Colour Doppler Ultrasound in Pregnancy

What is a Colour Doppler Ultrasound?

Colour Doppler Ultrasound in Pregnancy is a diagnostic imaging tool used to visualize the circulation of blood inside the arteries and veins. This technique is commonly used by gynecologists to track the baby’s blood flow, placenta, and uterus. The color doppler ultrasound is a safe and non-invasive technique and a gold standard for pregnant women to track the growth status of the baby. Doctors recommend the Colour doppler ultrasound twice as a routine checkup in pregnancy and/ or whenever there are circulation problem suspects. 

Other names of Colour doppler ultrasound are:

1. 1. Doppler pregnancy ultrasound
2. 2. Foetal Doppler
3. 3. USG Color doppler pregnancy.
4.  

Why did the doctor ask for a Color Doppler ultrasound during pregnancy?

The doctor or gynecologist will ask the pregnant woman to undergo a Color Doppler ultrasound whenever he/ she observes the following risk factors-

1. 1. Intrauterine- growth retraction of the fetus (baby in the womb)
2. 2. Heart abnormalities
3. 3. In routine checkups, a doppler ultrasound is used to track the stage-wise growth of the baby. 
4. 4. To check the pulmonary system functions
5. 5. Placenta accreta
6. 6. Suspected obstruction or any blockage in blood flow
7. 7. Suspected tumor in the circulation system.
8.  

When the doctor suspects risks of growth retraction in the fetus, around the 38th week of pregnancy, the doctor will recommend a color doppler ultrasound to the pregnant woman.

Placenta accreta– It is a serious medical condition in which there is a very tight connection between the baby and the uterus such that even after delivery, it is not able to detach properly, and so some of the parts remain in the uterus. In order to remove the remaining parts of the fetus from the womb, doctors use color doppler ultrasound to scrape out the remaining parts.

How much time will it take to complete a color doppler ultrasound?

The procedure for a color doppler ultrasound usually takes around 45 minutes. It can take more than 45 minutes, so you must come prepared for this day beforehand. 

What will happen during a color doppler ultrasound?

Before the procedure starts: 

• 1. A laboratory person will ask you to wear a hospital gown before lying on the hospital bed.
• 2. Ultrasound gel is applied on the belly, especially towards the placental region that is to be scanned. This gel helps the probe to secure complete contact with the body and smooth gliding. It helps in superior image ultrasound results.
• 3. The Laboratory operator will handle the color doppler ultrasound probe and press it slightly over the area that needs to be examined. 
• 4. The color doppler ultrasound transducer sends ultrasonic sound wave signals toward the fetus that are reflected back, and the received signals are transduced and analyzed by the analyzer.
• 5. These signals are then moved to the computer station to get the graphics of blood circulation pathways. This color doppler ultrasound graphic representation also helps doctors to track the blood movements or clotting or tumors of the fetus. 
•  

Frequently asked questions

Q.1 What is Colour doppler ultrasound?

Colour doppler ultrasound is a diagnostic imaging tool used to visualise the circulation of blood inside the arteries and veins. This technique is commonly used by gynaecologists to track the blood flow of the baby, placenta and uterus. The doppler ultrasound is a safe and non-invasive technique and a gold standard for pregnant women, twice as a routine checkup of the pregnancy and  or whenever there are circulation problem suspects. 

Q.2 What are the other names of color doppler ultrasound:

Other names of Colour doppler ultrasound are:

1. 1. Doppler pregnancy ultrasound
2. 2. Foetal doppler
3. 3. USG Color doppler pregnancy.
4.  

Q.3 Why did the doctor ask for a Color Doppler ultrasound in pregnancy?

Gynecologist will ask the pregnant women to undergo Color Doppler ultrasound, whenever he/ she observes the following risk factors-

1. 1. Intrauterine- growth retraction of foetus (baby in womb)
2. 2. Heart abnormalities
3. 3. In routine checkup doppler ultrasound is used to track the stage wise growth of the baby. 
4. 4. To check the pulmonary system functions
5. 5. Placenta accreta
6. 7. Suspected obstruction or any blockage in blood flow
7. 8. Suspected tumour in circulation system.
8.  

Q.4. What is the foetal growth retraction?

When the doctor suspects risks of growth retraction in the foetus, in around 38th week of pregnancy, the doctor will recommend colour doppler ultrasound to the pregnant women.

Q.5. What is placenta accreta?

Placenta accreta– It is a serious medical condition in which there is a very tight connection between the baby and the uterus such that even after delivery it is not able to detach properly and so some of the parts remain in the uterus. In order to remove the remaining parts of the foetus from the womb, doctors use color doppler ultrasound to scrape out the remaining parts.

Q.6 How much time will it take to complete a color doppler ultrasound?

The procedure for a colour doppler ultrasound usually take around 45 minutes. It can take more than 45 minutes, so you must come prepared for this day beforehand. 

Q.7 What will happen during colour doppler ultrasound?

1. 1. Before the colour doppler ultrasound procedure starts: 
   1. A. Laboratory person will ask you to wear a hospital gown before laying on the hospital bed.
2. 2. During the colour doppler ultrasound procedure:
   1. A. Ultrasound gel is applied on the belly especially towards the placental region that is to be scanned. This gel helps the probe to secure complete contact with the body and smooth gliding. IT helps in superior image ultrasound results.
   2. BLaboratory operator will handle the colour doppler ultrasound probe and press it slightly over the area that needs to be examined. 
   3. C. The  colour doppler ultrasound transducer sends ultrasonic sound wave signals towards the foetus that are reflected back and the  received signals are transduced and analysed by the analyzer.
3. 3. After the colour doppler ultrasound: 
   1. A. These signals are then moved to the computer station to get the graphics of blood circulation pathways. This colour doppler ultrasound graphic representation also helps doctors to track the blood movements or clotting or tumours of the foetus. 
   2. B. Radiologists interpret the results of colour doppler ultrasound into readable reports. These reports are sent to the doctor for evaluation and treatments.
   3.  

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