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Though both pelvic scan and abdominal ultrasound use sound waves, they look at different organs, require different patient preparation, and serve entirely different urinary purposes. 

While an abdominal ultrasound evaluates the upper body organs like the liver and the kidneys, a pelvic scan specifically checks the lower reproductive and urinary organs. 

Getting a pelvic scan in Siliguri can help you pinpoint the exact cause of chronic lower stomach pain. 

Also helping you know the cause of your heavy periods or urinary issues so your doctor can start the right treatment immediately.

Learn the 7 differences between a pelvic scan and an abdominal ultrasound in Siliguri with the help of this guide.

What is a Pelvic Scan and an Abdominal Ultrasound? 

Both abdominal ultrasound and pelvic scan are safe, non-invasive imaging procedures that use high-frequency sound waves. 

This is done to create real-time pictures or sonographs of your internal organs, which helps doctors do the following. 

Diagnose conditions

Check for abnormalities

Monitor your reproductive health or fetal development. 

Abdominal Ultrasound

An abdominal scan is primarily used to evaluate issues related to the following. 

Liver & Gallbladder, for detecting gallstones or fatty liver

Kidneys & Spleen

Pancreas

Abdominal aorta 

Pelvic Scan, Ultrasound

A pelvic scan focuses on the lower abdomen and pelvic cavity. It is frequently used for both men and women. 

This is done to assess the urinary system and is a vital tool in women’s reproductive health, but it can be done in both women and men. The purpose of this is below. 

In Women: For women, a pelvic scan or ultrasound helps examine the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes. It is used to detect fibroids, ovarian cysts, or pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), as well as to monitor early pregnancy.

In Men: In men, it is primarily used to examine the prostate gland and bladder. 

What are the 7 Differences Between a Pelvic Scan and an Abdominal Ultrasound in Siliguri? 

An abdominal ultrasound and a pelvic scan both use sound waves for imaging, or sonograms. 

However, an abdominal ultrasound checks the upper digestive and urinary organs, while a pelvic scan or ultrasound targets the lower reproductive and urinary structures. 

But they differ in targeted anatomy, preparation, probe placement, and diagnostic purpose.

These are both critical medical tools because they detect hidden internal health issues before they become severe. 

And because they use safe sound waves instead of radiation, they serve as an essential, risk-free defense in modern medicine. 

The seven core differences between these two scans, including the unique local prescription habits you will encounter at clinics in Siliguri, include the following. 

Their Anatomical Coverage and Target Organs

An abdominal ultrasound targets the upper gastrointestinal and upper urinary tracts. This spans from the lower rib cage down to the belly button. These ultrasounds check the organs like 

Liver 

Gallbladder

Pancrease 

Spleen 

Kidneys. 

Conversely, a pelvic scan focuses exclusively on the lower abdominal cavity from the belly button down to the pubic bone. 

It evaluates the following in males and females. 

Females: This scan helps evaluate the uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes in females. 

Males: This scan evaluates the prostate gland and seminal vesicles in males. 

Both: It helps evaluate the urinary bladder in both. 

Steps & Preparations Required Before These Scans:  

Just like for conducting any other test, there are certain criteria to be met.  These are no different. 

An Abdominal ultrasounds require you to practice strict fasting. You must not eat or drink anything for 6 to 8 hours before the test. 

It is because this stops the gallbladder from contracting and prevents bowel gas from blocking the organs. 

However, a pelvic scan requires the exact opposite. For this scan, you do not need to fast, but you must arrive with a full bladder. 

You must drink around one litre of water one hour before the test and hold your urine so the fluid pushes the gas-filled intestines out of the way. 

Scanning Methods and Equipment Options

Abdominal ultrasounds are performed strictly externally. The technique of conducting this test is to use a curved probe, which is moved over the skin of the upper stomach. 

While a pelvic scan can be performed externally as well, it frequently uses highly accurate internal methods. 

For women: For women, doctors often perform a Transvaginal Scan (TVS) using an internal wand probe. 

For men: For men, a Transrectal Ultrasound (TRUS) may be used to get a clear, unobstructed look at the prostate gland.

Their Sound Wave Frequencies and Resolution

Even if both use ultrasound techniques, their frequencies and resolutions are different. 

An abdominal scan uses lower-frequency sound waves, that is between 3.5 MHz and 5 MHz. 

These lower frequencies are required to penetrate deep into the body to map large organs like the liver, though with slightly lower micro-resolution. 

