes referred to as the afterbirth.
Visit our comprehensive glossary for more pregnancy terms and definitions. needs to be examined. Congenital heart defects can be determined as well as identifying women who are at risk of developing preeclampsia. Doppler scanning is also used when it is thought that a fetus is small for dates or seem to be growing more slowly than expected.
There have been no reported problems with the use of Doppler scanning, which has been used for many years in obstetrics, gynecology and many other areas of medicine. The technique is not used during very early pregnancy to remove any potential risks.
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Doppler scanning is used as early as week twelve to listen to the fetal heartbeat. It can also be used later in the pregnancy to evaluate the well being of a multiple pregnancy.
The operator will explain what is being heard while the test is being performed. If a specific problem is the reason for the test it will be examined and the appropriate actions followed.
It is difficult to detect the individual heartbeats of multiple pregnancies, and if twins are suspected two operators each using a separate unit will listen and count the individual heartbeats separately. Your pulse will be taken as well so that the examiners do not confuse your heartbeat with that of the fetuses.
If there are abnormal Doppler flow patterns, usually associated with intrauterine growth retardation or another specific abnormality the appropriate action for that condition will be taken.
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