Our USG department is equipped with four state of the art modern colour doppler machines in each of our consulting rooms and one 3D-4D Voluson for three dimensional & live 3D (4D) sonography.
The USG protocol that is followed in pregnancy includes one 11-13+6 weeks scan as a screening scan which includes an assessment of Nuchal translucency (or NT). NT assessment is a very valuable parameter in early pregnancy and gives the sonologist an opportunity to identify a fetus at risk for trisomy 21, or other chromosomal disorders, and a wide range of genetic syndromes. The 11-13+6 weeks scan also establishes viability, accurate dating of pregnancy and detection of multiple pregnancies.
This is followed by 18-21 weeks 3D-4D anomaly scan for all antenatal mothers. These two scans together can pick up 80-90% of major and minor anomalies in the fetus. In the 18-21 weeks anomaly scan, we visualize all the fetal organs, placenta and liquor in details and also see live 3D-4D images of the unborn child. Pregnancy and organ development of baby is a continuous ongoing process of 9 months and just a single scan is not enough to stamp normalcy of fetal organs.
Hence we follow up in all patients with the growth scan and color doppler at around 28 weeks. Color doppler of umbilical artery, middle cerebral artery, fetal aorta, ductus venosus and maternal uterine arteries with calculation of RI (Resistance Index), PI (Pulsatility Index) and S/D ratio (Systolic/Diastolic ratio) gives an idea of normalcy of blood flow in fetus. Any abnormality in these indices or in blood flow pattern is a pointer towards various pathologies setting in the fetus e.g. IUGR, Brain sparing effect, pregnancy induced hypertension etc.
With plenty of liquor around the baby, it is easy to see real 3D-4D images of fetus and visualize the in utero movements and activity of the unborn child. Patients are provided with CDs of these movements so that they can enjoy these at home with their families on the computers.
Hence forth, on every visit we subject the patient to growth scan to assess fetal weight, liquor and position of baby.
Our infertility department, like obstetrics is also incomplete without the valuable aid of USG. Diagnosis of difficult and complicated gynaec pathologies like endometriosis, adenomyosis, chocolate cysts, fibromyomas, hydrosalpinx & Tubo-Ovarian mass, poly cystic ovaries and ovarian cysts, Pelvic Inflammatory disease, intrauterine and intra pelvic adhesions, Septate uterus, Asherman’s syndrome, pelvic abscess and Ectopic pregnancy is possible with great accuracy and certainty by ultrasonography.
It is actually a whole lot of valuable, crucial information which the infertility and IVF specialist can get out of the follicular scans which are done by USG. Ovarian volume, follicular volume and size, peri follicular flow, endometrial thickness and pattern, myometrial echotexture, spiral artery blood flow, uterine artery blood flow and colour doppler; all the doppler indices like Resistance Index, Pulsatility index, Systolic/Diastolic ratio give us an idea of blood flow to endometrium and ovarian follicles. Ovum pick up and embryo transfer is also procedures done exclusively under USG guidance by the IVF specialist.
