What is a Fetal Anatomy Scan?
Doctors perform the important fetal anatomy scan or level 2 ultrasound during the pregnancy period between 18 and 22 weeks. A specific type of ultrasound provides a complete examination of the baby’s physical structure while searching for any birth defects.
Purpose of the Scan
- The fetal anatomy scan provides essential information to medical staff through its diagnostic process.
- Medical personnel investigate the baby’s organs together with bones and tissues to verify their normal development.
- Salient examination areas during the check involve assessment of brain, heart, kidneys and spine as well as limbs for any structural issues.
- The healthcare provider should measure the location of the placenta together with amniotic fluid measurements to evaluate fetal health.
- The sonographer will reveal the baby’s gender to the expecting parents when they decide to know the biological sex.
What to Expect During the Scan
- The procedure runs for about 30 to 45 minutes without requiring any intrusions to the patient. The technician will place ultrasonic gel on the maternal abdomen before using a transducer to show a live image of the developing fetus. Healthcare providers utilize the test results to verify that pregnancy developments are running smoothly.
- Glucose Tolerance Test: Screening for Gestational Diabetes
- A Glucose Tolerance Test represents an examination method used to detect possible gestational diabetes among pregnant women and fetus health.
- A glucose tolerance test (GTT) functions as a screening tool to detect gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) among pregnant people between weeks 24 and 28.
Types of Glucose Tests
- Throughout Glucose Challenge Test (GCT) the mother drinks sugar solution then receives blood sugar evaluation one hour later.
- A three-hour glucose tolerance test follows the positive results of the Glucose Tolerance Test to achieve a confirmation of gestational diabetes.
Why is This Test Important?
- Pregnant women need this test to detect gestational diabetes because affected patients face greater risks of premature birth combined with preeclampsia and abnormally large fetal growth known as macrosomia.
- An individual must control their blood sugar through proper diet and exercise along with medication in some cases.
- Hypoglycemic complications are prevented from developing in newborns after the birth process.
How to Prepare for the Test
The one-hour test does not demand any fast before testing. A period of fasting from 8 to 12 hours must occur before the performance of the three-hour test. The avoidance of sugary foods and regular intake of fluids before testing can produce reliable test results.
Additional Second Trimester Screenings
- The second-trimester screenings consist of two essential tests together with additional vital evaluations which include:
- The Quad Screen examines blood levels to determine genetic condition risks including Down syndrome together with neural tube defects.
- Women at high pregnancy risk may require amniocentesis which provides direct genetic condition diagnosis.
Conclusion
The development of both fetus and mother reaches its essential stage at the second trimester. A fetal anatomy scan checks for proper baby development and the glucose tolerance test both finds and controls gestational diabetes. A healthy pregnancy with safe delivery can be achieved through routine tests at prenatal appointments alongside proper nutrition along with medical guidance.
