Ultrasound Scans

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

I had an ultrasound scan at the department of Obstetric Ultrasonography and I was given pictures of the baby, but my friend’s baby’s pictures are clearer. Why is that?

The quality of the ultrasound image that is its clarity depends on many factors. Such are:

• Maternal weight (the more subcutaneous fat there is the greater the distance between the ultrasonographic head and the fetus is in which case the picture becomes less clear).
• Modern equipment have special programmes for such cases, but again the picture is not ideal.
• The presence of scars from previous abdominal surgery (scar tissue does not allow the ultrasound beam to cross it)
• The position of the fetus (sometimes the fetus happens to sit in such an unfavorable position in order for his/her face to be seen and give you a nice picture).

I have an appointment for a baby ultrasound scan. How long will it take? Can I be late?

During the detailed ultrasound scans of the baby (such as the nuchal translucency ultrasound and the B-level ultrasound) the doctor needs to check all the organs and to do so he/she needs to see specific ultrasound images taken at specific locations of the baby. As you understand this takes time and is not always possible to complete within the time constraints of your appointment. The doctor who examines you can ask you to walk or eat something sweet to help the baby change position. Additionally sometimes a problem can be diagnosed concerning the baby and in such a case the doctor may need to devote more time.

So when you come for an ultrasound examination it is advisable to be prepared that you may have to wait. Be assured however that the doctor who will examine you will devote to your baby as much time is needed.

I want to have a three-dimensional ultrasound scan to take pictures of the baby. When should I do that?

The three-dimensional ultrasound scan can be performed if the baby is well positioned as to give us really nice photos. The best time is between 24-30 weeks because the baby during this period of time has not slided downwardly yet and is not embedded in the pelvis.

Whether we manage to get nice pictures of the baby depends mainly on the fetus’s position. For the taking of pictures to be good the baby needs to be facing towards the mother's abdomen and that enough amniotic fluid is in front of his/her face, which means that the placenta or hands are not in front of the baby’s face.

My doctor recommended to me to come to LETO Maternity Hospital to have some ultrasound scans. What is the reason for this to happen?

Some ultrasound scans in pregnancy are very important and very detailed, such as the nuchal translucency ultrasound, the B-level ultrasound and the Doppler ultrasound and require special expertise of the doctor who performs them.

The physicians of the department of Ultrasonography and Embryo-Maternal Medicine have this expertise and experience to address problems sometimes diagnosed.

Especially in the nuchal translucency ultrasound scan it should be emphasized that all the doctors of the department of obstetric ultrasonography at LETO Maternity Hospital have the required certification to measure the nuchal translucency and examine the nasal bone. The list of the Greek doctors certified to make these measurements is available on the website of the Fetal Medicine Foundation (http://www.fetalmedicine.com/)

Can the ultrasound scan show us if the baby is wrapped with the umbilical cord?

Yes, the umbilical cord can be seen ultrasonographically and sometimes it is actually wrapped around the baby, either around his/her body or around his/her neck. This is a very common finding seen in around one third of the embryos. It is not something that worries us because it usually does not creates any problems for the fetus.

The winding of the umbilical cord is not a consistent finding since the baby moves; therefore the baby can be wrapped and unwrapped several times.