A fetal well-being scan with fetal Doppler Ultrasound helps to check on the blood flow patterns in fetal circulation. The technique uses sound waves to detect blood movement in the baby, placenta and uterus. This helps in diagnosing many pregnancy complications, especially in high-risk pregnancies.

Doppler Ultrasound

Doppler ultrasound is an ultrasound or sonogram scan. It is a non-invasive test and is used to evaluate blood flow patterns. Which, a regular ultrasound scan cannot detect.

Doppler ultrasound is used to diagnose conditions like:

Blood clots
Heart valve defects or complications
Arterial occlusion
Venous insufficiency
Peripheral artery disease
Aneurysms
Carotid artery stenosis, etc.

Doppler Ultrasound Scan for Fetal Well-Being

The main goal of all routine antenatal care is to identify any foetus at risk. This helps to provide appropriate medical intervention to reduce prenatal morbidity and mortality.

The Doppler ultrasound scan during pregnancy is used for the examination of blood flow movement between the uterus, placenta and fetus. This helps doctors identify if there are any pregnancy complications. Identifying if the babies are not thriving in the womb, helps doctor provides necessary medical intervention to improve the outcomes for these babies.

Different types of Doppler methods used in obstetrics are:

Continuous wave
Pulsed-wave
Colour and power Doppler flow

Doppler ultrasound can detect abnormal blood flow patterns in fetal circulation indicating poor fetal prognosis. In case of high-risk pregnancy, this could prove to be beneficial to improve the outcome of the baby. But in the case of low-risk pregnancy if this is a false positive result then it may lead to inappropriate medical interventions.

Doppler Ultrasound Scan in Normal or Low-Risk Pregnancy

Doppler ultrasound scan in low-risk pregnancy is an unnecessary medical intervention. Any misdiagnosis or false positive results of the Doppler scan will lead to anxiety and inappropriate medical measures. This may have the subsequent risk of iatrogenic morbidity and mortality.

Doppler Ultrasound Scan in High-Risk Pregnancy

Using a Doppler ultrasound scan can show benefits in high-risk pregnancies, where the concern for the baby is critical. Doppler ultrasound scans in high-risk pregnancies can result in a reduction in prenatal deaths. Hence, a Doppler scan in high-risk pregnancies is beneficial.

Conclusion

A fetal scan for fetal well-being with Doppler ultrasound is a screening test. It uses high-frequency sound waves to identify the blood flow pattern in the foetus, placenta and uterus. Any screening tests have the potential to be beneficial and also harmful.

For a normal healthy pregnancy Doppler ultrasound, a fetal scan is considered an unnecessary intervention. It may even cause adverse effects in case of misdiagnosis. For low-risk pregnancies, there is a high chance of getting false-positive results. This can cause anxiety and lead to inappropriate interventions.

During the case of high-risk pregnancy, it is recommended to go through a fetal scan by using a Doppler ultrasound. The objective of Doppler ultrasound during high-risk pregnancy is to assess fetal well-being and to improve the outcome of the baby. Contact and consult a licensed healthcare provider for the fetal Doppler ultrasound scanning.

Request an appointment at Apollo Cradle, DELHI-NCR - Chirag Enclave. Call 1860-500-1066 to book an appointment.

1. What is the use of a Doppler scan in pregnancy?

In the case of pregnancy, a Doppler scan is used to detect the blood circulation pattern in the baby, placenta and uterus. This scan is used during cases of high-risk pregnancy when there is an urgent concern for the baby’s condition. During high-risk pregnancy, the Doppler scan shows benefits. While during low-risk pregnancy it is not only an unnecessary medical intervention but can also cause adverse effects.

2. During which period in your pregnancy do you need a Doppler scan?

Doppler scan is used to assess the blood flow movement between the uterus, placenta, and baby and also within its cord, heart and brain. Hence, a Doppler scan is usually performed during the third trimester in case of high-risk pregnancy.

3. How does a Doppler scan work during pregnancy?

Doppler scan uses sound waves to give a visual and audible representation of blood movements in the baby, uterus and placenta.

4. Can you identify gender using a Doppler scan?

Yes, it is possible to identify the gender of a fetus using a Doppler scan. However, it mostly helps in identifying males than a female fetus.

5. Risks of Doppler ultrasound in pregnancy?

Doppler ultrasound can cause a potential risk of mechanical effects on fetal tissue. Especially during low-risk pregnancy a false positive result of a Doppler ultrasound will cause anxiety and lead to inappropriate medical interventions.