Why USG Dating Scan is Important
The USG Dating Scan provides reassurance to parents and important clinical data to obstetricians. Accurate pregnancy dating helps in scheduling future tests, managing pregnancy milestones, and detecting potential complications early.
Key reasons why a USG Dating Scan is performed:
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Confirms a viable pregnancy through heartbeat visualization
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Detects multiple pregnancies (twins or triplets)
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Determines the baby’s growth compared to gestational age
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Detects early pregnancy abnormalities like ectopic pregnancy or miscarriage
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Helps calculate a precise due date for delivery
Relying solely on menstrual dates can be inaccurate, especially in women with irregular cycles. Hence, the USG Dating Scan serves as the most reliable tool for early pregnancy assessment.
Benefits of USG Dating Scan
A USG Dating Scan offers several clinical and emotional benefits. It improves pregnancy care planning and helps expectant parents bond with their baby even at an early stage.
Major benefits include:
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Early detection of complications
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Reliable estimation of delivery date
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Reduced anxiety through visual confirmation of the baby’s heartbeat
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Guidance for medical decisions and subsequent imaging schedules
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Establishes baseline data for tracking fetal growth throughout pregnancy
Moreover, this scan is safe and painless, as it uses ultrasound sound waves instead of radiation. It is widely recommended by gynecologists as the first key step in prenatal diagnosis.
Procedure and Parameters of the Test
The USG Dating Scan can be performed either transabdominally or transvaginally, depending on the stage of pregnancy and image clarity required. It's generally done with the patient lying comfortably, and ultrasound gel is applied to improve sound wave transmission.
Steps involved in the test:
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The pregnant person is asked to have a full bladder for better visualization during a transabdominal scan.
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The ultrasound probe gently moves over the abdomen (or inserted in the case of a transvaginal scan).
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The machine captures images of the uterus, embryo, and cardiac activity.
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The sonologist measures the CRL (Crown-Rump Length) — the length from head to bottom — which is the most accurate parameter to determine gestational age.
Parameters assessed during USG Dating Scan:
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Crown-Rump Length (CRL)
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Gestational Sac Diameter
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Fetal Heart Rate
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Presence of yolk sac and embryo
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Uterine and ovarian status
A report with the estimated due date, gestational age, and key findings is shared immediately after the scan.
When and Where to Get a USG Dating Scan
The optimal time for a USG Dating Scan is between 6 to 11 weeks of pregnancy. It should be done at a trusted diagnostic center or ultrasound clinic in Karad under the supervision of a qualified radiologist.
Modern imaging centers in Karad offer high-resolution ultrasound machines that ensure accurate and detailed imaging with minimal discomfort.