Third trimester ultrasound to assess fetal growth and well-being.

The purpose of this ultrasound examination is to:
  

• Fetal growth retardation screening is used to identify fetuses that have not reached their growth potential. This screening is important because it allows for more frequent monitoring of the fetus's growth and well-being. If necessary, it can help determine when to deliver the baby in a timely manner.
• Assess the growth and well-being of fetuses in women who are at an increased risk of preeclampsia and/or fetal growth retardation, particularly following the OSCAR test.
• Detect developmental abnormalities that may arise for a given gestational age, which were not assessable during a second-trimester ultrasound examination.
• Identify women whose babies are larger than expected for their gestational age, or who have excess amniotic fluid, to help detect late-onset gestational diabetes promptly.
• Recognize women whose babies have insufficient amniotic fluid, necessitating increased monitoring to assess growth and well-being, and allowing for timely decisions regarding delivery if needed.
• Determine the presence of selective growth retardation or twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome in twin pregnancies.
• Evaluate the well-being of the baby in situations where expectant mothers express concerns about decreased fetal movement.
• Continuously assess the location of the placenta and the potential need for delivery in women with a low-lying placenta detected in an ultrasound examination for fetal malformations.
• Assess the fetal hemoglobin levels in Rh-negative women whose partners are Rh-positive to determine whether an intrauterine blood transfusion is necessary.

As an additional service, we offer the following assessments:
 

• Evaluation of the risk dynamics for preeclampsia in women at high risk who have received low-dose aspirin prophylaxis. This assessment identifies those women who may not benefit from aspirin and are at an increased risk of developing preeclampsia, necessitating more frequent monitoring.
• Measurement of cervical length in women experiencing frequent uterine contractions to detect the onset of preterm labor promptly.
• Monitoring the presence and frequency of uterine contractions, as well as the well-being of the fetus, using fetal computerized cardiotocography (CTG).
• Assessment of the diurnal arterial blood pressure profile (blood pressure Holter monitoring) in women suspected of having preeclampsia or gestational hypertension.
• If the baby is in an optimal position, we can provide a 3D image of the baby’s face.

The ideal time for a third-trimester ultrasound to evaluate fetal growth and well-being is between 32 and 34 weeks of pregnancy.