The Need For Diagnostic Ultrasound
Date: April 13, 2018
It was estimated by the journal of Obstetrics and gynecology that in the year 1990, there was over 50 percent of pregnant women had undergone diagnostic ultrasounds. But the New England Journal of Medicine sustains that appreciatively 80 percent of pregnant women aren’t presenting any risks in their pregnancy, which means that they do not need any diagnostic ultrasound. It is also good to mention that the costs of ultrasounds are about $1 Billion per year.
If your doctor tells you that you need a diagnostic ultrasound, you should first inform the procedure, any risks included, and the test’s potential benefits. Furthermore, consider that you have to know before the procedure begins if the diagnostic ultrasound will affect the care that you would otherwise receive and how.
Moreover, you have to know if you really need the test or not, even though it may not affect your care. After being informed of all the diagnostic ultrasound aspects, including the test’s need, the risks, and benefits, you may sign or not consent to the procedure.
Nowadays, ultrasounds are being used as a standard procedure for every pregnant woman. Common ultrasounds include diagnosing and detecting uterine pregnancy, noting pelvic inflammatory disease, cysts, tumors uterine cancer. Comparing the fetal age and weight through ultrasounds, note the placenta’s placement and the amniotic fluid amount present.
Even more, ultrasounds can diagnose certain congenital disabilities, such as neural tube defects. During amniocentesis, they are used to verify the baby’s position, so placing the needle can be done properly.
