Part of what we provide at HELP Pregnancy Aid is free ultrasounds to expectant mothers. Usually, these ultrasounds are conducted within the first couple of weeks after conception and once pregnancy is confirmed. But why do we care so much about making sure women get ultrasounds?
There are 3 main things we are looking for at that early ultrasound appointment: gestational age, viability, and location.
- Gestational age: it is extremely helpful to both the medical professional and the woman to get a due date on the calendar and learn the age of the fetus. It will help doctors to determine if the pregnancy is advancing and maturing at the rate it is supposed to be, and help create a game plan for labor and delivery.
- Viability: with an ultrasound, we can sometimes detect problems with the fetus early on. The earlier an issue is found, the more time the parents and doctors have to prepare a plan of action. Additionally, at an ultrasound appointment, we get to see the heartbeat, which can also help us determine if there is something wrong with the fetus.
- Location: although the risk for an ectopic pregnancy is extremely low, it is still imperative that we check the location of the fetus to confirm it is growing in the uterus. If not, an ectopic pregnancy has occurred, and a plan is needed in order to figure out what is best for the woman and her pregnancy.
Of course, ultrasounds are helpful from a medical standpoint, but they are also helpful for the woman’s mental health. In fact, pregnancy ultrasounds have been proven to
- Increase the patient-doctor relationship
- Reduce maternal anxiety
- Reduce postpartum stress
- Humanize the fetus to the parents
- Provide a sense of achieving milestones and completion
- Help the mother bond with the growing fetus
Ultrasounds can give a woman a glimpse into what is happening beneath the surface. While she can only see that her stomach is growing, an ultrasound gives her the opportunity to get the full picture. Your donations help us provide free ultrasounds to pregnant women. Without you, our center would be missing a key component of prenatal care. We thank you for your continued support of our mission.
https://acertaralabs.com/the-emotional-and-psychological-impact-of-ultrasound-on-patients
https://www.news-medical.net/news/20220901/Sonographers-can-help-enhance-parents-emotional-connection-to-the-unborn-baby-during-pregnancy.aspx