A Pelvic scans, especially an internal one, use much higher frequencies, like 7.5 MHz to 12 MHz. 

These waves cannot travel deep into the body, but because the internal probe sits millimetres away from the target organs, they provide ultra-high-definition structural details. 

Different Core Symptoms and Medical Indicators 

The core symptoms and the medical indicators of these ultrasounds and scans are different and are done for different purposes. 

Doctors order an abdominal ultrasound if you show signs of upper digestive issues, such as 

Severe upper stomach pain, 

Jaundice, that is, the yellowing of the eyes and skin, 

Chronic nausea, 

Suspected gallstones.

A pelvic scan is ordered for reproductive and lower urinary issues, which include the following in both women and men. 

For Women: For a woman, a pelvic scan is conducted when experiencing signs of irregular or heavy periods, severe menstrual cramps, infertility tracking, or checking the placement of an intrauterine device (IUD). 

For Men: In men, it treats issues like difficulty passing urine. 

Different Obstetric and Pregnancy Timelines

Abdominal ultrasounds are the standard tool during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. 

The fetus grows large enough to rise out of the pelvis into the main stomach area, making it easily visible from the outside, after 12 weeks. 

Whereas pelvic scans are crucial for early pregnancy. 

This is because a transvaginal pelvic scan is the standard during the first trimester, that is, between the 6th and the 10th weeks. 

It is done to confirm a fetal heartbeat, date the pregnancy, and rule out dangerous ectopic pregnancies. 

The Clinical Rationale for Fluid: 

In abdominal scans, fasting prevents the stomach and bowels from filling with gas, which blocks sound waves. 

In pelvic scans, a fluid-filled bladder acts as a clear acoustic window, pushing the gas-filled intestines upward out of the way so the hidden organs behind it become visible.

Conclusion 

Some differences between an abdominal ultrasound and a pelvic scan are in their anatomical coverage, target organs, steps, preparations, methods, equipment options, and many more. 

A pelvic scan in Siliguri is essential to diagnose your reproductive issues and unexplained lower abdominal pain using advanced local imaging clinics. 

Regular growth and Doppler scans for high-risk pregnancies are crucial diagnostic tools that track fetal weight and vital blood circulation of the baby. 

These scans act as an essential safety net for high-risk pregnancies, combining precise body mapping with real-time blood flow tracking. 

They also provide the detailed clinical evidence needed to protect both maternal and fetal lives. 

Regularly scheduling a Growth & Doppler scan in Siliguri gives doctors a powerful way to manage high-risk pregnancies.

Because conducting a Doppler scan measures blood flow in the placenta, umbilical cord, and baby’s vital organs. 

All these are done to ensure they are receiving adequate oxygen and nutrients that they need for their growth and development, and to evaluate the baby’s physical size and weight. 

Discover the 10 benefits of regular growth and Doppler scans in Siliguri for high-risk pregnancies, with the help of this guide. 

Why are Growth and Doppler Scans Important for High-Risk Pregnancies?

Growth and Doppler Scans are important for high-risk pregnancies for the following reasons. 

To continuously monitor placental function, and  

Ensure your baby receives the vital oxygen and nutrients they need 

Because high-risk pregnancies often have complicated conditions like preeclampsia, multiple gestations, and gestational diabetes, growth and Doppler scans are essential. 

And for this reason, they face a higher chance of placental insufficiency, which means the placenta struggles to deliver adequate nourishment. Hence, these scans are important in high-risk pregnancies. 

They provide life-saving information by determining the following:

For Detecting Fetal Dangers: 

Doctors can identify if a baby is in distress or not growing properly due to a restricted blood supply. And these can help in doing so because it measures the blood flow of the baby, and hence are important. 

Guiding Your Delivery Timing: 

For guiding your delivery timings and methods to prevent stillbirth or severe complications, this is essential.  

Done so by Doppler results, allowing healthcare providers to decide the safest timing and method, such as early induction or Cesarean section. 

Preventing Baby’s Brain Damage: 

These scans are crucial for preventing your baby’s brain from damage. This is because tracking blood flow to the baby’s brain helps ensure they are not suffering from hypoxia, or low oxygen, leading to damage.

10 Informative Benefits of Growth & Doppler Scans for High-Risk Pregnancies in Siliguri 

The non-invasive tools that track fetal development and blood circulation are called Growth and Doppler Scans. 

They provide vital insights into the baby’s weight, placental function, and oxygen supply. 

