During pregnancy, the doctor or healthcare provider will closely monitor both mother and baby. Regular tests and ultrasounds help them keep track of everything important. Fetal heart rate monitoring is a very important part of this monitoring. Many doctors use the Doppler ultrasound to monitor the baby.
A Doppler ultrasound is an imaging technique healthcare providers use to monitor a fetus’s heart and blood vessels. This technique uses sound waves to form images of the baby and the blood circulation inside the uterus. It can show how much and how fast the blood is moving in the umbilical cord, blood vessels, brain, and heart of the baby. It helps monitor the blood circulation in the uterus, placenta, and baby.
A Doppler ultrasound will help identify restrictions in the blood flow to the baby in the uterus due to health issues like sickle cell anaemia, RH sensitisation, or abnormalities in the blood vessels.
When a baby does not receive enough blood flow, it can affect its entire growth and development. The baby will not get enough oxygen or nutrients to support its growth. This can lead to low birth weight, premature birth, a small baby, or even impairment in development.
A Doppler ultrasound is usually done in the third trimester, around the 32nd week of pregnancy. Most doctors recommend this test as a routine scan during pregnancy to ensure everything is on track with both mother and baby.
If your doctor suspects a problem with the baby, they can request a Doppler ultrasound anytime. In high-risk pregnancies, the ultrasound can be done during the early stages and also more than once.
Different types of Doppler Ultrasounds can be done at different points during pregnancy. The three types of Doppler Ultrasound used in pregnancy are:
1. Continuous Doppler – CWDU – Continuous Wave Doppler Ultrasound uses only sound waves to get images of the fetus.
2. Duplex Doppler—This technique combines traditional ultrasound images with Doppler ultrasound. It helps to identify blockages in blood flow and also checks the width of the blood vessels.
3. Colour Doppler—In this ultrasound, the computer shows the different directions of blood flow in different colours to facilitate analysis.
There is a fourth type of Doppler ultrasound. Doctors don’t recommend this type during pregnancy unless they have a strong suspicion that the blood flow in the baby’s brain is not normal.
4. Transcranial Doppler – This type of ultrasound examines the blood flow in the baby’s brain. It helps detect blood clots or a possible stroke.
Prenatal check-ups happen regularly to ensure both mother and baby are fine. These check-ups and scans help identify issues with the fetus at the earliest. By identifying a fetus at high risk or with issues, the doctors can decide on the next course of action before it is too late. A Doppler ultrasound is a crucial scan in keeping a close watch on the baby.
Doctors recommend a Doppler Ultrasound in the following cases:
● High-risk pregnancy
● If you are carrying more than one baby
● Baby has an infection like the parvovirus disease
● History of low birth weight babies
● Baby’s growth is slower than expectation
● History of miscarriages or stillbirth
● History of baby death soon after birth
● You have gestational diabetes, hypertension, or other diseases that can affect the pregnancy outcome.
The fetal heart rate is one of the most reliable parameters that can indicate issues with the baby. If the baby is not receiving enough blood, oxygen, or nutrients, the blood flow from the heart will not match expectations. If the blood pumped by the heart during resting and active periods does not match expectations, doctors can start checking for possible causes. This early identification of a potential issue can help reduce preterm deliveries, stillbirth, low birth weight, and various other complications.
A Doppler ultrasound is usually done by a sonographer. In case of complications or high-risk pregnancies, a gynaecologist may be present during the ultrasound.
A Doppler ultrasound is a noninvasive scan that is done on the belly using a device that emits sound waves. There are no risks involved. However, it can be a little uncomfortable when the healthcare provider tries to get the right angles or nudges the baby for movement.
A Doppler Ultrasound is a routine, noninvasive scan that is very similar to other ultrasounds during pregnancy. It does no harm and helps monitor the baby instead. Knowing more can help preventive care ensure the baby is safe and healthy.
● It is recommended to do the Doppler ultrasound in the 32nd week of pregnancy for the most accurate results. In case of high-risk pregnancies or if the baby is not growing as per expectations, the ultrasound can be performed earlier.
● It is not compulsory to get the Doppler Ultrasound during pregnancy. However, it is routine to check the fetal heart rate, blood flow, and other parameters during pregnancy. In case of high-risk pregnancy or some development delays in the fetus, a Doppler Ultrasound is highly recommended.
● If the Doppler ultrasound results are normal, it means the blood flow to the baby, through the uterus, and the umbilical cord is all normal, and there are no blocks or clots to worry about.