(Oct.
14, 2008) Introduced in the 1950's, ultrasounds have improved dramatically and
have become a standard practice of pregnancy care. Besides determining the
fetus's gender, Dr. Joseph S.K. Woo, of Hong Kong, an expert in the field,
states that, "Few people will doubt its usefulness in improving gestational age
dating, in the early recognition of fetal anomalies, in the identification of
intrauterine growth retardation and of multiple gestations."
An ultrasound is typically done by the 20th week of pregnancy, and is currently considered to be a safe, non-invasive, accurate and cost-effective analysis of the developing fetus. Very high-frequency sound waves are transmitted by a hand-held device called a transducer that is placed on the woman's abdomen. The transducer sends information that is picked up by a monitor much like that of a computer's screen, and a 2-D image is displayed.
Another development has been the 3-D ultrasound, in which the transducer records thin slices of pictures, and computer software arranges them to produce a 3-D effect. More recently, 4-D ultrasounds have been developed, which improve the moving images of the fetus. 2-D is black and white, while 3-D and 4-D are color. All three use the same sound waves ' what is different is the quality of the transducer and the software used to compile the images.
The more advanced ultrasound technology allows for closer bonding between parents and child, and serves as an encouragement for the mother to eat properly and give up habits such as smoking and heavy drinking. 2-D scans are sufficient today in detecting necessary diagnostic information.
Free ultrasounds can be arranged for women in Berwyn, Cicero, Stickney,
North Riverside, Maywood, Forest Park and Oak Park or surrounding communities in
Illinois for those who come into WomanCare Services center in Berwyn. Call
WomanCare at 708-795-6000.
Sources:
Obstetric
Ultrasound, A Comprehensive Guide, website by Dr. Joseph S.K. Woo
YouTube ultrasound videos of babies
"Fetal
Ultrasound: What Can It Tell You?" Mayo Clinic
Abortion and Birth Control News is a project of TreeFrogClick, Inc. President, Kevin J. Banet