What’s an umbilical artery Doppler?

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An umbilical artery Doppler is a medical ultrasound test used to examine the umbilical cord of a fetus. The procedure is able to measure the amount of resistance the fetal blood encounters as it crosses the placenta. This is an important measure for pregnancy well-being. A Doppler of the umbilical artery can also help identify causes of slow fetal growth. While the test has no treatment capabilities, it can answer questions that can then lead to an effective treatment plan.

The main purpose of an umbilical artery Doppler is to measure the resistance of fetal blood as it passes through the placenta. Very little resistance should be found in healthy pregnancies. When resistance is discovered, it can mean that placental abnormalities are occurring. Placenta problems can lead to reduced oxygenation for the fetus.

The Doppler method sends radar, sound, and light in high-frequency waves that bounce off tissues inside the body. The waves bounce or echo off the tissue and give back information about depth, dimension and structure, which in turn allows for an image of the tissue, in this case the umbilical cord. The speed and direction of the fetal blood can be visualized with this method.

The umbilical cords contain two arteries and one vein. Blood leaves the fetus and travels through arteries into the placenta. The force of blood flow indicates the force of the heartbeat of the fetus, as this is the force that drives the blood. The vein is used to return blood from the placenta to the fetus. Past medical research concludes that blood flow measurement can predict a high-risk fetus.

Identification of such fetuses requires early monitoring and treatment, reducing the risk of stillbirth and other complications. The accuracy of the information transmitted by umbilical artery Doppler imaging makes the method a preferred diagnostic tool in cases of suspected slow fetal growth. Due to the non-invasive nature of the procedure, it is considered a low-risk option in most pregnancies.

Preparing for an umbilical artery Doppler is simple. Patients lie on their backs on an examination table, and a technician places a gel-like substance on the skin over the uterus and uses a wand-like instrument to move back and forth over the skin. The gel helps to style the waves more easily. A monitor on the machine provides a view that the technician can use to guide the wand over the fetus to locate the umbilical cord. Once found, records of various information are taken.

Following an umbilical artery Doppler test, the patient can return to normal activities immediately, unless otherwise directed by the doctor. Results are usually available within a few days. The sex of the baby can often be determined during a Doppler ultrasound of the umbilical artery. Patients who want to know if their baby will be a boy or a girl can ask the technician to include this information in the report.

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