Author: digibaby2@vdmn

Categories
Digibaby

How to read a pregnancy ultrasound report?

pregnant-woman-with-ultrasound-photo-sitting-bed-min

How to read a pregnancy ultrasound report?

Have you ever gone through your ultrasound report and got confused? Do you look at your reports and wonder what exactly it is?

If you recently had your ultrasound test, then you would want to know how to interpret the images on the report on your own. You may want to understand how to interpret specific ultrasound features such as a baby’s growth or gender. If you feel it is challenging to understand your pregnancy ultrasound report, our team at DigiBaby will guide you with the basics. We will let you know different techniques to help you read your sonogram reports during pregnancy.

An ultrasound test is done for various reasons, but one of the most common is checking the baby’s growth during pregnancy. Ultrasound is a non-invasive, immediate tool that uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of the body’s inside. Ultrasound tests are safe during pregnancy as they do not penetrate bones (such as an X-ray). Ultrasounds only use sound waves or echoes for creating images instead of radiations.

The first step to read the ultrasound images is to get familiar with the structure of the image. Our body is made up of different tissues, and each body tissue conducts sound differently. Some tissues absorb the sound wave while other tissues reflect or bounce them. The bouncing back gives the ultrasound image its features in varying shades of grey. The fluids are always black, the tissues are grey, and the bones’ brightest white parts. The denser the tissue, the more brilliant white will appear on the ultrasound image.

Understanding the concept of Ultrasound

The person who does the ultrasound scans is known as a sonographer, and the images are inferred by radiologists, cardiologists, or any other specialists. The sonographer uses a wand-like device, i.e. transducer, which is placed on the patient’s skin. The high-frequency sound waves travel through soft tissue and fluids, bouncing back, creating images of the internal body structures. The term ultrasound refers to the sound with frequencies that a normal human ear cannot hear. Though higher frequencies give better image quality, they get more easily absorbed by the skin and other body tissues. Ultrasounds during pregnancy are done to check on the baby’s development and health. This scan test is non-invasive, painless and safe for both mother and unborn baby.

The use of ultrasounds during pregnancy

Ultrasounds are helpful at various stages of pregnancy, including –

  • First trimester – Ultrasounds are done within the first 3 months of pregnancy to help check the embryo’s growth inside the womb, confirm the number of embryos, and calculate the gestational age and the estimated date of delivery (EDD).
  • Second trimester – During the 18th and 20th week of pregnancy, ultrasounds are done to check the development of the fetal structure, including the spine, limbs, brain and internal organs. At this stage, the placenta’s size and location are also checked and can also determine the baby’s sex if the parents wish to know.
  • Third trimester – Ultrasounds after 30 weeks of pregnancy are used to check the baby’s average continued growth. Placenta’s location is also checked to make sure that it is not blocking the cervix.
External Ultrasound

The external ultrasounds are known as transabdominal Ultrasounds. In this, the healthcare provider takes a lubricating gel and puts it onto the patient’s skin and places a transducer over the lubricated skin. The lubricating gel provides better contact between the skin and the scanner. Then, the doctor moves the transducer on the body part in various positions to be examined. The pictures are instantly sent to the monitor screen. Your sonographer might push the transducer firmly at times to get better, more profound images. During pregnancy, women might go through slight discomfort due to the full bladder. The whole procedure for this method generally takes around 30 minutes or less.

Internal ultrasound

To evaluate the internal reproductive organs and the baby’s growth in detail, the transducer may be placed in the vagina. Internal ultrasound or transvaginal ultrasounds are less comfortable than transabdominal ultrasound, and there is a slight risk of internal bleeding. Transvaginal ultrasounds are done to gather more explicit pictures of the baby inside the womb. The whole procedure of the internal ultrasound takes approximately 30 minutes.

Now let’s dig into the steps that will help you in reading the ultrasounds during pregnancy.

Knowing how to read a pregnancy ultrasound

Locate your womb

First things first, you must need to know where your womb is. It is the elementary step in the process of reading the pregnancy ultrasound. Typically, one can quickly locate the uterus just by looking at the light grey or white line around the outside of the ultrasound image. Inside these light grey & white lines, you will notice a large black area known as the amniotic fluid. It would be best to keep this thing in mind that your womb might not necessarily go around the whole sonogram image. It depends upon how your ultrasound doctor have positioned the probe.

