The Importance Of Transvaginal Ultrasound In Pregnancy

The importance of transvaginal ultrasound in pregnancy

Transvaginal ultrasound is a diagnostic technique that is performed in the first trimester of pregnancy between week number 11 and number 13, which allows the constant visualization of embryonic structures, thereby assessing fetal malformations early and performing growth and monitoring the growthfetal, therefore a fundamental tool during the control and monitoring of pregnancy.

The technical advantages of transvaginal ultrasound are basically due to the use of high frequency crystals with which the resolution is significantly improved and the anatomical structures of the embryo can be clearly observed, being also used for the evaluation of the uterine scar left after aCaesarean section. During the first period of pregnancy, its realization is of great relevance since it values and locates the amount of gestational sacks.

It is undoubtedly an essential instrument for obstetric patients since with it you can know the size of the gestational sack, its uterine position, carry out a monitoring of pregnancy, of the state of health of the fetus and of the possible obstetric complications that can beintroduce. Considering the above, it would be necessary to rethink, if there are really complications during the course of pregnancy following the realization of a transvaginal ultrasound.

This ultrasound has generated great controversy since its inception given the existence of different opinions or points of view ranging from support to its use, going through those who have their reservation, to those who claim that it is harmful to the fetus.

Transvaginal ultrasound is used to detect changes in the appearance and function of the organs and tissues of the woman’s pelvic area, knowing that the tissues absorb sound waves and these in turn become thermal energy, when an acoustic wave clashes againstAn object bounces or echoes that when measuring the waves allows to determine the distance at which the object is located as well as its shape, size, consistency and uniformity, we must take into account that the principle consists of using energy densities as low asReasonably, it is possible, to achieve useful data and images to reach the diagnosis, where professionals must follow guides of the obstetric ultrasound use, to prevent indiscriminate exposure of sound waves on the mother or fetus.

Ultrasound exams do not use X -rays, image capture is done in real time and helps us visualize the structure and movement of the internal organs of the body are clinical tests that help assess and diagnosis during pregnancy.

For its realization, a small transducer is used that is controlled by the hand of a professional with which high frequency sound waves are emitted to the pelvic area, these sound waves collide and bounce against the different tissues of the body and are collected again by the transducerthat pass to a computer transforms the sound waves into image3 This method affects a form of acoustic energy to the fetus that has no radiation.

Within the advantages of transvaginal ultrasound are those such as obtaining a better image of the retrieved uterus, better assessment of endometrial echoes, more defined images of ovaries, follicles, luteum body and the aspiration of follicles.

To carry out this ultrasound, it is necessaryThat a gynecological position must adopt, after that the person in charge will place a tube covers in the transducer and apply a gel to facilitate the passage of the waves, at the time of introducing the transducer into the vagina it is important to communicate to the patient to berelax. This procedure is not painful, but it can be uncomfortable for some women, especially if at the time the patient is nervous and tense the sub pelvic muscles.

Frequently, this type of ultrasound is done in women not only that they are pregnant, but also present symptomatology associated with metorria or vaginal bleeding, ectopic pregnancy and pelvic pain, it is an innocuous technique for the two patients, both the mother and for theFetus that provides valuable information or for precise investigations of the uterus, ovaries or fallopian tubes (normal and abnormal), diagnostic support and infertility management or early detection of ovarian and endometrium cancer.

Transvaginal ultrasound is a transcendental exam, which allows you to verify, the cervical tubes, the pelvic area, the state of the uterus, the place of the implementation of the ovular chamber or fertilization, its morphology and size in addition to detecting malformations of the central nervous system throughout the pregnancy, diagnose previous placenta and acreta placenta and conduct studies of the flow of blood vessels and the heart of the fetus, it is an essential tool for the monitoring of pregnancy that according to the WHO “is nine months during which The fetus develops in the woman’s uterus ”6, which allows to know the frequency of the heart rate and the state of complete well -being in which the fetus is located, in it the flow rate measurement is used with which the age is determined Gestational of the fetus, where any distortion that can be presented in this image could be an alert and would represent the beginning of a possible pathology.

You can also find sequelae, pathological associated with the loss of pregnancy such as anembritioned pregnancy where the gestational sack develops but without the presence of embryo7, abortion defined by WHO “such as the interruption of pregnancy when the fetus is not yet viable outside theMaternal belly ”, ectopic pregnancy where the fertilized ovum is housed in the fallopian tubes and does not reach the uterus and gestational trophoblastic pathology complete, incomplete or choriocarcinoma8.

As contraindications of this procedure, those women who have an imperforated hymen can be found, those who refuse to carry out the procedure or those that have a high probability of acquiring infections due to premature membranes breakage3.

Health professionals must take into account the knowledge, recommendations and guides on the use and procedure of ultrasound to prevent harmful exposure on the mother or fetus.

Among the written contributions that show different points of view on the ultra obstetric sound is that several Cuban authors do not mention contraindications or adverse effects of ultrasound on tissues4, however Oliva Rodríguez states that ‘as a general principle, the ultrasonographic examination of the fetusIt should only be done when there is a valid medical reason ”, however, other authors such as Ijaiya consider that ultrasound is a safe tool that has no adverse effects known so far for the mother or for the fetus, on the contrary" Duck emphasizesin which although the risks related to obstetric ultrasound are low are always present ”.

Although obstetric ultrasound has gained broad reputation in terms of its safety, the possibility of biological adverse effects on tissues cannot be ruled out;Particularly, in dynamic images at early gestational ages, when the fetus is more vulnerable and the acoustic output of the equipment can be increased.

This technique has been used to assess the course of pregnancy for almost 55 years, in which there are no studies or tests that reveal damage to the patient or fetus, however, only under medical indication must be performed66.

However, the main problem and for which many gynecologists do it indifferently is because its safety has not been proven to the fetus and have naturally done its existence to consider that they carry out good prenatal control. For this reason we have to inform ourselves better on the subject, in order to be prepared to give a good orientation of said procedure to those responsible for the health who need it, to the pregnant woman and to her spouse6.

To conclude the aforementioned, it can be said that obstetric ultrasound or transvaginal ultrasound is a diagnostic tool until today safe for both the mother and the fetus, however it is noteworthy that indiscriminate use of saidMethod by any professional, being always necessary a justification of the study to be carried out, in addition to this, it should be considered that in the face of comments that tend to judge their use there are still no studies or publications that support these positions thereforeIt is necessary to adequately inform society and mainly obstetric patients.