It allows doctors to detect fetal distress early and manage high-risk pregnancies effectively.

Here are the 10 key informative benefits of Growth and Doppler Scans for High-Risk Pregnancies in Siliguri.  

Guide to Understanding Placental Efficiency: 

Growth and Doppler scans for high-risk pregnancies are essential for the standard growth of the baby. 

They calculate the estimated fetal weight via structural metrics, but the Doppler mode measures the resistive and pulsatile indices within the uterine and umbilical arteries. 

Helping in the early diagnosis of placental insufficiency before structural growth delays appear.

Understanding Stages of Intrauterine Growth Restriction, IUGR: 

Doppler scans help in understanding the stages of intrauterine growth restriction, also known as IUGR, by evaluating blood flow in the middle cerebral artery and ductus venosus.

For classifying the growth restriction severity and guiding treatment as well. If a fetus is underperforming on standard growth charts, a Doppler scan evaluates blood flow in the middle cerebral artery and ductus venosus. 

Ultimately, classifying the growth restriction severity guides treatment. 

Predicting Early Indicators of Pre-Eclampsia Trajectories: 

To adapt to pregnancy, elevated resistance in maternal uterine arteries indicates a failure of the blood vessels. 

Because the marker can predict the onset of pre-eclampsia, which is pregnancy-induced severe hypertension, weeks before physical symptoms present. 

This is why growth and Doppler scans are crucial for high-risk pregnancies. 

Tracking of Fetal Compensation or Brain-Sparing Effect:

To protect vital organs like the brain, Doppler scans can track the baby redistributing blood flow when the placenta fails. 

Therefore, detecting this "brain-sparing" pattern alerts obstetricians to initiate immediate care. And so again, growth and Doppler scans are very important for high-risk pregnancies. 

Managing Risks of Gestational Diabetes: 

Growth and Doppler scans also help in managing the risks of gestational diabetes by tracking fetal abdominal circumference. 

It is done to monitor the metabolic health, ensuring medication doses remain accurate. Because diabetes can cause macrosomia, overgrowth, or sudden placental failure. 

Tools for Evaluating Amniotic Fluid Volume: 

Growth and Doppler scans measure the Amniotic Fluid Index, also known as AFI, or maximum vertical pocket. As drastic drops, called oligohydramnios, or spikes, called polyhydramnios, signal fetal kidney, placental transfer complications, or swallowing. 

And this is how growth and Doppler scans are tools for evaluating amniotic fluid volume, especially important during high-risk pregnancies. 

Ensures Safe Delivery for Multiple Babies, like Triplets & Twins  : 

They also ensure a safe delivery for multiple babies, like twins and triplets, because in multiple pregnancies, the babies share the same placenta. 

Therefore, regularDopplerr scans are mandatory to monitor for Twin-to-Twin Transfusion Syndrome, also called TTTS. This is an imbalance in blood flow between babies. 

Establishes and Estimates Clear Delivery Timelines and Methods: 

Regular growth and Doppler scans are also crucial because it helps in establishing or estimating clear delivery timelines and methods. 

Obstetricians use ductus venosus and umbilical vein blood flow waveforms to calculate the exact optimal day for delivery, instead of guessing. 

Ultimately, helping in balancing the risks of prematurity against the risks of keeping the baby in the womb. 

Reducing NICU Stays and Perinatal Mortality: 

Data indicate that incorporating Doppler velocimetry into high-risk protocols reduces stillbirth rates and unnecessary early inductions.

Helps by lowering the likelihood of severe newborn intensive care complications. 

And this is how these scans help in reducing NICU stays and perinatal mortality. 

Protects Your Baby During Birth: 

Regular growth and Doppler scans help in protecting your baby during birth by pinpointing compromised cardiovascular reserves ahead of time. 

The clinical team can plan a controlled Caesarean section or a closely monitored labor induction, preventing oxygen deprivation during contractions. 

Conclusion 

The benefits of scheduling regular Growth and Doppler scans for high-risk pregnancies are crucial for the following reasons. 

It guides in understanding placental efficiency, reducing NICU stays, protecting your baby during birth, ensuring safe delivery for multiple babies, and much more. 

Choosing the right diagnostic center for the growth and Doppler scan in Siliguri ensures early detection of risks like preeclampsia, protecting both mother and child.

Providing detailed images of a baby’s heart while in the womb, fetal echocardiography is a specialized, non-surgical ultrasound. 

When it comes to learning why fetal echocardiography is important for high-risk pregnancies, it enables the early detection of congenital heart defects. 