Locate Your Baby

The second thing to notice while going through your pregnancy ultrasound is locating your baby. The baby either looks grey or white on the ultrasound image. The baby will be positioned in the amniotic fluid (darker area on the image). The details of your baby that you will see in the ultrasound image depends on the stage of your pregnancy and the baby’s development. For instance –

  1. If you are going for the ultrasound test during the 8th week of pregnancy, then your fetus will be similar to the size of a single baked bean.
  2. During the 12th week, the ultrasound images will show the head of your baby.
  3. Moreover, the results will surprise you if you read the ultrasound report during or after the 20th week of pregnancy. You can see the baby’s heart, feet, spine, eyes, etc.

Well, if you are willing to know the gender of your baby, then it can be seen between 18-20 weeks of pregnancy. For finding out the sex of the baby, the sonography technician looks for either three lines which signify the labia or a penis. Though it is an accurate way to read the baby’s sex through an ultrasound but it is not always 100% accurate. There might be few visual effects that could interfere with an ultrasound image, and thus, results are not always 100% assured. Moreover, at this time, the ultrasound helps to get a full report that allows you to identify any potential problem related to the baby’s development.

Significance of the numbers on the ultrasound image

Ignoring any numbers or text on the ultrasound image is the best thing you can do. Many ultrasound scanning centres record the data which is relevant to themselves only. It includes your name, hospital reference codes, setting of the scanning machine, etc. This data is generally mentioned on the top of the image and has nothing to do with your baby’s results.

At the very top of the ultrasound image is the point at which the probe was inserted. So, the readings you see in the ultrasound picture shows what the tissues or organs look like from the side instead of the top. The uppermost part of the image obtained from the ultrasound taken of your uterus shows the tissues above your uterus. As you go down on this image, you will see the lining, the inside, and then the back of your uterus.

Importance of the Ultrasound reading colours

Different colours have different considerations in the ultrasound image. Though most of the ultrasound readings are in white and black colour, there is a subtle difference in the shading of each tone. The differences in colours are due to the varying densities of various materials that pass through the sound waves. We have already mentioned above that the amniotic fluid is dark in colour. Any solid tissues usually appear white on an ultrasound image report. 

Determining the visible side of the body

Most of the ultrasound images are mirrored. It means you will see the left side of the body on the left side of the image. But during transvaginal Ultrasound, it uses a straight shot. It helps to show the left side of the body on the right side of the image. If you are not sure what type of ultrasound is right for you, ask your doctor for recommendations.

Tips for reading a baby sonogram report

Here are five easy steps that help in reading the baby scan –

  • Stage 1 – In this stage, the fetus’s gestational age is calculated by measuring the CRL (Crown Rump Length). It is the length from the top of the baby’s head to the bottom of their bum. The CRL is measured between the 7th week of pregnancy to 13th week. Then the length result is compared with an internal chart to calculate the estimated gestational age accurately.
  • Stage 2 – The biparietal diameter is then taken. It is the length between both sides of the baby’s head.
  • Stage 3 – In this particular stage, the thighbone and the femur are measured to determine the longitudinal growth of the baby. On average, the femur should be around 1.5 cm when the baby is 13 weeks old.
  • Stage 4 – This stage includes the abdominal circumference measurement to determine the fetus’s height and weight. During the later stages of pregnancy, this is the most important measurement that helps check intrauterine growth.
  • Stage 5 – The sonographer reviews the fetal measurements to check for any abnormalities in the structure. A shorter humorous or femur bone or the absence of fetal nasal bones indicates that the baby might have Down Syndrome.

Which ultrasound scans are the best for determining a baby’s gender?

To get more detailed results than a standard ultrasound scan, then you might consider getting either a 3D or 4D ultrasound test. These scan tests help in showing the facial features and other features of the baby’s body. 3D or 4D ultrasounds are not available in every clinic as it requires advanced technologies. At Digibaby, we are offering the best affordable, elective 3D, 4D, HD Live ultrasounds.

  1. A 3D ultrasound test helps to show some features for your baby’s face. This Ultrasound also shows up certain defects in the baby, such as a cleft lip or palate.
  2. The 4D ultrasound test uses the imaging techniques as the 3D scan. However, it also helps in getting a recorded video of the moving baby in the womb.

The best time to have this test is between 26th to 30th week of pregnancy. Get in touch with our professional team for an unmatchable experience for seeing your baby through 3D or 4D ultrasounds.

Taking the professionals help for high-quality ultrasounds

Digibaby 3D/4D Ultrasound helps the to-be-parents to have a memorable experience of seeing their unborn baby for the first time. We are here to offer various services for enhancing the value of your ultrasound experience with us. Our team will help you see your baby grow, smile, yawn, and blink with our latest 3D, 4D and LIVE visual technologies.

