Abdominal ultrasound during pregnancy: preparation, features and recommendations

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Ultrasound is becoming more and more popular over time, this is primarily due to the fact that it is absolutely harmless to the patient. In addition, with the help of this kind of research, many diseases and abnormalities can be detected. Ultrasound of the abdominal cavity during pregnancy is not a routine examination, but in some cases the doctor still directs the woman to it. This is due to the state of he alth of the future mother, predisposition to diseases, and other individual indications of the doctor.

The essence of abdominal ultrasound

Is one of the most complex and multifaceted studies, because the whole system of organs acts as an object of study. Through the procedure, the doctor will be able to see the following organs:

• Spleen.
• Pancreas.
• The work of the kidneys and bladder. Although the latter is often included in pelvic ultrasound.
• Large formations or loopsintestines.
• Liver. It is considered with all auxiliary structures, these are the gallbladder, ducts and vessels.
• Venas can also be seen on ultrasound, namely the splenic, aorta or vena cava.

With the help of this kind of research, it is possible to detect diseases, deviations or malfunctions in the work of each of the above structures.

Ultrasound Benefits

Let's note in more detail the positive aspects of ultrasound, they are especially important if ultrasound of the abdominal cavity is done during pregnancy.

• No danger and no radiation. More recently, everyone was wary of ultrasound, fearing radiation or other negative effects on the body. With the passage of time and the development of science, we can say for 100% that ultrasound is absolutely safe. Is it possible to do an ultrasound of the abdominal cavity during pregnancy? The answer is unequivocal: yes. This study is no different from a fetal ultrasound, so it can be done at any stage of pregnancy.
• No pain or discomfort, the procedure will not bring discomfort to the patient. The doctor simply moves a specialized sensor along the outside of the abdomen, at this time one or another organ or vein is reflected on the screen. You need to strictly follow the recommendations of the doctor, sometimes you will need to turn on your side, inhale, exhale or hold your breath for a while.
• Ease of research. To conduct an ultrasound of the abdominal cavity during pregnancy, you do not need to involve several employees, use a large number of devices, and also use speci altools. But at the same time, the qualifications and knowledge of the doctor are very important so that the results are as accurate and complete as possible, especially if the patient is pregnant.

Are there any disadvantages?

Like any other procedure, ultrasound has its drawbacks, but despite them, the study is carried out very often and helps a lot of people. Disadvantages include:

• Dependence of results on the degree of preparation and duration of pregnancy. The worse the preparation of a woman, the fewer organs can be diagnosed and, accordingly, the fewer pathologies to reveal. Also, the longer the pregnancy, the worse the visibility.
• Subjectivity. It is possible to view the abdominal organs without special knowledge, but it is quite difficult to diagnose any diseases or malfunctions. Research requires a great deal of experience, knowledge and imagination. Therefore, for a qualitative assessment of ultrasound, it is worth listening to the opinion of several doctors.
• The need for dynamics. The body of each person is individual, this is especially clearly demonstrated during an ultrasound of the abdominal cavity during pregnancy. During this period, a woman has a number of changes, so it is difficult to see pathologies in one study. It is necessary to do a series of ultrasounds to track changes in dynamics.

Recommendations during pregnancy

Ultrasound of the abdominal organs during pregnancy has a number of specific features. A woman in position is not the best patient for an ultrasound. As we said earlier thanthe longer the gestational age, the less the value of this type of ultrasound. From the 16th week of pregnancy, the uterus extends beyond the pelvis, which means it begins to displace other organs and fill the entire space. Already at 20 weeks, the bottom of the uterus is approximately at the level of the navel, and at the 37th week at the level of the chest.

Starting from the 36th week, there is no point in doing an ultrasound, although from a medical point of view it is possible to do it. The effectiveness will be minimized, because the uterus will push back all the organs of the abdominal cavity. In the case of polyhydramnios, a large baby, or multiple fetuses, visibility will get worse and worse.

Therefore, an abdominal ultrasound during pregnancy should be done before the 16th week, so that visibility is still sufficient and the results are complete.

Who needs an ultrasound?

Let's list those cases when abdominal ultrasound is indicated during pregnancy:

• The presence of acute pain in the abdomen, fever, which may be signs of appendicitis, ulcers, pancreatitis and others.
• Disease of the kidneys and bladder, which is expressed in inflammation of the kidneys or blockage of the passage of urine from the kidneys.
• When an injury occurs in the abdomen, regardless of location.
• Presence of frequent bouts of vomiting in the second half of pregnancy.
• The appearance and development of symptoms of anemia in a woman in position.
• The appearance of signs of inflammation, which the doctor found in the results of a blood or urine test. This is the level of leukocytes, erythrocytes and other componentsblood.

In case of any ailment and discomfort, you should consult a gynecologist, who will first refer you for tests, and then for an ultrasound scan. This will allow you to accurately diagnose the disease and begin to treat it.

Preparing a pregnant woman for an ultrasound

In order for the survey to be as complete and effective as possible, it is necessary to prepare for it. Three days before the ultrasound, it is necessary to exclude foods that cause gases from the diet. These are beans, cabbage, milk, carbonated drinks and starchy foods.

If the examination of the abdominal organs also includes the kidneys, one hour before the procedure, you need to drink a liter of water (pure, not tea, coffee!). In this case, you can not go to the toilet, you need to be examined with a full bladder.

You can not eat 8 hours before the examination, but it is best to do it in the morning and on an empty stomach. These recommendations apply to pregnant women during the first trimester.

If ultrasound is performed during the second and third trimester, then you should stop eating 8 hours before the study. In preparation for an abdominal ultrasound during pregnancy, it is not necessary to cleanse the intestines with an enema.

Carrying out the procedure

After the patient came to the specialist, you need to lie on the couch with your stomach upside down to see the doctor, so there are inconveniences at long pregnancy. If the second trimester of pregnancy has come, then the specialist gives the examined roller, which should be placed under the right side. In this case, clamping of the vein is prevented.

As in any other formUltrasound, the first thing is a special gel is applied, it fills the space that occurs between the sensor and the skin. During the procedure, the patient alternately lies on the right side, then on the left side, and also takes a big breath and exhale. At the command of the doctor, he also holds his breath. If a woman in position has some kind of unpleasant sensation, you must definitely tell the doctor who does the ultrasound.

Can I see pregnancy on an abdominal ultrasound?

This question interests many women who are planning a pregnancy. Of course, first of all, you must understand that the abdominal cavity and the pelvic organs are two completely different systems. Each has its own characteristics and specifics. And yet, does abdominal ultrasound show pregnancy? If the period from the moment of conception does not yet reach 6 weeks, then it is impossible to see the embryo on this type of ultrasound. This requires a specialized vaginal method. Starting from the 5-6th week, you can see the presence of pregnancy through the abdominal cavity only with an empty bladder.

As the pregnancy progresses and the duration increases, the embryo or fetus becomes more and more visible in the womb.

Ultrasound results

Deciphering the results of ultrasound and advice should be given by a specialist, you do not need to try to do it yourself. Depending on the specifics of the deviations, it is necessary to contact a surgeon, gastroenterologist or therapist.

To determine deviations, you needto compare the size and location of organs in the patient's abdominal cavity with normal values. It is also necessary to check the properties of each individual organ to conduct sound and compare these indicators with standards in order to determine the degree of deviation, if any.