How is ultrasound scanning important?


Caregivers rely heavily on ultrasounds to make clinical decisions using the information gained from the scans. Basically ultrasound scan helps in checking the condition of the mother's uterus and ovaries. It helps to determine if the pregnancy is ectopic or uterine. In the later part of the pregnancy location of the placenta becomes important and with a scan that can be established. Scanning also monitors fetal development. Once you know you are pregnant, a scan can be performed to confirm how far along is the pregnancy i.e. finding out baby's gestational age. If it is a single or multiple pregnancy, if fetus growth is normal, if fetus has congenital abnormalities (chromosomal or structural defects) are some other key issues that can be discovered via a scan. So yes, ultrasound is an important screening method especially if the mother has had some issue or the other with her pregnancy in the past or is facing problems with her current pregnancy.