OT: Ultrasound Question

[Amirah95]

I'm scheduled for a leve 2 ultrasound this month and I want to know what to expect. What is going to happen? What does the technician look for? Etc.

I never had this type of U/S before with my 1st child because I was a lot younger and healthier then. Since I'm older and not healthy as I once was I have to see a Maternal Fetal Specialist. I've only had one other visit with this person before and that time I was nervous and I am nervous about the upcoming one.

What was your experience?

 

[Kimkimba]

It's a more detailed ultrasound. They take measurements of everything and can look at the important organs in detail.

I was almost 41 when I had my youngest dd earlier this year, and opted out of the amnio, nuchal transparency/fold test, and quad screen.

Before the ultrasound, they gave me about a 1 in 40 chance of having a baby with Down Syndrome. With everything measuring correctly, they gave me about a 1 in 80 chance.

She was born healthy. Before this, I had my last dd at age 37 and wasn't near as worried. Something about that 40 year old mark, and the doctors make you feel ancient.

 

[TravelinGal]

As far as the physical experience, it's no different than any other external u/s.

It can, in essence, look at your baby layer by layer - kind of like the multiple images you might have seen of a brain scan.

It's one way to be pretty darn sure that the gender is correct too - so if you don't want to know the gender, do NOT look when they are measuring the leg bones!!! It's pretty clear! The tech that was doing mine didn't say anything, but I saw my SON plain and clear. If I hadn't wanted to know, I would have been upset that she didn't suggest that I look away.

The images are like the standard images too - not 3D like some tend to believe.

 

[NU2WDW]

It depends on how far along you are as to what they look for. If you're at about the halfway point they will be measuring things like femur (leg) length, thickness on the neck (Downs indicator), head size, size of organs, looking at the digestive tract, things like that. Essentially they are looking to see if the baby is within the normal growth range and for any obvious abnormalities. They usually don't look for gender "on purpose" though it would be pretty obvious to a good tech at this stage, unless the baby is really modest! For you the procedure is the same, it just takes longer. You probably won't have to have a full bladder like at earlier ultrasounds since your uterus will be much more expanded.

 

[Princess Roo]

I think almost everyone in the US gets a level 2 ultrasound "these days", regardless of risk. Most insurance companies cover this one ultrasound, even if no other. It is generally done between 20 and 23 weeks, because of the measurements they need to take to check development, but it's also the perfect time to find out the sex of the baby if you want to! (Can't wait - mine's in 2 weeks!!!)
They are looking at all sorts of stuff. For example, last time at this ultrasound they were able to tell that I had partial placenta previa, so they told me what to be watching for for complications from that.
Seems like the actual ultrasound was around 15-20 minutes last time. I know it depends somewhat on how the baby "behaves" to let them get the various angles they need. It's a really neat experience...my husband loved getting to see the baby, too.

It is possible that yours will be 3D if you are seeing a specialist, but I'm not sure. My friend that had twins had a 3D at this point.

 

[MindyLuvsMickey]

It should be no different for you at all. Just different technology

I had 7 total ultrasouds with DS, three of which were Level II. My first was at 20 weeks, another at 30 weeks and the last being the day before I delivered at 40 weeks. They were concerned about the size of the baby, so they were keeping a close eye on him. They didn't want me to deliver a toddler. He turned out to be only 9lbs, 12 oz.

Best Wishes!

 

[hebbynan]

I had one of these when I was pregnant with 2nd DS. Between my sons, I had a niece born with Hypo Plastic Left Heart Syndrome (in essence, she was missing half of her heart) and I was very worried about this pregnancy. The level 2 ultra sound was the neatest thing I ever saw!! They literally broke down every chamber of DS's heart. I could see everything working as it should be. It was such a relief to know that DS was going to be okay. Sadly, my niece never made it past 6 months. If only they would have scheduled one of these for my SIL, they would have known ahead of time and could have caught the problem earlier.

 

[Amirah95]

Thanks to all who responded! I'm not nervous about the U/S, I'm nervous about potential problems they may find. They may find nothing, but I am a worrier by nature. When I was pregnant with my daughter, almost 12.5 years ago, I didn't go through any of what I'm going through now so it's all new to me. I think I only had two U/S with her. It's like I'm becoming a mother all over again. Thanks again!

 

[blessedby3]

I had one of these done with this pregnancy too. I opted not to do the amnio and the blood test that goes along with this ultrasound. I am 40 and they said they usually do this ultrasound starting at 35. We did find out the sex (girl) and they said that everything looked good. The measurement on the baby's neck was not indicitive of Downs, but nothing is 100%.

 

[disney_family_1247]

I had one with my first pg, and I was only 25 at the time. Some test results had them worried about Down Syndrome, so we had to see a specialist. She offerred an amnio, but we declined. The level 2 ultrasound was just like a regular one, but more detailed on the screen. We saw inside the baby's heart and brain. It was actually very cool. She didn't have any syndromes or unusual conditions, and it was great that an ultrasound could show us that without an amnio.

Good luck with the rest of your pg!

 

[HamTown]

They will also check blood flow in the cord. My DD1 only had one artery in the cord (should have 2) so we had to do a 2nd US and then have non-stress tests (total oxymoron) for the last 8 weeks of the pregnancy. She was totally fine. With DS we had just a regular US, DD1 had the level 2 (in color!) and with DD2 we had a 3D image. We were told the last time that they do the 3D for everyone, but only bill for it if it shows a problem so that insurance will pick up the tab.

 

[NotUrsula]

If you are having it 1st trimester as part of an ultrascreen, they are primarily going to be looking for trisomy markers. The major ones are the thickness of the nuchal fold at the back of the neck, and the length of the nasal bone. Those measurements, together with the result of certain blood screening, will give you a more accurate probability of the chance for a trisomy or Turner's.
Remember that if you want an actual yes or no answer re: genetic anomalies, the only prenatal tests that will provide that are a CVS or an amnio.

If you are having the scan at 20 weeks or later, they will be looking at the above, and also at all major organs and the skeletal system for malformations, and for spina bifida.

The only real difference you as a layman will notice is how long it takes; usually at least 30 minutes, and sometimes as long as 90 if there is reason to believe that there is a high likelihood of the presence of a particular problem that needs to be carefully checked for.