Give us a call at 877-470-7531, 630-329-8156, 480-259-4108, or drop us your query at info@thedigibaby.com.

Categories

Categories
Digibaby

Are Covid-19 vaccines safe during pregnancy?

isaac-quesada-dZYI4ga2eUA-unsplash

Are Covid-19 vaccines safe during pregnancy?

Being pregnant is an extraordinary moment for every woman and her family. Timely vaccinations are essential during pregnancy to reduce the results of sickness and untimely mishaps for both the mother and the developing foetus. Getting vaccinated during pregnancy is necessary for every woman to safeguard themselves from certain infections like tetanus, yellow fever, pertussis, and influenza.

Moreover, with the outbreak of COVID 19, being safe and protected is essential for all mothers-to-be. Also going through your pregnancy in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic might be stressful. Women during pregnancy have very weak immunity and thus, it might lead to severe impact if you get infected. Furthermore, pregnant ladies with COVID-19 are more prone to give preterm birth and might have an increased risk of other adverse pregnancy outcomes. Therefore, it becomes essential for every expecting mum to get vaccinated under COVID-19 vaccine program to avoid any kind of problems during the pregnancy phase. However, when the COVID-19 vaccination program started, many women were hesitant to accept the vaccine because they were concerned about their health and the growth of the baby inside the womb.

So, to answer all the doubts and queries of the people regarding COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy, Digibaby 3D/4D Ultrasound is here to provide the correct information.

High risk during pregnancy due to COVID 19

Covid-19 is dangerous for every individual. Especially, the women who got recently pregnant have higher chances of catching the covid virus. Due to the low immunity during pregnancy, women’s bodies get weak, and getting infected is common at that time. Pregnant ladies have a higher risk of being hospitalized for intensive care, including breathing support on a machine if they get infected due to COVID 19. Coronavirus also increases the risk of the premature birth of the baby before the start of the 37th week of pregnancy) and the babies are more likely to be admitted for proper neonatal intensive care. Women who are overweight, older, and have pre-existing medical conditions such as blood pressure and diabetes are more likely to get severely ill due to the COVID infection.

So, if you are conceiving your baby, you and everyone around you must take complete precautions to protect against the infection. Get in touch with your doctor if you have COVID symptoms or have contacted someone with COVID-19. You must go for your COVID test. If you are pregnant and have COVID 19, your treatment will be done to relieve its symptoms. You will be asked to get plenty of fluids, rest, and medications to reduce fever, relieve pain & coughing.

Is the COVID-19 Vaccine available for pregnant women?

The COVID-19 vaccines have authorization by the Food and Drug Administration and are recommended to all pregnant and lactating women and those trying to become pregnant. We suggest pregnant women talk to their respective doctors to discuss all the parameters about the Vaccine and their pregnancy. Covid-19 vaccines are safe, effective, and do not cause any risk to pregnant women or their unborn babies.

Is COVID-19 vaccination safe during pregnancy?

Yes, Covid-19 Vaccine is safe for all pregnant and breastfeeding women, and it can protect you from a severe illness during your crucial time. The World Health Organization (WHO) states that pregnant women are at high risk of getting infected from their surroundings, and thus, they should consider getting vaccinated. Covid Vaccine also helps in building antibodies in pregnant women that protect their babies. Moreover, being vaccinated means you are less likely to transmit the COVID virus to other people around you.

In August 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released new data that stated current COVID 19 vaccines are safe during pregnancy. As the more contagious delta variant of the virus circulates, the risk of COVID-19 is higher for pregnant ladies. On 23rd August 2021, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA vaccine (currently marketed as Comirnaty) to prevent COVID-19 disease. There is no evidence of the COVID vaccine causing fertility problems in pregnant women. But if you have any concerns regarding your pregnancy or the risks and benefits of the vaccine, you can consult your healthcare providers.

Essential facts about mRNA COVID vaccine during pregnancy

  1. This mRNA vaccine has been studied on the animals first, and it did not affect their fertility or cause any problem with their pregnancy.
  2. The mRNA vaccine does not contain any particles of the virus.
  3. The particles of mRNA used in the vaccine get eliminated by your body within a few hours or days. Thus, it does not reach or cross the placenta.
  4. The immunity generated from the COVID-19 vaccination crosses the placenta, and it helps keep your baby safe after birth.

