One of the first feelings a woman experiences when she finds out she is pregnant is happiness. In fact, the joy usually extends and takes care of the whole family! Several plans are being made, such as choosing the name of the child to come, who will be the godparents, what will be her room, etc.
A few days later, it is normal for joy to begin to mingle with a little worry: "Is everything okay with my baby?", "Is it developing normally inside my belly?" These are common doubts and have their positive side: they warn the mother about the need to make regular visits to her gynecologist / obstetrician and to follow at home all the recommendations given by him to ensure a successful pregnancy.
What is morphological ultrasound
To satisfy this expectation of the future mother and to assess if the baby is developing well inside the belly, there are some important tests that need to be done. Morphological ultrasound is one of these.
Sang Choon Cha, vice president of the Brazilian Society of Ultrasonography, professor at USP School of Medicine and director of Embryo Fetus, explains that morphological ultrasound is a fetal ultrasound examination, whose main objective is to evaluate fetal morphology. . "Considering that about 3% of newborns have structural anomalies and can affect the pregnant woman, morphological ultrasound is indicated for all pregnant women," he says.
According to the professional, the exam allows to diagnose about 90% of fetal anomalies. • Chromosomal diseases, such as Down syndrome, may be suspected. Once fetal abnormalities are diagnosed, treatment is often possible in the intrauterine life or soon after the birth of the baby ?, says Sang Cha.
When should it be performed?
Ideally, two morphological tests should be performed during pregnancy. • In the first trimester: between 12 and 14 weeks of gestation, when it is possible to check for important anomalies such as anencephaly, related twins, cardiac extrophy, finally, severe anomalies. In this exam, is also evaluated the nuchal translucency, nasal bone and venous duct Doppler? that allow you to assess the risk for chromosomal diseases such as Down's syndrome? explains professional Sang Cha. • In the second trimester: between 20 and 24 weeks. This is the most complete exam when the entire anatomy can be evaluated. About 90% of malformations can be diagnosed at this stage. The importance of establishing an early diagnosis of fetal abnormalities is the possibility of allowing intrauterine treatment in life or preparing the couple to receive babies with anomaly ?, he adds.
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The professional explains that the exam is done by ultrasound, "and in order for the exam to be as accurate as possible, it is necessary to associate a good ultrasound equipment with a trained professional," says Sang Choon Cha. And the exam takes about 45 minutes.
Cost of morphological ultrasound
According to Sang Cha, most agreements currently cover the cost of this ultrasound. In private clinics the exam costs about 600 reais.
How to prepare for the exam?
There is no need for any special preparation. "It is only interesting that the pregnant woman is accompanied by her husband or family, because, due to any change in the examination, the support of family members makes a lot of difference," says the doctor.
"But in general, the vast majority of the time, the exam is very important for the integration of the family, with the visualization of the baby who is coming", concludes Sang Cha.
Strictly following all your doctor's recommendations and being aware of the necessary tests are key steps to ensure that your pregnancy and birth occur as well as possible. Plus, all the extra exams and care are reminders of a very special phase in the life of the woman and the whole family!
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