Ultrasound examination during pregnancy allows you to determine whether the baby is developing correctly in the womb, what gender it is, and with the help of modern diagnostic devices, you can even see how he smiles or frowns. In addition, with the help of an ultrasound scanner, you can find out the estimated weight of the child.
It is necessary
Ultrasound examination protocol
Instructions
Step 1
The main ultrasound protocol includes a study of the position and presentation of the fetus, heart rate, localization of the placenta, umbilical cord, internal organs, and possible malformations. Measurements are taken of the head, abdomen, chest, bones, heart, brain, and then the data is checked for compliance with the gestational age.
Step 2
The child's body weight is not a mandatory diagnostic parameter, but, as a rule, the doctor calculates it and records it in the protocol. This indicator is important when deciding on the management of childbirth. In particular, if a woman has a narrow pelvis, and the baby is large, perhaps this fact will be regarded as an indication for a cesarean section.
Step 3
The software of ultrasound scanners contains various formulas for calculating the estimated weight of the fetus (Hadlock, Merz, Shepard, Warsof, etc.), so it is not difficult for a diagnostician to calculate it. But if the doctor has not determined the child's body weight, you can do it yourself.
Step 4
Depending on the formula chosen, you will need the following measurements, which are necessarily carried out on every study during pregnancy: - biparietal head size (BPD - Biparietal Diameter); - head circumference (HC - Head Circumference); - abdominal circumference (AC - Abdominal Circumference); - the length of the femur (FL - Femur Length).
Step 5
Calculate the baby's weight using any of the following formulas: - Hadlock: log (10) W = 1.3596 + 0.0064 (HC) +0.0424 (AC) +0.174 (FL) +0.00061 (BPD) (AC) -0, 00386 (AC) (FL); - Merz: W = 0, 1 (AC ^ 3) or W = -3200, 40479 + 157, 07186 (AC) +15, 90391 (BPD ^ 2); - Shepard: log (10) W = -1.7492 + 0.16 (BPD) +0.046 (AC) - (2.646 (AC + BPD)) / 1000; - Warsof: log (10) W = - 1, 599 + 0, 144 (BPD) +0, 032 (AC) -0, 111 (BPD ^ 2 (AC)) / 1000 Legend: ^ - degree; log (10) - logarithm; W - Weight - weight.
Step 6
Keep in mind that any method for calculating the estimated fetal body weight has a certain margin of error. The Hadlock and Shepard formulas are considered the most accurate, although they also allow deviations within 200-300 grams.