Necessary Guidelines before getting COVID vaccination during pregnancy

  1. As mentioned above, FDA has given authorization for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 mRNA vaccine during pregnancy. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, then you need to discuss your condition with your healthcare provider from time to time.
  2. For women with ongoing health concerns, there should be a proper conversation between the patient and the clinical team to assist them with the right decisions regarding the use of vaccines.
  3. The WHO also states that there are no specific risks of the vaccine that might concern the pregnant woman’s health. Women at high risk of SARS-CoV-2 (such as health workers) or who have comorbidities (health conditions that may contribute to death) should get vaccinated in consultation with their health care provider.

Does the COVID-19 Vaccine increase the risk of miscarriage?

Miscarriages are common during pregnancies. People try to become extra cautious to prevent situations that might lead to miscarriages. Any serious health complications during pregnancy put the women at the risk of miscarriage or premature delivery. Premature or preterm delivery leads to several health risks for the baby. So, to prevent severe COVID disease in pregnancy is very important to protect the babies. 

Covid-19 Vaccine does not increase the risk of miscarriage during pregnancy. On the contrary, COVID infection does increase the risk of harming you and your baby. Vaccination decreases the risk of having a severe COVID illness.

Tips to prevent COVID infection among pregnant women from Digibaby 3D/4D Ultrasound

If you haven’t gone for your vaccine session, you should take extra precautions to reduce the risk of COVID infection. You should avoid getting in contact with people who are sick or have symptoms of COVID. Maintain at least 6 feet of distance between yourself and others. Moreover, you must avoid going to overcrowded places such as markets, malls, theatres, etc. Make sure you are always wearing a face mask. We recommend people wash their hands thoroughly for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with a minimum 60% of alcohol.

You should focus on taking care of yourself and your baby. Consult your doctor frequently to discuss any health-related concerns. If you have trouble managing your stress or anxiety during pregnancy, talk it out with your healthcare provider or a mental health counsellor. They will help you with the right coping strategies during this critical time.

You can talk to our medical experts at our Ultrasound studio if you need any advice and get your 2D/3D/4D Live Ultrasound done at affordable prices.

Categories

Categories
Digibaby

How to Prepare for an Ultrasound During Pregnancy

elective 3d ultrasound near me

How to Prepare for an Ultrasound During Pregnancy

Ultrasounds during pregnancy are a crucial part of prenatal care as it helps women to get various kinds of essential information, from knowing the estimated date of delivery to understanding the fetal heartbeat, blood flow in the fetus, its growth, placental location, etc. Ultrasounds allow the to-be-parents to get an accurate picture of the week-by-week growth of the baby inside the womb, the baby’s movements, and position. Many women might feel anxious before going for their first ultrasound scan, but let us tell you that ultrasound procedure aren’t at all stressful. The key to a successful ultrasound exam is to be confident and learn about the purpose of ultrasound scans, their procedures, and their requirements.

For accurate ultrasound results, would-be parents must consult the well-renowned ultrasound scanning center. Digibaby 3D/4D Ultrasound is the most reliable name you can trust on. We are a team of highly experienced healthcare providers who bring out magic for all the to-be-parents. We help parents to get the first glance of their baby inside the womb. Digibaby is always there to support its clients and help them with all pregnancy and ultrasound-related queries.

Here in this blog, we will share a few essential tips that you must know while preparing for your pregnancy ultrasound test at any clinic. We will let you know the basics of ultrasound and what you should keep in mind while consulting your gynecologist or obstetrician.

Understanding the basics of ultrasound

A prenatal ultrasound scan (also called a sonogram) is a non-invasive diagnostic imaging test. This test uses high-frequency sound waves for capturing images of your developing baby as well as your reproductive organs. Any potential problem or congenital disabilities during pregnancy can be looked at and cured with the help of regular ultrasound scans. Unlike other imaging techniques such as x-rays or CT scans, ultrasound does not use any radiations for image capturing. Thus, it is the most preferred and safest method for studying the development of the fetus during pregnancy.

In most prenatal ultrasounds, a device (transducer) is used for sending high-frequency sound waves through your abdomen. Then the recorded sound echoes are changed into real-time pictures or videos of the baby inside the womb or other amniotic sac, placenta, and ovaries. However, there is an alternative procedure too i.e. the transvaginal ultrasound in which a tubular probe is injected into the vagina. The transvaginal ultrasound helps in producing better image quality of the uterus or ovaries if a problem is suspected.

How should you prepare for a prenatal ultrasound test?

Well, there is no such special preparation for the ultrasound test. Your doctor might tell you to fast for few hours (8 to 12 hours approx.) before the ultrasound scan test. Fasting before the ultrasound test is essential as the undigested food blocks the sound waves and makes it difficult for the doctor to get a clearer image.