It ensures immediate post-birth care or surgical interventions while reducing maternal and neonatal complications.

This scan allows local fetal medicine experts to monitor the baby's heart health.

If you’re looking for fetal echocardiography in Siliguri, you can simply consult the best pediatric cardiologists for it. 

This blog provides an insight into “Why Fetal Echocardiography in Siliguri Is Important for High-Risk Pregnancies?” for all the new mothers. 

Let’s start with learning, 

Why Fetal Echocardiography in Siliguri Is Important for High-Risk Pregnancies? 

Typically performed between 18 and 24 weeks of pregnancy, a fetal echocardiography is a specialized ultrasound of an unborn baby’s heart. 

Allowing doctors to detect congenital heart defects (CHD) early so specialized delivery and postnatal treatments can be planned. 

It is done to closely evaluate the heart’s structure, rhythm, and function. 

A fetal echo provides a much deeper, targeted examination, while a standard pregnancy ultrasound checks the basics of a baby's heart. 

Although this is not a mandatory or routine test for all pregnant women.

But for most low-risk pregnancies, a standard level-2 anomaly ultrasound is sufficient because it already checks the basic structure and four chambers of the baby's heart.

Preparation and Peace of Mind: 

Identifying heart issues early helps expectant parents emotionally prepare and allows healthcare teams to decide on the safest delivery timing and location. 

Suspected Issues on Routine Scans: 

If a standard anomaly scan shows an irregular heartbeat, blurred views of the heart, or any potential structural abnormalities. There is a need to conduct a fetal echocardiography. 

Depending on Maternal Health Conditions: 

There may be a need to conduct a fetal echocardiography if the mother has pre-existing conditions like type-1 diabetes, lupus, or severe autoimmune disorders.

When Conceiving Pregnancy via IVF: 

Pregnancies achieved through In-Vitro Fertilization or IVF statistically carry a slightly higher risk of congenital heart anomalies. And so there can be a ned of conducting a fetal echocardiography. 

Based on Family History: 

If a parent, previous sibling, or close relatives, were born with a congenital heart defect. There may be a need to check the baby’s heart conditions in this case. 

Exposure to Medication: 

If the mother has taken specific medications linked to heart defects, such as certain epilepsy drugs or acne treatments, during early pregnancy. 

Standard Timing: 

Most fetal echos are scheduled during the second trimester, which is between weeks 18 and 22, because the heart is large enough and the amniotic fluid is optimal for clear imaging. 

Explaining further is 

Why is Siliguri a Key Hub for this Care? 

As the medical and economic hub of North Bengal, Siliguri is well-equipped to handle complex, high-risk antenatal cases: 

Siliguri’s Medical Expertise: 

To conduct these nuanced 30-to-60-minute scans, Siliguri hosts specialized fetal medicine experts and advanced diagnostic centers that possess the necessary technologies required.  

Prevention of Unnecessary Travel: 

By offering high-level fetal cardiology assessments locally, high-risk mothers in and around the Siliguri corridor can receive accurate risk evaluations without the stress of traveling long distances to metropolitan cities.

Explaining further is 

What does this Procedure of fetal echocardiography involve? 

Thinking about the safety precautions of this ultrasound, this procedure is completely safe for both mother and fetus, using sound waves rather than radiation. 

How it’s performed: 

It can be done via an abdominal ultrasound, which is when gel is applied to your belly. 

 This can also be done with an endovaginal ultrasound, which is a probe placed in the vagina, usually early in the first trimester, for clearer initial imaging.

And it is the first step in conducting this ultrasound or procedure. 

Duration of this Procedure: 

The scan is extensive and can take anywhere from 30 minutes to over two hours, and is generally conducted between the mark of 18 to 24 weeks of pregnancy. 

Preparation for this Procedure: 

Unlike routine pelvic ultrasounds, you do not need a full bladder. This is a non-surgical and specialized ultrasound that is done upon you pregnant belly to monitor the heart conditions of the baby. 

Explaining further is 

What are the conditions can it detect? 

Fetal Echocardiography allows doctors to detect congenital heart defects (CHD) early so specialized delivery and postnatal treatments can be planned. 

It is highly precise and checks the heart's walls, valves, blood vessels, and pumping strength to detect three main groups of conditions:

1. The Structural Heart Defects

These are anatomical issues where parts of the heart do not form correctly:

Valve and Aorta Issues: It helps detect narrowed or blocked pathways, such as Aortic Stenosis or Coarctation of the Aorta.

