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Third Trimester Scan During Pregnancy
After getting through all the hurdles and bearing with so many changes in your body and lifestyle because of your pregnancy, you have finally made it to the third trimester. As your due date draws closer and the time for you to hold your baby in your arms is approaching, your doctor is most likely going to ask you to go in for a third-trimester growth scan.
What is a Third Trimester Growth Scan?
This is a routine procedure that is performed to check the baby’s growth and development and to see whether any complications lie ahead. The scan is meant to measure your baby’s abdominal circumference, head and legs. You will be advised to have a growth scan at 28 weeks and another growth scan at 32 weeks.
Why is this Scan Done?
Here are some reasons your doctor may ask you to get these scans done:
Multiple Babies: Twins or triplets have a higher chance of developing growth problems in the womb due to there being so little space. Doctors will want to ensure that all is well.
Monitor Size And Well-Being: If you have high blood pressure or diabetes, your doctor will want to perform these tests to make sure that your baby is not having trouble growing. Sometimes there are concerns that the baby is too small or too big.
Symptoms Of Complications: Your doctor will need to check on the condition of your baby if you have any symptoms of complications. These could include pain, reduced fetal movement or even bleeding.
Anatomy Review: Your doctor may need to double check the state of any suspected abnormalities that may have been discovered during the ultrasound done at around 19 weeks.
Placental Review: Sometimes the placenta can show as being very low during the 19-week ultrasound. This usually corrects itself as you enter your third trimester as it gets pulled away from the cervix due to the growing uterus.
Assessing Position: This becomes more important the closer you get to your due date as the doctor will need to be sure the baby is in the right position to be born.
What will the Doctor Examine during the Scan?
The scans during the third trimester will always be done based on your own medical history and based on the results of your previous ultrasounds. Here are a few things that the doctor will examine during the ultrasound:
1. Baby Measurements:
Usually, a baby’s measurements will depend on the parents. The baby’s head, abdominal muscles and the length of the leg are what will be looked at and measured against the standard
2. Amniotic Fluid:
There needs to be a certain amount present in order for your baby to grow well. There are wide ranges of these fluids during pregnancy, though it will change according to the stage of pregnancy.
3. Baby’s Heart Rate and Rhythm:
The average heartbeat a baby should have is about 120-180 beats per minute. The heart rate of your baby will probably vary. Just like for adults.
4. Position Of Placenta:
The inner end of the placenta should not be lying too close to the cervix, a phenomenon called “placenta praevia.”
5. Length of Cervix:
This is most important if you go into premature labour, have vaginal bleeding and are experiencing pain. In some cases, a transvaginal ultrasound will be done to see exactly what the problem is.
6. 3D Images of Baby:
Some parents request to see their babies in the womb, and now it is even better as there are ways to take 3D images of the child in the womb.
7. Size of Baby:
The estimated fetal weight (EFW) is usually compared to other fetuses of the same gestational age. An EFW which shows on the 50th percentile is considered to be the average size. Anything lower than the 10th percentile is a small baby, and if the percentile is above 90, it is a big baby.
8. Blood Flow in Umbilical Cord:
The measurements of the baby’s blood flow in the umbilical cord are measured using something called Doppler studies. These are very helpful in determining the well-being and health of your baby. For those babies that are not developing properly, there will be a change in the blood flow, and this is what the doctors monitor as they will be able to assess if the baby needs to be delivered early or not.
9. Position of Baby:
There are three ways in which your baby could be positioned inside the womb. These are the cephalic position (Heads down), breech position (buttocks down, head at the top of the uterus) and the transverse position (baby is sideways, across the uterus). The doctors will pay closer attention to this closer to the end of the gestation period.
10. The Uterus:
The uterus needs to be checked for any problems. For example, if a mother has uterine fibroids, they will be identified and their location noted by the doctor.
What will the Baby Look Like in the Scan?
Though most think that the bigger the baby gets, the easier it is to see, this could not be further from the truth. It gets much harder to see the baby, and most often the baby will be looked at in parts.
It is very much possible to get some beautiful and clear pictures of your baby while he is still in the womb. There are a few things that influence how well the baby can be seen and what parts of the baby are visible. The baby’s position, the mother’s abdomen and the volume of amniotic fluids present in the womb all play important roles here.
What 3rd Trimester Scan Can’t Reveal?
Here are a few things 3rd-trimester scans cannot reveal:
Baby Weight: The bigger the baby, the harder it becomes to assess all the information wanted about its growth. The baby’s weight is something the doctor cannot make out as sometimes the positioning will hinder the ability to measure the head, abdomen and legs of the baby.
Blood Source: If there is any bleeding, the scans won’t be able to tell where it is coming from.
Due Date: Your due date should already have been established before 20 weeks of gestation as babies become unique in size and shape.
Is Third Trimester Scan Safe?
Though these scans are perfectly safe and do not have any side-effects, your doctor may only advise you to get one done if he suspects something is amiss.
FAQ's
In the third trimester, the ultrasound is done using the transabdominal ultrasound, where the scan is done through the abdomen, using a clear gel and probe. Another way of monitoring your baby’s growth and progress is through the transvaginal ultrasound. This involves the probe lying in the vagina. Your permission is always required before a transvaginal ultrasound is performed.
