For the first time a woman will have to undergo ultrasound screening at a period of about 12 weeks of pregnancy, or rather, between 10 and 14 weeks. In this article, we will tell you about what a doctor can establish when performing this diagnostic method at this time.
What parameters are determined by ultrasound screening at 12 weeks?
First and foremost, the doctor will certainly check the presence of all four limbs in the baby, the degree of development of the spine and brain. Ultrasound diagnosis at this time can show serious deviations in the development of the baby.
The most important indicator, which the doctor will surely measure, is the thickness of the collar space (TVP). Collar space is the area between the skin and soft tissues in the neck of the baby. It is here that liquid accumulates, and the probability of development of certain pathologies of the fetus depends on the size of this space.
A significant deviation of the TBC value from the norm based on the results of ultrasound screening at the 12 week gestation period is likely to indicate the presence of Down syndrome or other chromosomal mutations. Meanwhile, increasing the thickness of the collar space can only be an individual feature of the future baby,
The decoding of the ultrasound screening scores for 12 weeks together with the results of the tests is filed in a pregnant woman's card, and furthermore, more than one study is conducted to determine the presence of chromosomal abnormalities in order to exclude any possibility of error. In case of confirmation of Down's syndrome or other diseases, the future parents together with the doctor should carefully weigh everything and decide whether they will interrupt the pregnancy or give birth to the baby, no matter what.