For the prenatal ultrasound scan, it is important to have a full bladder. So, your doctor may ask you to consume a lot of water. You have to hold your urine to make your bladder full to get better-visualized images of your baby.

Before your prenatal ultrasound, tell the healthcare provider regarding your prescribed medicines, over-the-counter medications, or herbal supplements that you are taking. You should follow the instructions by your doctor and ask all your queries before going for the procedure. Always remember not to wear any jewelry while going for the test. Your examiner may ask you to remove it. It is advisable to wear some loose two-piece clothing during the prenatal pregnancy ultrasound. It helps the examiner to run the transducer on the surface of the abdomen efficiently.

What is the procedure of the pregnancy ultrasound?

Most ultrasound tests are completed between 15 to 45 minutes. It is performed either by the doctor, radiographer, or sonographer. The healthcare provider prepares for the ultrasound test depending upon which body part is to be scanned. If you are not wearing any loosely fitted clothes, you have to change to the hospital gown. The doctor will ask you to lie down on a comfortable examining table on your side or back. Now the ultrasound technician will apply a special water-soluble lubricating gel to your skin. It is essential to use the lubricating gel as it helps in preventing friction between the ultrasound transducer and your skin. The gel is also helpful in efficiently transmitting sound waves.

The examiner will now move the handheld instrument (transducer) gently against your skin on your abdomen or inside your body. The transducer then sends high-frequency sound waves through your body, reflecting off internal structures, including your baby, on the computer screen. The examiner or your doctor then interprets the picture formed on the computer screen. Your examiner may ask you to hold your breath for a few seconds to get a clearer picture. Moreover, they may ask you to change positions for better access. After the procedure completes, the examiner wipes off the remaining gel from your skin, and you can then go back to your normal activities.

The significance of having an ultrasound scan during pregnancy

Ultrasounds during pregnancy help get aware of the fetus’s weekly growth, fetal blood flow, and various other parameters. During pregnancy, certain situations, such as bleeding, excessive abdominal pains, etc., call for a proper ultrasound scan. You get different ultrasound pictures in each trimester of pregnancy.

The purpose of the first-trimester ultrasound (1-12 weeks) is as follows –

  • Confirming pregnancy
  • Detecting fetal heartbeats
  • Estimating the date of delivery
  • Identifying single or multiple pregnancies
  • Observing the placenta, fallopian tube, cervix, uterus, and ovaries
  • Checking the position of your baby
  • Diagnosing miscarriage, if any

During the second trimester (12-24 weeks) and the third trimester (24-40 weeks), you can get the following results from an ultrasound –

  • Growth of the baby and the development of limbs
  • Determining the gender of the baby
  • The exact location of the placenta during pregnancy
  • Identifying the fetal structure abnormalities such as Down Syndrome (though not all congenital disabilities can be confirmed during ultrasound test)
  • Checking the blood flow and the growth of internal organs of the baby
  • Length of the cervix
  • Diagnosing any other problem in the mother
  • The amount of fluid around the baby

Get relevant health advice and reliable ultrasound tests during pregnancy at Digibaby 3D/4D Ultrasound.

Ultrasounds are the proven method for safely gathering critical imaging data at the time of pregnancy. At Digibaby 3D/4D Ultrasound, we take steps to make the entire ultrasound procedure comfortable for the mothers-to-be. Our highly professional healthcare providers always make sure to comfort the mothers by reducing their anxiety about ultrasound. We have various ultrasound packages offering different services at a very minimal cost. Our ultrasound packages –

  • Basic Package – Starting at $79
  • Gender Package – Starting at $99
  • Silver Package – Starting at $129
  • Golden Package – $159
  • Platinum Package – Starting at $235

Consult us now and get your ultrasound done without taking any tension. Our practitioners ensure to take all the precautions to keep the mother and the baby 100% safe.

Categories

Categories
Digibaby

Significant Guidelines for Having Healthy Pregnancy

Digibaby Ultrasound

Significant Guidelines for Having Healthy Pregnancy

Pregnancy is a beautiful journey for every mother and can feel like a magic. But it’s natural to feel stressed at that time as pregnancy is the most crucial time for the mother and the developing fetus as well. Pregnancy is the most crucial time for the mother and the developing fetus as well. At this cause serious illnesses, lifelong disabilities such as hearing loss, learning problems, congenital disabilities, etc. Therefore, expectant moms must learn to relax and look after their emotional well-being during pregnancy. Also, mental well-being during pregnancy is as important as your physical fitness, so you need to take care of your mind and body for maintaining a healthy pregnancy.