Septal Defects: This is when there are holes in the heart walls, like Ventricular Septal Defects or VSD.

Outflow Tract Defects: This procedure can detect misaligned major arteries, such as Tetralogy of Fallot or TOF, or Transposition of the Great Arteries or TGA.

Some Underdeveloped Syndromes: Some underdeveloped syndromes, like critical failures in heart growth, such as Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome, or HLHS, are detected by this procedure. 

Benefits of Early Detection of Conditions

Diagnosing a heart issue before birth drastically improves long-term outcomes. 

It allows pediatric cardiologists to intervene earlier and ensures that the delivery takes place in a hospital equipped with a high-level Neonatal Intensive Care Unit or NICU. 

The number one benefit of deception of these conditions is that your baby is in safe conditions while being born, giving you the required peace of mind, leading to a less hectic delivery. 

Detecting heart conditions early before birth saves lives and improves a baby's long-term health.

1. Ensures A Safer Delivery Planning

Necessary NICU access: This procedure ensures the baby is born in a hospital equipped with a specialized cardiac team.

Provides Immediate care: This allows doctors to give life-saving medications or surgery right after birth.

2. Providing Early Medical Treatment

In-utero therapy: Using medications passed through the mother, this permits doctors to treat certain irregular heartbeats. 

Protection of the baby: This procedure helps in protecting the baby's brain and organs from oxygen shortage, leading to a safer recovery.

3. Helps in Preparation for the Family

Time to learn: It gives parents time to understand the condition and meet with pediatric heart specialists.

Peace of mind: This removes uncertainty so families can feel prepared and supported.

Conclusion

Fetal Echocardiography is a specialized and non-surgical ultrasound procedure that helps in determining the condition of the baby’s heart. 

When it comes to learning why fetal echocardiography is important for high-risk pregnancies, it enables the early detection of congenital heart defects. 

This scan is important for ensuring immediate post-birth care or surgical interventions while reducing maternal and neonatal complications. 

This scan also allows local fetal medicine experts to monitor the baby's heart health.

If you’re looking for fetal echocardiography in Siliguri, you can simply consult the best pediatric cardiologists for it. 

One such doctor is Dr. Sweta Bothra, who is a fetal medicine specialist and radiologist in Siliguri, with advanced training in prenatal diagnosis and pregnancy imaging. 

She holds an MBBS, MD in Radiodiagnosis, and a Fellowship in Fetal Medicine.  

Pregnancy is different for everyone. Usually, things go along normally, and your routine tests are enough. But sometimes a scan or report might bring up a minor question.

That’s when your doctor might suggest a fetal medicine consultation.

Hearing that can make you pause for a second. You might start thinking if something is wrong. In many cases, it isn’t. It’s just a way to take a closer look instead of leaving things unclear. A specialist checks the baby’s growth in more detail, so you don’t have to keep wondering about it.

What Happens in Fetal Medicine?

It’s mainly about keeping a closer watch on the baby, how the growth is going, whether development is on track, and if everything inside the womb looks as expected.

Your regular doctor still manages your overall pregnancy. If it needs a closer look, then there is a fetal medicine specialist involved. That usually means looking at things properly and doing a more detailed scan rather than rushing into any treatment.

Understanding the Specialist’s Role

These are doctors trained to handle situations where a pregnancy needs a closer watch.

They don’t replace your regular doctor. They step in when something needs to be looked at more carefully. If there’s any confusion or even a small doubt, they help make things clearer so you’re not left guessing about what’s happening.

They usually work alongside your doctor, so everything stays connected, and there’s no break in your care. Their approach is to first understand things properly before suggesting any next step. They take a closer look at reports, scans, and overall progress to see if anything needs attention.

In many cases, their role is simply to confirm that things are going fine. And even when something does need attention, they guide you in a clear way so you know what to expect next.

When Your Doctor May Suggest It

There’s no single reason for it. It can come up in different situations, and many of them are more common than people expect.

If a scan isn’t completely clearSometimes a routine ultrasound leaves a small doubt. It may show something that isn’t fully understood at that moment. Instead of making assumptions, your doctor may suggest a more detailed check.

If you are pregnant and have a medical problemIssues like high blood pressure, diabetes, or thyroid imbalance can affect how things progress. Keeping a closer watch helps manage them better and avoids complications later.

If you’ve had problems in a previous pregnancyAn experience like miscarriage or early delivery often leads doctors to be more careful the next time. It’s not about expecting the same outcome, just being more prepared.