1. Do I Need A Full Bladder for Third Trimester Ultrasound?
A partially filled bladder is ideal for the transabdominal ultrasound as the images will be clearer. It should not be so full that it becomes painful. If this is the case, you will be asked to empty your bladder a bit before continuing. If the transvaginal ultrasound is needed, you will be asked to empty your bladder before starting.
2. Why Do Women Sometimes Feel Faint during Third Trimester Ultrasound Scan?
When you lie down, the vena cava at the back of your abdomen becomes compressed due to the weight of the baby. This cause you to become nauseous and faint, especially if you are carrying a large baby or carrying more than one child. If you experience this while lying down for your ultrasound, it is always best to tell your sonographer as you will then be able to stop and either move to lying slightly on your side or change to a more upright position before you start to feel worse.
As babies grow in spurts, doctors often advise you to undergo a series of scans rather than just the one scan as this will enable them to compile information about your baby’s well-being with more accuracy. Though it may seem troubling to you when you are asked to go in for these scans, remember that it does not always mean there is definitely going to be a complication; most often it is done to ensure that all is well. Even if there is something to be worried about, it is always best to be able to deal with the issues as early as possible so that you and your baby will have a brighter future.
Also Read:
First Trimester Scans during Pregnancy
Pregnancy Ultrasound Scans Read more
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Babyhug Breast Pads a Saver for all New Moms Review.
Hi,
I am Karishma, a new mom for the second time. My baby arrived this September and it been a crazy ride since then.
Mothers usually give baby products and baby essentials all the importance and a few things for herself like a front open night suit, gown etc. All new moms also keep in mind a maternity bra which helps to feed their baby easily, but the new essential in the Mumma and baby bag should be breast pads.
It's not just for working women but also ideal for all the moms for a simple reason to keep themselves hygienic. Keeping a napkin is not advisable nowadays, and I would say to all the moms to keep breast pads for your safety.
So I have used quite a few brands of breast pads, and after trying and using soo many, I came across babyhug, and guess what, it is the best one among them all. Let me tell you a few reasons why.
It is just the best according to me because,
Here are a few reasons ;
• it is economical, so doesn't pinch the pocket, its well priced.
•It is well packaged in different quantities; Pack of 6 for travelling, trying purposes or even to keep one pack in the purse for emergency use.
Pack of 36 for moms who don't need it much
Pack of 96 for moms who use it regularly.
•The material is thin and comfortable; I can wear it for the whole day for around 10hrs without having any discomfort or without having to change it. It gives a good fit, so I do not have to worry now.
•Because it is soo thin and slim no one can tell that we are wearing a breast pads.
•It has a honeycomb quilt which helps in super absorbent and keeps us dry at all times
I only think that if there could be a few new colours, then it would match my lounge wear also.
I suggest and recommend all moms to try the babyhug breast pads to make our life more easy and comfortable. I wear them at night as well. I give it a 5/5 for this product. Read more
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Castor oil for baby and for momma health benefits Mom and baby care
Hey,
Benefits to baby
You know formula feed babies poop more than breast milk feed babies since breast milk absorbed by the baby body completely.
But breast feeding babies do suffer with contsipation and to avoid castor oil feed is given to the baby early in the morning for pooping.
And the quantity should be minimum when it is fed to baby also check if any allergic reaction. Usually it suits for every one but on the safer side observe for such reactions.
Also, heat rashes are common after baby is born when getting adjusted to the temperature in the world. If you keep applying castor oil to the baby by afternoon that will really makes baby cool. This really helps during summers alot.
Applying castor oil to the hair also very good and it improve hair growth and also darkens hairs.
Massage with castor oil also good and nothing to wrry about sticky part of it, it will easily go away.
Benefits to To be Mom:
Castor oil is given to the mother (to be) before due date since castor oil moves out the total waste from the body by passing motion and it is easy for the Mom to push and deliver via normal. If you use castor oil before due date then doctor need not try any means to send poop out first for normal delivery.
Consuming castor oil throughout pregenancy is not recommend as it may lead to early labour. So only suggestion is to check with your gynocologist and take the castor oil when you are nearing to your due date.
Overall benefits
Healthy skin
Natural moisturizer
Healthy scalp and hairs
Anti inflammatory
Anti fungal
Reduce Acne
If you haven't used it so far please use it for you or little one.it is one hundred percent safe and healthy.
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Anu Sharma has added a new answer
Expecting Father due in 3 months
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Q. My wife taking tablets for UTI it caused fever last week she took paracetamol and Pan D in IV and now for the past 5 days taking Nitrofurantoin tablet IP I have two questio
1) Will this tablets and IV affect my baby in any way and it's growth inside
2) She says still feeling some pain groin and abdomen area comparatively lesser than previous days
3) Any diets to avoid this UTI in future
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A. UTI infection is common in pregnecy. Better to consult gyne
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Q. Hii...., Is it safe to eat jackfruit in 4th month of pregnancy, daily 2 ...
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Q. is that positive result??? my Due date is tommoro I am having vomitting and nausea and back pain etc please reply asap
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Q. Hi I'm in 23weeks pregnancy
my afi is 26 I have no diabetes or any other issues
is that risky ? what to do for making normal delivery possible
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A. yes AFI level is very high and yes you need to be very careful to have regular follow up with your doctor take the precautions advised by your doctor and regularly keep a watch on baby movements
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