The key to protecting your health and your baby is to get regular prenatal care. Visiting your doctor regularly and living a healthy lifestyle helps in healthy childbirth. Today, the Digibaby 3D/4D Ultrasound experts will guide you through some tips to follow during pregnancy to protect you and your baby from complications.

Basic Guidelines you must follow during pregnancy to protect you and your baby

1. Keep yourself clean and maintain hygiene 

Keeping yourself hygienic during pregnancy is the essential rule for all, but many women often forget this. A mother needs to keep herself clean during pregnancy to keep her baby healthy in the womb. You must wash and sanitize your hands frequently to protect yourself from infections such as Group B streptococcus, cytomegalovirus, chickenpox, etc. The disease caused to the mother might lead to congenital disabilities and other severe complications to the baby. Keeping your hands clean is the best way to remove germs, avoid getting sick. If soap and running water are not available, you can clean your hands with an excellent alcohol-based hand sanitizer. If you are pregnant, it’s better to let other people open doors and press buttons for you. Keep yourself clean after –

  • Using washrooms 
  • Touching raw meat, eggs, or unwashed vegetables
  • Preparing and eating food
  • Around infectious people 
  • Touching or handling pets
  • Changing diapers 
2. Protect yourself from Zika Virus 

Women who are pregnant or considering conceiving soon should protect themselves from the Zika Virus. This virus can be passed from a pregnant woman to her baby during pregnancy and can cause a severe congenital disability called Microcephaly. Microcephaly is when the baby is born with a smaller head because the brain does not develop properly during pregnancy. In Latin America, the Caribbean, and the Pacific Islands, the cases of babies having Microcephaly is high. Most people get infected due to the Zika virus and do not even know that they are carrying it. It is important for pregnant women to follow complete safety because there is no vaccine or treatment for Zika or Microcephaly. So, if you are pregnant, you need to make sure of the following – 

  • Do not travel to areas where there are high chances of getting infected. 
  • Take proper advice from your doctor before traveling to areas with Zika and strictly take precautions to prevent mosquito bites. 
  • If your partner has traveled to areas with Zika, you must take precautions every time you are about to have intercourse (vaginal, anal, or oral). It helps in the spreading of the infection during pregnancy and protects your baby’s growth.
3. Consult your doctor time-to-time about your vaccinations 

You must take a few vaccines before you become pregnant, during pregnancy, or right after your delivery. It is crucial to get your vaccinations done at the right time as it helps in keeping you and your baby healthy. All the vaccinations done during pregnancy helps in keeping the baby healthy and from getting sick. For example – women who are pregnant should get their flu vaccine on time. 

4.  Avoid getting in contact with people who have the infection 

Infections like chickenpox or rubella cause pregnancy complications and severe congenital disabilities and can even put you at risk for miscarriage or stillbirth. So, staying away from people who have infections is recommended to all pregnant women especially if you didn’t have the vaccines before you conceived. Moreover, during the COVID 19 pandemic, pregnant women should take extra precautions and safety measures such as wearing masks, avoiding crowds, and practicing social distancing.

5.  Stay active every day

It would be best if you do regular exercises during pregnancy as it helps reduce stress, control weight, improve blood circulation, boost mood, and promote better sleep. Exercise is also important for releasing endorphins that lift your mood daily, and it is suitable for your unborn baby, too. Going to the gym or aerobics classes isn’t necessary for staying active during this time. You can stay active by doing regular exercises. Exercises such as walking, swimming, yoga promotes a healthy lifestyle and eases the discomfort caused during pregnancy. Regular exercising while you are pregnant also makes your labor and delivery easier. Drink plenty of water while exercising to prevent dehydration or overheating, especially in your second trimester. Avoid activities or sports which might make you fall, such as skiing, rock climbing, soccer, or basketball.

Consult your doctor to find out how much physical activity is suitable for your health condition. 

6. Take your proper prenatal vitamins  

Even if you are considering conceiving a baby, it is advisable to start taking prenatal vitamins. The baby’s neural cord (which becomes the brain and spinal cord) starts developing during the first month of your pregnancy. Thus, it is advised to take proper essential nutrients such as folic acid, calcium, and iron from the starting of the pregnancy. Prenatal vitamins are readily available in drug stores. You can even take your prescribed vitamin supplements from your doctor. Take proper recommendations from a gynecologist if you feel queasy or sick. 