If the test results are not very clearSome screening tests don’t give a direct answer. They may only show a possibility. A specialist helps you understand what it actually means and what needs to be checked next.

If you’re carrying twins or moreMultiple pregnancies need extra attention. Growth can vary, and certain risks are slightly higher, so regular, detailed monitoring helps keep things under control.

If age is a factorPregnancy after 35 is quite normal, but doctors usually prefer closer observation in such cases. It’s simply a precaution.

If the baby’s growth needs a closer lookIf the baby appears smaller or bigger than expected during a scan, it’s worth checking properly. Most of the time, it’s nothing serious, but confirming it is important.

If something changes during pregnancyEven if everything starts normally, new conditions can develop later. Catching them early makes them easier to handle.

Why Getting It Checked Early Helps

When something isn’t clear, waiting doesn’t really help; it just keeps the doubt going. A fetal medicine consultation gives you a clear answer instead of leaving you guessing, and even if everything turns out normal, that clarity itself brings a sense of relief. 

It also helps you understand what to expect next, so you’re not constantly second-guessing small things. Once you have that clarity, it becomes easier to stay calm and focus on the rest of your pregnancy.

What to Expect During the Visit

It’s a normal visit, not very different from your usual check-ups.

The doctor will look at your reports and ask a few things about how you’ve been feeling so far. Then, a more detailed scan is done to check things properly. You just lie down while the scan happens; there's nothing uncomfortable about it.

It usually takes a bit more time than a regular scan because things are being looked at more carefully. If something needs to be explained, the doctor will go over it with you in simple words.

You can ask whatever is on your mind, no need to hold back.

By the time you leave, you at least know what the situation is and whether anything needs to be done next.

Conclusion

You don't always need extra care during pregnancy, but sometimes it helps to look more closely. It's better to check something out right away if a scan, report, or health condition makes you even a little bit unsure.

A fetal medicine consultation is just a way to get a better idea of what's going on, like the baby's growth, a test result, or any possible risk. In a lot of cases, it just confirms that everything is fine, which takes a lot of stress off your mind.

Finding out that you are pregnant can bring a whirlwind of excitement. Along with the excitement comes a lot of questions, among which the most common question is related to OB-GYN visits during pregnancy. The purpose of visiting an OB-GYN is more than just hearing a heartbeat. Regular OB-GYN is a roadmap to a healthy delivery and a thriving baby. From your initial pregnancy confirmation to the final weeks of scanning, regular visits to such specialists can help in the early detection of potential issues before they become major problems.

This blog will provide you with detailed insights on how often you should visit your OB-GYN during pregnancy so that you can ensure the optimal health and safety of your baby. 

Know How Often You Should Visit Your OB-GYN During Pregnancy

Here is a detailed breakdown on how often you should visit your OB-GY during pregnancy:

Initial confirmation visit: Once your pregnancy is confirmed, your first visit to the OB-GYN typically takes place between the 8th and 10th weeks. During this visit, the OB-GYN reviews your medical history, along with performing a pelvic and physical screening. In addition, your pregnancy is confirmed from the OB-GYN’s end as well through an ultrasound. You will be given an estimated due date for delivery after the ultrasound. Lastly, the OB-GYN will suggest blood tests for anaemia, infectious diseases, and blood types. Therefore, the initial confirmation visit is crucial for identifying immediate risks and creating a personalized care plan. 

Monthly check-ups during the first trimester: After the initial visit, you will see your OB-GY every four weeks between the 4th and 12 weeks. The main purpose of these visits is to monitor the baby’s adjustment to pregnancy and the early organ development. The key activities that take place during the first trimester are tracking your body weight and blood pressure. In addition, critical screening related to genetic conditions takes place between weeks 11 and 14. By visiting your OB-GYN during the first trimester, you can discuss early pregnancy symptoms, such as morning sickness, along with starting essential supplements, such as folic acid. 

Early second trimester monitoring: This monitoring typically takes place between weeks 14 and 20. A critical anomaly scan takes place between weeks 18 and 20, which helps in analysing the baby’s growth and organ development. In addition, the OB-GYN measures the belly size and listens to the fetal heartbeat at every visit during the early second trimester. The significance of early second-trimester monitoring is that it helps in confirming that the pregnancy is stable and the baby is developing as per the standard schedule.

