Fetal doplerography

Dopplerography refers to ultrasound methods of the study, which is conducted to assess the blood flow in the fetus. With the help of this method, the condition of the vessels of the placental system is determined. To carry it out, no additional devices are required, because most modern ultrasound devices have the functions of a dopplerograph.

How is the procedure performed?

Before the dopplerography of the fetus, the doctor determines the area under investigation: vessels of uteroplacental blood flow, vessels of the brain, heart, liver. By activating the Doppler function and sending the sensor to the organ under examination, the doctor will receive an image on the screen. The apparatus will analyze these data on its own. The procedure is absolutely painless and short-lived - 10-15 minutes.

Is everyone prescribed dopplerography?

Dopplerography of uteroplacental blood flow is prescribed for all pregnant women at the 32nd week of bearing the fetus. In the case of special indications (feto-placental insufficiency, suspicions of intrauterine growth retardation), the study may be conducted earlier than the indicated period (22-24 weeks).

Dopplerography is also prescribed in such cases as:

• multiple pregnancies;
• Rhesus-fetus and mother conflict.

Also, in cases where the physical parameters of the fetus do not correspond to the gestational age, ultrasound of the fetus with dopplerography can be assigned to assess the blood flow condition.

What parameters are diagnosed in Doppler?

In total, there are 2 arteries and 1 vein in the umbilical cord, which supply the fetus with nutrients and oxygen. So, on the artery the blood goes to the baby directly from the placenta. Through the vein, the products from the decay are removed from the fetus.

For normal functioning of such blood circulation, resistance in the walls of the artery should be low. In the case of narrowing of the vessel, oxygen deficiency develops, which affects negatively the intrauterine development.

What disorders of blood flow can be diagnosed with Doppler?

When performing dopplerography of fetal vessels, the following indicators are established:

• blood flow velocity,
• vascular pressure,
• elasticity of blood vessels.

When comparing the values ​​obtained, various blood flow disturbances can be detected. So, allocate:

• 1 degree A - when there is a malfunction in the utero-placental blood system, but the fetal placenta system functions normally;
• 1 degree B - is exposed when the fetus-placenta system is impaired, and uteroplacental blood flow has no disturbances;
• 2 degree - in cases where violations are present immediately in 2 systems, but they are not critical;
• 3 degree - are observed when violations of the fetal placenta system is critical, and uteroplacental blood flow is disrupted.

At 1 degree of violation, the pregnant woman is observed throughout the remaining period. Examination and ultrasound are performed once a week. At the same time, if the CTG conducted did not reveal any violations and threats for the further course of pregnancy, the birth takes place on time.

At the 2nd degree the control of the condition of the pregnant woman is carried out every 2 days. The observation lasts up to 32 weeks and, in the presence of indications, conduct a cesarean section.

With 3 degrees of violations, a woman is under daily monitoring by doctors, and in the presence of threatening factors for pregnancy, a cesarean section is performed.

Thus, dopplerography of the fetus is a method of research that determines whether uteroplacental blood flow is normal and whether the baby experiences pain in this regard.