7. Avoid drinking and smoking during pregnancy

Drinking alcohol and smoking is unhealthy for you and your unborn child. Consuming tobacco, alcohol, illicit drugs, etc., leads to congenital disabilities, miscarriages, and other complications during pregnancy. Smoking cigarettes decreases the oxygen flow to your baby in the womb and may lead to preterm birth, sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), miscarriage, and other poor outcomes. It is advisable to not drink alcohol before, during, and while breastfeeding because it increases the chances of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) among babies. FASD causes abnormal facial features, behavioral issues, and learning disabilities in babies. 

8. Consume ‘well cooked’ meat only

Undercooked meat and processed meat may contain harmful bacteria known as Listeria monocytogenes and put you at risk for food poisoning. Raw or undercooked meat also increases the risk of toxoplasmosis. Toxoplasmosis is an infection caused due to the Toxoplasma gondii parasite that can cause damage to the organs of the developing baby, miscarriages, or stillbirth.

Don’t consume more than 2 to 3 servings of fish per week. Avoid the intake of sharks, swordfish, king mackerel, or tilefish as they contain high levels of mercury which causes harm to the baby inside the womb. Make sure to cook meat properly until there is no residual blood or pinkness left. Moreover, you must make sure that all your cooking utensils and the cooking surface is clean beforehand.

9. Take complete care of your prenatal health

To protect and keep the track of your baby’s growth during pregnancy, it is essential to get regular prenatal care. If you think you are pregnant, book your first prenatal appointment as soon as possible. At first visit, doctor generally do a pregnancy test to examine the weeks of your pregnancy and predict your delivery date. Your doctor will check several factors throughout pregnancy, such as your weight, blood pressure, growth and development of your baby, etc. During your pregnancy, you might also have prenatal tests that include blood, urine, and cervical tests, ultrasounds, etc. Depending upon your pregnancy condition, your doctor might call you for several visits. During healthy pregnancy with no complications, your healthcare provider might want you to see in –

  • Every 4 weeks until the 28th week of pregnancy,
  • Then every two weeks until 36th weeks
  • Then one a week until the final delivery
Path to improved health during pregnancy with Digibaby 3D/4D Ultrasound

As mentioned above, it is essential to take complete care of yourself from the first week of pregnancy to the fortieth so that your baby is healthy. Schedule your first appointment at our ultrasound studio to find whether you are pregnant or not. We will review all your medical history to examine your health condition and pregnancy complications (if any).

At Digibaby, we have various ultrasound packages for the parents who are expecting their babies. We will help you listen to your baby’s heartbeat through our special heartbeat bears at just $30-$40. Digibaby is specialized in doing 3D/4D/HD Live Ultrasounds at a genuine cost. We also have a gender reveal package for the parents who want to know whether they are having a baby boy or a girl. Get in touch with Digibaby’s trusted team to experience the magic of seeing your little one on the computer screens.

Categories

Categories
Digibaby

Importance of prenatal care during pregnancy

Ultasound images by Digibaby

Importance of prenatal care during pregnancy

Pregnancy brings a lot of changes to a woman’s body. Women who have been healthy before pregnancy might also experience certain issues during the pregnancy phase. Thus, a woman needs to take proper care, nutrition, supplements after conceiving a baby. Women should focus on proper prenatal care to minimize the risk of complications during and after their pregnancy. Prenatal care is also called antenatal care, and it helps in improving both fetal and maternal outcomes. It helps the doctor properly diagnose, treat, and manage the women’s health conditions before getting serious. Women should always start their prenatal care at the early stage of pregnancy (first trimester) for better health. 

The Importance Of Prenatal Care And Where To Find It - MIBluesPerspectives

Knowing prenatal care in details 

Prenatal care is the medical healthcare that a pregnant woman receives. Regularly going for prenatal check-ups helps know any potential concerns or issues at an early stage of pregnancy and reduces birth complications. It would be best if you visit your physician/gynecologist/obstetrician for screening, diagnostic tests, ultrasounds, counseling, education, emotional and social support, and fetal monitoring. With the help of prenatal check-ups, you can monitor your baby’s growth, heart rate, any signs of premature labor, maternal blood pressure, etc. Doctors will generally schedule your first prenatal appointment when you are at least 8 weeks pregnant. Moreover, the doctor also checks the pre-existing conditions for the mother-to-be, such as diabetes or high blood pressure before pregnancy.

Women having no complications during pregnancy can visit for their scheduled prenatal appointments as follows –

  1. Up to week 28 – 1 prenatal visit per month
  2. Weeks 28 to 36 – 1 prenatal care visit in every 2 weeks
  3. Weeks 36 to 40 – 1 prenatal visit every week

What should you expect from your first prenatal visit?