Mid-second trimester screening: The visits for mid-second trimester screening continue every four weeks until week 28. These visits typically take place between weeks 21 and 28. Between weeks 24 and 28, you will undergo a glucose challenge test, which helps in screening for potential gestational diabetes. In addition, your OB-GYN monitors you for potential preeclampsia (high blood pressure) and anaemia. During the visits of mid-second trimester, you will mostly discuss the baby’s movements that you have started to feel regularly. Lastly, you will receive vaccinations, such as Tdap, which helps protect the newborn from whooping cough.

Early third trimester visits: These are bi-weekly visits that take place between weeks 28 and 36. The main goal of your OB-GYN during these visits is to ensure close monitoring of your pregnancy. Close monitoring once every two weeks helps in identifying potential late-pregnancy risks, such as preeclampsia and preterm labour.  The OB-GYN will continue to track your weight gain, blood pressure, and the baby’s growth. In addition, you can begin discussing your birth plan and pain management options during these visits.

Late third trimester weekly visits: Starting week 36 until your delivery, you will visit your OB-GYN every week. The weekly visits during the final days of pregnancy hold tremendous significance because the doctor assesses the baby’s position and performs cervical exams to check for dilation. In addition, a Group B strep test is performed between weeks 36 and 37 to ensure a safe delivery. Since labour pain can begin at any time during the final weeks of pregnancy, weekly visits help ensure that both the mother and the baby are ready for a healthy delivery.

Why OB-GYN Visits Matter During Pregnancy?

These are the top reasons that justify the importance of OB-GYN visits during pregnancy:

High-risk pregnancy care: If your pregnancy involves factors such as twins, advanced maternal age, or chronic health conditions, such as diabetes, it is considered a high-risk pregnancy. Thus, regular and timely OB-GYN visits hold tremendous significance in this regard because it allows more intensive monitoring, advanced tests, and specialised care.

Education and emotional support: OB-GYN visits are not just for tests, but they also provide essential education and emotional support. By visiting such a specialised doctor, you can gain guidance on nutrition, lifestyle habits, and exercise that directly impact your baby’s health. In addition, the visits provide safe spaces to express your fear, anxiety, or mental health concerns related to pregnancy.

Preparation for postpartum and beyond: During the final days of your OB-GYN visits, you can gain valuable lessons on breastfeeding, maternal recovery, and newborn care. In addition, the doctor will discuss the symptoms of postpartum depression to watch out for after birth. Thus, a smooth transition to a parental life can be ensured through such visits.

Final Words

Navigating through your OB-GYN visits during pregnancy might feel like a daunting task. However, each visit plays a vital role in terms of ensuring a safe pregnancy and delivery. Remember, the checkups provide peace of mind and assurance as well, along with tracking fetal growth. By maintaining a consistent prenatal schedule, you can ensure the highest level of care for yourself as well as for the unborn baby.

For the best OB-GYN consultation and visits, you can choose one of the top fetal medicine specialists, such as Dr Sweta Bothra. This is because such reputed OB-GYNs offer comprehensive prenatal care, which is highly effective for high-risk pregnancies as well as for low-risk pregnancies.

If you are pregnant or looking to conceive, then ultrasound scans hold tremendous significance. This is because they provide a safe, non-invasive, and real-time view of the reproductive organs and fetus. In addition, ultrasound scans help evaluate the baby’s growth, placenta position, and high-risk factors.

However, certain pregnancy ultrasound myths create unnecessary anxiety among expectant parents. It has been observed that the myths or misconceptions generally revolve around accuracy, safety, and necessity. This blog will break the most common myths about ultrasound scans during pregnancy, so that you can remove the unnecessary concerns and ensure proper monitoring of your baby’s development.

Know The Common Myths About Ultrasound Scans During Pregnancy

Here are some of the most common myths about ultrasound scans that you should be aware of during pregnancy:

Ultrasound scans use radiation that can harm the baby: This is one of the most popular beliefs among the masses. However, the truth is that ultrasound scans use sound waves, not radiation like X-rays. The sound waves used in ultrasound scans bounce off the internal structures and create images. Clinical studies and research have found that the use of sound waves to create images is absolutely safe for the fetus and the mother. This is supported by the WHO and FDA, which makes it even more reliable.

3D/4D ultrasounds are safer and more accurate than 2D: This is a major myth because the sound waves used in 3D and 4D ultrasounds are the same as those of 2D. The main objective of using the sound wave technology is to obtain a detailed image. Thus, 3D and 4D ultrasounds do not add more information. However, they can help in gaining a closer look at special features, such as the face of the baby. Overall, safety and accuracy are at the same level in 3D and 4D ultrasounds as compared to 2D.

