Intrauterine development of a baby is a rather complicated process. It is possible to detect some pathologies in this period during an ultrasound scan. This simple study helps to identify even the most hidden diseases that have formed in the fetus.
Purpose of the
15 obstetric week is close to the scheduled 2 trimester screening. To carry out such a study or not during this period is decided only by the gynecologist who observes the pregnant woman. An examination is performed at the 15th week of pregnancy, mainly for certain medical reasons.
At this stage of intrauterine development, an ultrasound diagnostician can identify only some pathologies. Also, using this method, certain chromosomal and genetic diseases are determined. The appearance of technical errors at this time occurs much less frequently than in the initial weeks of pregnancy.
The beginning of the second trimester is the period when the child already has the heartbeat is perfectly audible. The baby's heart beats at a speed of 135-170 beats per minute. This heart rate is normal. After giving birth, the heart rate will gradually decrease. This indicator is physiological and does not require any correction.
During this period, the thyroid gland begins to work in the baby, who is still in the mother's womb. It is still difficult to call such functioning complete. The fetal thyroid gland captures iodine, but cannot yet synthesize hormones.
At this time, an experienced ultrasound specialist can determine the functioning of the baby's respiratory system. The child continues to develop the lungs, bronchi and alveoli. The fetus is supplied with blood at this stage through the placental vessels. He does not yet have his own independent blood supply. It is important to note that by the end of the 15th week, the "child's place" or placenta begins to function fully.
Some expectant mothers already feel the active movements of the babies. The fruit develops and begins to actively push. In some pregnant women, similar symptoms appear 2-3 weeks later.
Many pregnant women note that they noticed the active movements of the babies only by the end of the 2nd trimester.
In the fifteenth week, doctors evaluate the work of all these internal organs. All membranes are also evaluated. By conducting a study, an ultrasound specialist determines pathologies not only in the fetus, but also in the mother. To do this, he carefully examines all organs of her reproductive system using an ultrasonic sensor.
Gender determination can also be done at this stage. However, for this purpose, the study is carried out somewhat earlier. Qualified doctors can determine the sex of the unborn baby as early as 11-12 weeks of pregnancy.
The composition of the amniotic fluid that surrounds the fetus is sterile at this stage. Their number is a very important indicator.
An excessive amount of amniotic fluid indicates that dangerous pathologies are forming in the child.
Survey methods
During this period of intrauterine development, research can be carried out in different ways. The most commonly used method is a transabdominal examination. To do this, the doctor examines the belly of the future mother using a special sensor.
In order to better refract and reflect ultrasonic waves, a special diagnostic gel. It is applied to the skin of a pregnant woman's abdomen. The hypoallergenic chemical composition of the gel is not capable of causing any allergic reactions in women.
If the obstetrician-gynecologist recommends a transvaginal examination, then in this case the doctor inserts an ultrasound probe into the vagina. This ultrasound method is usually chosen in the early weeks of pregnancy.
The study is carried out in a conventional ultrasound room. Before the procedure, a pregnant woman lies on a special couch. In some cases, the ultrasound specialist may ask the expectant mother to turn on her left side. In this case, the uterus lends itself to better visualization.
If the expectant mother goes for examination at a regular clinic, then she should take with her paper napkins and a towel. Using a handkerchief, you can remove the remaining gel from the skin. A towel is laid on the couch before the procedure. If the study is carried out in a private clinic, then in this case all consumables are provided and included in the cost of the procedure.
The duration of the study may vary. This is largely determined by the experience and qualifications of the specialist who conducts the survey. On average, the procedure lasts 30-40 minutes. If additional Doppler sonography is required, that the duration of the study in this case can be about an hour.
What structures can be identified?
At the 15th week of pregnancy, the fetus is already perfectly visualized in the uterus. Modern devices allow you to get a fairly clear image. It is displayed on a special screen. With the help of such a monitor, the expectant mother can examine her future baby together with the doctor.
If during the study, the doctor reveals any serious pathologies, then he can immediately tell the pregnant woman about it. Also, these violations are entered into a special form of a medical report, which is given to the patient in her arms. It is permissible to take pictures during such a study. They are also given by hand and attached to the medical card.
Modern 3D and 4D techniques allow obtaining volumetric images on which even the smallest structures of the baby's body are visualized. The mom-to-be can see her baby moving or bending her fingers. Also during the examination, spontaneous movements of the fetal chest are often visible.
The doctor at this stage of intrauterine development can identify some heart defects in the fetus. Normally, a baby's heart consists of 4 chambers. There are special openings between them, which are closed by valves. The presence of anomalies of the valve apparatus of the heart and leads to the formation of heart defects.
Week 15 is the time for the mandatory assessment of the cervix of a pregnant woman. Gynecologists identify several types of pathologies that can develop in an expectant mother if there are defects in this reproductive organ. One of these dangerous pathological conditions is the development of isthmic-cervical insufficiency.
Also, during the study, a study of the ovaries is mandatory. Such a diagnosis is especially important for women who, before pregnancy, had various cysts or neoplasms in these reproductive organs. The ovaries play a very important role during pregnancy. They provide an optimal hormonal balance, which is necessary for the correct development of the fetus.
Indicator standards
Week 15 is a very close time for the second screening. This leads to the fact that not so many parameters studied are used to assess this period of intrauterine development of the fetus.
The size of the fetus at this stage of pregnancy is usually 10 cm. The weight of the baby is 60-70 grams. It should be noted right away that in case of multiple pregnancies, these parameters may be different. Quite often, at this stage of pregnancy, future twins or triplets weigh less than 50 grams.
In order to visualize what the baby looks like at this time, you just need to remember the orange. In terms of its weight, the fruit at this stage, as a rule, corresponds to the size of this fruit.
A baby at the 15th week of its intrauterine development already resembles a real person. His fingers, hairs and even marigolds are visible.
To determine the uteroplacental blood flow, the blood flow in the blood vessels of the placenta is determined. An experienced specialist conducting the study can identify pathological narrowing or even torsion of such vessels feeding the fetus. If such a situation did arise during pregnancy, then this requires a mandatory urgent consultation with a gynecologist.
The inner layer of the uterus is also examined. It is important that there are no myomatous nodules or any neoplasms on the endometrium. The thickness of the muscular layer of the uterus at this stage is usually 2-3 cm.
During the study, the position of the placenta is also determined. It is usually located either on the front or on the back of the uterus. There should be no overgrowth of the placenta. If it grows to the lower corner of the uterus at this time, then in the future, careful monitoring of its growth is required.
The results obtained are necessarily interpreted by an obstetrician-gynecologist. If you suspect the presence of some pathologies, it is also carried out determination of hCG. This biochemical marker makes it possible to detect various disorders in various periods of pregnancy. The conclusion of one ultrasound scan in no case can become a diagnosis.
Is it harmful?
The second trimester is a time when doing a lot of research is not dangerous at all. However, expectant mothers should be aware of the possible risk of developing adverse consequences. in case of abuse of ultrasound. Frequent use of this method without special medical indications can lead to various neurological disorders in the unborn baby.
In the normal course of pregnancy, there are no strict indications for ultrasound examination at this stage. In this case, it would be reasonable to wait for the second screening. It usually takes place from 16 to 20 weeks of gestation. In this case, it is much easier to identify any pathologies.
For information on what changes occur at the 15th week of pregnancy, see the next video.