Prenatal care visit includes tests and general information about what a pregnant woman should and shouldn’t eat or do to stay healthy during their crucial time. The first prenatal visit is often the longest one because the doctor needs to review the entire medical history of the mother and the father. During your first, the doctor would do the following –

  1. Takes blood and urine samples
  2. Records your weight
  3. Checks your blood pressure
  4. Performs a pelvic exam
  5. Review your ultrasound

What will you get from your prenatal appointments? 

  1. 6-12 weeks – As mentioned above, the obstetrician or gynecologist takes your detailed information during the traditional first prenatal visit, including a family history of genetic disorders. They also conduct ultrasound, pelvic exam, blood work, blood pressure, weight, and urine screening for proteins and sugar.12-16 weeks – The second visit is generally suggested after a month of your first appointment. During this visit, the doctor checks the blood pressure, urine screening, and weight recording of the mother and recommends any additional tests. 
  2. 18-22 weeks – During the 18th to 22nd week, ultrasounds are done, and the doctor measures the fundal height (FH) and fetal heart tones (FHTs). Fundal height is the distance in centimeters (cm) from the pubic bone to the top of the uterus. Fetal heart tones include listening and measuring the fetal heart rate with the help of fetal doppler. 
  3. 22-26 weeks – This prenatal visit is almost similar to the last visit, but the only difference is that the doctor also screens the gestational diabetes level of the mother-to-be. The doctor may also check for the swelling in your hands and feet. 
  4. 26-30 weeks – Again, the doctor repeats the measuring of fundal height and fetal heart tones along with the screening for diabetes if not already done. 
  5. 28-32 weeks – At this level of pregnancy, you should visit for prenatal tests frequently as you are getting close to your delivery. FH and FHTs are conducted at every visit to check the growth of your baby. 
  6. 32-36 weeks – At the 36th week of pregnancy, the doctor starts the cervical checks to locate the baby’s position in the womb. 
  7. 36-40 weeks – By now, you must frequently be visiting your doctor, and you’ll be asked to visit every week until the 41st week of your pregnancy. These visits are done to check the mother’s and baby’s health, growth, position of the baby with few additional tests. 

Prenatal care and tests | Office on Women's Health

What is the need for getting regular prenatal check-ups during pregnancy?

Prenatal is essential during pregnancy due to following reasons –

  1. With the help of regular prenatal check-ups, doctors can easily spot pregnancy complications (if any) that may lead to poor fetal growth. Doctors can spot if the baby has any weight issues, neurological problems, etc. So, proper care and attention during pregnancy can reduce the risk of complications for the fetus or baby.
  2. After noting all the factors such as the mother’s age, medical history, etc., the doctor can set up proper tests as per the conditions. It helps control and monitors the mother’s pre-existing medical conditions, such as diabetes, anemia, and blood pressure. Thus, this helps to prevent future complications.  
  3. Prenatal care is also helpful in estimating the delivery date. It puts mothers at ease and helps them to decide on the best plan for her baby.
  4. Antenatal or prenatal care during pregnancy gives a lot of support to the mother-to-be. Proper education and counseling are also part of prenatal care treatment and gives the expecting mother the aid she needs. 
  5. Moreover, proper nutritional advice is also given to the mothers during this crucial stage. A properly balanced diet is essential to prevent several health problems and gives the baby complete nourishment for better growth. Mothers are generally given prenatal vitamins that consist right amount of folic acid and other essential vitamins for baby’s growth.  

Get your regular prenatal visit with Digibaby 3D/4D Ultrasound for a healthy pregnancy 

It is not always too late to seek a doctor’s help during pregnancy. Women who do not go for timely prenatal visit delivers baby with low weight and several birth complications. Every woman needs to stay healthy immediately before, during, and after pregnancy. Thus, it is important to stay updated on all the healthcare appointments as instructed by a doctor.  

You can consult them for 2D ultrasounds, gender determination, and 3D/4D HD live ultrasound as well. All the prenatal care services at Digibaby 3D/4D Ultrasound will be given to you at a genuinely affordable price.

To learn more, contact the center at 877-470-7531 or info@thedigibaby.com now.

Categories

Facebook Twitter

NAPERVILLE, IL

DigiBaby 3D/4D Ultrasound
387 Shuman Blvd Suite 210E 
Naperville, IL 60563

Phone: 630-329-8156

Map & Directions

© 2021 Digibaby 3D/4D ULTRASOUND. All Rights Reserved.