Frequent ultrasound scans can harm the fetus: There is no clinical evidence that frequent ultrasound scans are harmful during pregnancy. Although it is highly recommended to avoid unnecessary ultrasound scans during pregnancy, so that the fetus is not exposed to prolonged ultrasound exposure. On the other hand, weekly ultrasound scans become important for high-risk pregnancies to ensure proper monitoring and safety measures for the baby. Therefore, the myth surrounding ultrasound scans harming the fetus should be removed.

A full bladder is required for every pregnancy ultrasound: This is another popular misconception or misinformation that has been spread. The fact is that a full bladder is required only during the first-trimester pregnancy scan, so that the uterus can be pushed up and a better view of the small fetus can be obtained. Therefore, for the next trimester scans, a full bladder is not required, and this eliminates the feeling of discomfort. 

Transvaginal ultrasounds can cause miscarriages: This is a myth because transvaginal ultrasounds are extremely safe and play a vital role in terms of generating clear images of the embryo. Thus, this type of ultrasound scan helps in detecting ectopic pregnancies. It is important to eliminate the myth or misconception that a transvaginal ultrasound can cause miscarriages because such a scan is necessary for ensuring high-quality diagnosis, especially during the first 12 weeks.

Ultrasound scans can detect 100% of birth anomalies: Despite the effectiveness of ultrasound scans in terms of detecting anatomical abnormalities, such as heart defects and cleft lips, they cannot detect every possible anomaly. There are additional factors, such as the quality of the equipment, fetal position, and the expertise of the fetal medicine specialist, that play a vital role in terms of determining the accuracy level. Therefore, the myth surrounding ultrasound scans being able to 100% detect birth anomalies needs to be removed and focus on the diagnostic centre quality, along with the experience of the fetal medicine specialist.

Ultrasound scans can provide an exact due date and fetal weight: This is a myth because ultrasound scans provide an estimated due date and fetal weight. The fact is that the due date and fetal weight depend on several factors, such as the baby’s position, the mother’s BMI, and the pregnancy stage. Therefore, ultrasound scans are a high-accuracy estimation and not a certainty. Overall, you need to understand the concept and objective of ultrasound scans during pregnancy instead of solely considering the results of the scans as a certainty.

You must not eat before an ultrasound: Ultrasound scans during pregnancy focus on the fetus and not on the liver or abdomen. Thus, you are not required to fast or skip meals before an ultrasound scan for pregnancy. In addition, top fetal medicine specialists or experienced radiologists suggest that one must not go hungry for ultrasound scans. This is because eating can sometimes allow the baby to move, which in turn leads to faster scanning.

Keepsake ultrasounds at non-medical clinics are fine: This is a dangerous myth because keepsake ultrasounds are generally performed by untrained radiologists. In addition, prolonged soundwave exposure can take place due to a lack of experience among the staff in such clinics. Therefore, you should only choose a reliable clinic with a qualified fetal medicine specialist or a radiologist so that a safe and accurate scan can be performed.

Final Thoughts

The question “Is ultrasound safe during pregnancy?” is one of the most commonly asked questions in prenatal care. This blog has busted some of the most common pregnancy ultrasound myths, which creates unnecessary panic and anxiety among people. Analysis of the myths indicates that ultrasound scans are absolutely safe due to the use of sound waves and not radiation.

In addition, ultrasound scans are a necessity to ensure proper monitoring and the safety of the baby and the mother’s health. Thus, you can choose a top fetal medicine specialist, such as Dr Sweta Bothra, who has several years of experience in conducting accurate ultrasound scans and managing high-risk pregnancies. 

A common ultrasound used to assess women's reproductive organs.

A pelvic scan is a non-invasive ultrasound that examines the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes (when visible), and surrounding pelvic structures. It is commonly advised to evaluate symptoms related to menstrual cycles, pelvic pain, fertility concerns, or abnormal bleeding.

Dr Sweta Bothra, Siliguri performs pelvic scans with a focus on accuracy and patient comfort. The scan helps detect conditions such as fibroids, ovarian cysts, uterine abnormalities, pelvic infections, and other causes of gynecological symptoms.

Pelvic scans are helpful for:

Evaluating pelvic pain or discomfort

Investigating irregular or heavy periods

Detecting fibroids, cysts, or uterine changes

Monitoring known gynecological conditions