Fertility ultrasound (USG promil) is performed to assess the reproductive organ conditions before pregnancy. So, what does the ultrasound for the pregnancy program involve? Find out here.
Before getting pregnant, couples planning for pregnancy may undergo various types of ultrasound examinations to ensure their reproductive health and assess conditions that may affect the ability to conceive.
There are several types of ultrasounds that doctors may recommend for mothers-to-be before pregnancy. Learn about the definition of ultrasound for the pregnancy program and its various types through the following article.
Objectives of Ultrasound for the Pregnancy Program
Ultrasound in the pregnancy program has the primary goal of detecting the fertile period or ovulation of the mother-to-be. In this regard, ultrasound helps observe the development of follicles and determine the optimal time for the fertilization of the egg by sperm.
In addition to focusing on ovulation detection, ultrasound examinations in the pregnancy program provide several additional benefits, including:
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Reproductive Organ Examination
Ultrasound is used to assess the condition of the mother’s reproductive organs, including the uterus, vagina, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. All of these are related to the readiness of the mother to undergo the pregnancy program.
Detection of Uterine Abnormalities
Ultrasound examinations in the pregnancy program can also help detect abnormalities that may occur in the mother’s uterus, such as cysts or fibroids, which can affect the pregnancy process.
Monitoring the Effectiveness of Treatment and Supplements
In fertility treatments, doctors may provide additional vitamin supplements. Ultrasound is used to monitor the effectiveness of fertility-enhancing drugs or supplements consumed by the mother during the pregnancy program.
Basically, the goals and indications of ultrasound in the pregnancy program include evaluating the patient’s reproductive system to assess conditions:
Position and structure of reproductive organs: Ultrasound helps detect abnormalities in the position and structure of reproductive organs, including cases where women may be born without ovaries or a uterus.
Ovary condition: Ultrasound examinations can provide information about the size, shape, and abnormalities of the ovaries.
Number of antral follicles: Assessing the number of antral follicles helps determine the egg reserve, which can be an indicator of fertility conditions.
Uterus condition: Ultrasound helps identify the size, shape, position of the uterus, and detect possible abnormalities in the organ.
Endometrial thickness: Ultrasound is useful for detecting abnormal endometrial thickness, which can affect menstruation and pregnancy processes.
Fallopian tube condition: Ultrasound examinations help detect abnormalities in the fallopian tubes, such as swelling or blockage.
Additionally, ultrasound can also help detect disorders or specific conditions that may hinder the pregnancy process, such as ovarian cysts, fibroids, endometriosis, pelvic inflammatory disease, or other fertility issues.
Types of Ultrasound for the Pregnancy Program
During the pregnancy program, doctors can use various types of ultrasound to monitor and evaluate the reproductive conditions of patients. The two main types of ultrasound commonly performed are pelvic ultrasound and transvaginal ultrasound, which help detect ovulation or fertile periods.
Pelvic Ultrasound
In pelvic ultrasound, the doctor will apply transmission gel to the lower abdomen and then move the transducer (probe) over the skin surface. Sound waves will be emitted through the transducer to create an image of the organs inside the abdomen.
In the context of the pregnancy program, pelvic ultrasound is used to monitor fetal development, evaluate the health of the uterus and ovaries, and identify potential issues such as structural abnormalities or abnormal growth.
Transvaginal Ultrasound
In transvaginal ultrasound, a small and flexible probe is inserted into the vagina after being lubricated. This probe is specially designed to provide a closer and clearer view of internal reproductive organs, such as the uterus and ovaries.
Transvaginal ultrasound is often used in the early stages of pregnancy to detect early fetal development. Additionally, this ultrasound can help identify issues such as the threat of miscarriage, check the length of the cervix, and support fertility monitoring by observing follicular development during the menstrual cycle.
Both types of ultrasound are safe and generally not painful. The use of ultrasound during the pregnancy program helps doctors assess the health of reproductive organs and identify potential issues that may affect the success of pregnancy.
In addition to these two types of ultrasound, there are specific examinations that can be performed by doctors during the patient’s pregnancy program, including:
Antral Follicle Count Ultrasound
This method uses a transvaginal transducer to determine the number of follicles (small egg sacs) present in the ovaries. It is useful for assessing egg reserves and assisting in the diagnosis of conditions such as Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS).
3D Ultrasound
This type of ultrasound has the ability to detect abnormalities in the uterus and fallopian tubes that may not be visible with regular 2D ultrasound. It provides a more detailed three-dimensional image to aid in the evaluation of reproductive structures.
Hysterosalpingo-Foam Sonography (HyFoSy)
HyFoSy is a way to examine specific tubes in the mother called fallopian tubes. These tubes are crucial for the pregnancy process, and if there is a blockage, it can make it difficult to conceive. So, HyFoSy helps the doctor see if the tubes are clear or not.
HyFoSy works by injecting foam into the tube. This helps the doctor see if there are any issues, such as blockages. Unlike HSG, HyFoSy is better because it does not use radiation and is usually more comfortable.
Before undergoing HyFoSy, make sure to talk to the doctor first. The doctor will inform you of what needs to be done before the test and usually advises avoiding intercourse a few days before.
So, HyFoSy helps couples struggling to conceive by informing the doctor whether the fallopian tubes are functioning properly or not.
These examinations are specifically designed to provide deeper information about the mother’s reproductive conditions during the pregnancy program, assisting the doctor in determining the best strategy for achieving pregnancy success.
If Dad and Mom are looking for information about fertility and tips for success in the pregnancy program, get the information at Bocah Indonesia.
This article has been medically reviewed by Dr. Chitra Fatimah.
Source:
Afzal, S., et al. (2022). Preparation and Evaluation of Polymer-Based Ultrasound Gel and Its Application in Ultrasonography. Gels (Basel, Switzerland), 8(1), pp. 42. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8774352/
Lin, X., et al. (2021). Diagnostic Value of Different Color Ultrasound Diagnostic Method in Endometrial Lesions. World Journal of Clinical Cases, 9(19), pp. 5037–5045. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34307554/
National Institutes of Health (2022). National Library of Medicine. Sonography Gynecology Infertility Assessment, Protocols, And Interpretation. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK572093/
