Maternal Fetal Ultrasound FAQs:
Why come to Maternal Fetal Ultrasound at Charter Medical for your pregnancy ultrasounds?
Fetal medical opinion is a core part of understanding how your baby is developing and ensuring that any potential issues which may arise during your scan can be dealt with appropriately. The level of expertise required to provide high quality fetal medical opinion is directly affected by the skills and training of the Obstetric Sonographer who requires specialist training to be able to capture the highest quality images and the support of Consultant Obstetricians who have direct specialist training and accreditation in Fetal medicine.
Thankfully the vast majority of mothers attending for ultrasound scanning will experience the joy of a completely normal pregnancy. However a small minority of women do experience complications during their pregnancy which may require specialist medical support.
Because of pressures on the public healthcare system some patients may feel that they would like to access additional medical ultrasound scanning during their pregnancy which may not be easily available. Also many people access community ultrasound services during pregnancy which are of a non-medical nature. Both Charter and the Irish Maternal Fetal Foundation believe when patients undergo maternal ultrasound scanning they should be able to avail of the support of highly accredited specialists in the field of Fetal medicine.
Although traditionally this service has of necessity only been available on hospital sites, specialist Fetal Ultrasound is moving to the community to allow patients access the quality and convenience of community diagnostic centre’s dedicated to a specific group of patients.
Charter Medical Group are experts in providing specialist medical services in the community and through our close liaison with family doctors they offer both GP’s and their patients advanced community based diagnostics for a wide range of medical conditions.
What is Obstetrical Ultrasound Imaging?
Ultrasound imaging involves exposing part of the body to high-frequency sound waves to produce pictures of the inside of the body. Ultrasound exams do not use ionizing radiation (as used in x-rays). Because ultrasound images are captured in real-time, they can show the structure and movement of the body's internal organs, as well as blood flowing through blood vessels.
Obstetrical ultrasound provides pictures of an embryo or fetus within a woman's uterus.
A Doppler ultrasound study may be part of an obstetrical ultrasound examination.
During an obstetrical ultrasound the examiner may evaluate blood flow in the umbilical cord or may in some cases assess blood flow in the fetus or placenta.
When reviewed by experienced Fetal Medicine clinicians these images offer insights into a baby’s development in the womb and signals as to the progress of the pregnancy and the normal development of your baby.
What are some common uses of the procedure?
Obstetrical ultrasound is a useful clinical test to:
- establish the presence of a living embryo/fetus
- estimate the age of the pregnancy
- diagnose congenital abnormalities of the fetus
- evaluate the position of the fetus
- evaluate the position of the placenta
- determine if there are multiple pregnancies
- determine the amount of amniotic fluid around the baby
- check for opening or shortening of the cervix or mouth of the womb
- assess fetal growth
- assess fetal well-being
How should I prepare?
You should wear a loose-fitting, two-piece outfit for the examination. Only the lower abdominal area needs to be exposed during this procedure.
If an ultrasound is ordered by your clinician early in your pregnancy, you may be instructed to have a full bladder for the procedure. Air interferes with sound waves, so if your bladder is distended, the air-filled bowel is pushed out of the way by the bladder and an image of the uterus and embryo or fetus is obtained.
About an hour before the procedure you should empty your bladder. You may be instructed to drink up to six glasses of water and avoid urinating until the procedure is completed. After the first two to three months of pregnancy, a full bladder is not usually necessary for imaging.
In Charter’s ultrasound suites we offer changing facilities and complete privacy where you will be attended to in a tranquil atmosphere to allow you enjoy the experience of visualising your growing baby.
What / When is a Transvaginal Ultrasound required?
If adequate views of the pregnancy cannot be obtained, then a Transvaginal scan will usually be performed to get a more detailed view of the inside of the uterus. This is a simple procedure, in which a thin ultrasound probe with a sterile cover is inserted into the vagina to provide detailed pictures of the inside of the uterus.
How long does my appointment last?
Allow 20 to 30 minutes for your scan however this is largely dependent on the position of the fetus at the time of your scan.
Who performs and reports the scan?
All our scans are performed by our experienced Obstetric Sonographers who are appropriately qualified and expert to achieve the highest quality images of your baby.
Our scanning is performed on the very newest and most sophisticated ultrasound scanning equipment so we can assess your baby comprehensively and provide accurate measurements of your baby’s growth and images of its development.
Our ultrasound scans are reported by our Fetal Medical Consultants Professor Fergal Malone and Professor Sean Daly. Blood samples are taken by our clinical staff and the results of blood tests for Nuchal assessment is performed and reported by the Irish Maternal Fetal Foundation in Sandyford.
What are the limitations of Obstetric Ultrasound?
Obstetric Ultrasound cannot identify all fetal abnormalities. Consequently, when there are clinical suspicions for a possible abnormality a pregnant woman may have to undergo invasive tests such as an amniocentesis ( evaluation of fluid taken from the sac surrounding the baby ) or chorionic villus sampling ( evaluation of placental tissue ) to determine the health of the baby. If this is required our reports will be sent to your Consultant Obstetrician and your GP who can discuss these tests with you.
How safe is Ultrasound for my baby?
Diagnostic Ultrasound studies of the fetus are generally considered safe during pregnancy.
How do I get the results?
All reports will be sent to you and your GP within 48 hours of having your Ultrasound performed. Should we identify any issues we believe require further investigation our clinical staff with liaise with your family doctor or Obstetrician as required to ensure you are referred appropriately to access such assistance.
Will I be able to find out the sex of my baby?
Determining your baby’s gender is dependent on the position of the baby at the time of your Ultrasound. We perform gender scanning as part of our fetal anomaly and gender scan and review your baby’s anatomy as part of this scan. You can elect to be told the gender of your baby or alternatively if you wish you can choose to keep this is a surprise for the day of birth.
Do I have to undertake all my scans in Charter?
Charter Medical Group support doctors and patients by offering a service that is appropriate for you. You can avail of any single scan or a wider range according to your needs. Your family doctor and obstetrician can advise you best, however if you wish to discuss your scanning options with our sonographers and clinical staff they can advise you of the scanning regime that works for you.
How closely must I adhere to your timelines for scanning?
Not all pregnancies are the same and our scanning timelines are recommended on the basis of optimal results in the majority of patients. Whilst we understand people’s schedules may present problems on occasion, we recommend you seek the appropriate scans during our recommended timelines.
Will my insurer cover the costs of my scans?
At present there is no direct settlement agreement with health insurers for fetal ultrasound scans. Our scan prices are designed to be highly affordable and of the highest quality.
Unlike some community centres offering maternal ultrasound our medical scans are reported by Fetal Medicine Consultants who are trained and accredited in fetal medicine.
They are they best people to support the quality of the ultrasound report which goes to you and your doctor.
Charter’s ultrasound scans qualify for income tax relief under the provisions of the tax code and you can claim tax relief on these and other medical expenses in your annual tax return subject to the provisions which apply to you. Charter is happy to provide you with a tax reclaim (MED 1) form and to advise you on how to make such a claim.
How much does it cost?
Our scan prices vary from €125 to €250 depending on the scan required.
Further information can be obtained by ringing (01) 6579000 and asking to speak with Diagnostic Department.
Where I can find out more information ?
The best people to advise you on issues affecting you and your pregnancy is your family doctor and your Obstetrician. At Charter we work in support of your medical team so that we can provide you and them with a convenient, professional and competent service.
