There are many reasons for an ultrasound, but the most common is to see the baby in the womb. If you've just had an ultrasound and want to know how to interpret ultrasound photos, there are a few things to learn about the basics of ultrasound. You may also want to know how to find out certain features of a pregnancy ultrasound photo such as the baby's head, arms, or gender. Keep in mind that ultrasound can be difficult to interpret. So, it is best to ask your gynecologist for help.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Interpreting Ultrasound Photos
Step 1. Ignore the text and numbers at the top of the USD photo
Most hospitals and ultrasound centers use this space to enter details such as your name, hospital reference number, or ultrasound machine settings. Since this information has nothing to do with the contents of the ultrasound photo, you can ignore this information.
Step 2. Start at the top of the photo
The top of the screen or printed photo is the position of the ultrasonic scanner. In other words, the photo you see shows the organ or tissue viewed from the side, not from above.
For example, if your uterus is examined by ultrasound, what you can see at the top of the screen or ultrasound photo is the shape of the tissue above the uterus. As you go down you will see deeper tissues such as the walls, inside, and back of the uterus
Step 3. Take into account the color difference
Most ultrasound photos are in black and white, but you can see the difference in the black and white gradient in the photo. The color difference comes from the difference in the density of the material through which the sound waves pass.
- Dense tissue, such as bone, will appear white because the outer surface reflects more sound.
- Tissue that contains fluid, such as the uterus, will appear dark.
- Ultrasonic images do not work well with gases, so air-filled organs, such as the lungs, are generally not examined by ultrasound.
Step 4. Pay attention to common visual effects
Because ultrasound uses sound to produce images of structures inside the body, the images are not very clear. There are many visual effects that can occur due to the ultrasound setting, angle, or density of the tissue being observed. Some of the most common visual effects to notice are:
- Sharpening. This occurs when the part of the structure being observed appears brighter than it should be due to excess fluid in the area, for example in the case of a cyst.
- Attenuation. Also known as the shadow effect, the scanned area appears darker than it should be.
- Anisotropy. This effect is related to the angle of the ultrasound scanner. For example, holding the scanner at a certain angle against a number of tendons will cause the area to appear brighter than it should be, so the angle of the scanner must be adjusted to avoid this effect.
Method 2 of 2: Reading Pregnancy Ultrasound
Step 1. Identify your uterus
You can identify the shape of the uterus by finding a white or light gray line around the edges of the ultrasound photo. Right inside this area, there is a black area. This is amniotic fluid.
Keep in mind that the uterine rim may not show up fully. The ultrasound technician may position the scanner so that it is in the center of your baby's photo image. Even if you only see a white or black line along one or both sides of the photo, this is likely the shape of the uterus
Step 2. Find the baby
Your baby will also look gray or whitish and lie in the amniotic fluid (a dark area in the uterus). Look at the area within the amniotic fluid to try out your baby's design and features.
The details you see on the ultrasound photo depend on the stage of the pregnancy. For example, by the eighth week, the fetus will look like a candy bear or baked beans. At week 12, perhaps what can be identified is the baby's head. As for the 20th week, maybe you can already see the spine, eyes, legs, and heart
Step 3. Determine the gender of your baby
Around week 18 or 20, your ultrasound will check the baby's development, identify any problems, and maybe even identify the baby's gender. It's important to remember that determining the sex is not always possible at this stage, and you won't be absolutely sure until the baby is born.
To determine the sex of the baby, the ultrasound technician will look for the penis or the three lines that represent the labia. Keep in mind that this method of determining the sex of a baby is not 100% accurate. Visual effects can produce a blurred image of the penis on ultrasound photos
Step 4. Consider 3D or 4D ultrasound photos
If you are interested in seeing more details on your baby than a traditional ultrasound, you may want to ask your gynecologist for a 3D ultrasound. A 3D ultrasound can display the facial features of your baby and can even detect certain abnormalities such as a cleft lip or cleft palate.
- If you want to have a 3D or 4D ultrasound checked, the best time is between 26 to 30 weeks.
- Keep in mind that the cost of a 3D or 4D scan is quite expensive and may not be covered by insurance unless there is a medical reason to do so, for example to investigate an abnormality.
Tips
- Keep in mind that reading ultrasound photos is a complicated process and some details may be impossible to explain without the help of a trained professional. Ask your doctor for help in explaining the USD photo if after returning home something is worrisome.
- Chances are you can take home ultrasound photos. Ask the ultrasound scanning technician to explain the ultrasound photos before you go home.
