Why ultrasounds are useful in the first trimester

Obstetrician Paul Crane, MD, explains why ultrasounds are useful during the first trimester of pregnancy and what first trimester ultrasounds show
Purpose of First Trimester Ultrasounds - Expert Pregnancy Guide
KidsInTheHouse the Ultimate Parenting Resource
Kids in the House Tour

Why ultrasounds are useful in the first trimester

Comment
109
Like
109
Transcription: 
Ultrasound is very valuable in the first trimester for various reasons. It does allow us to learn many things about the pregnancy. Number one, does allow us to very precisely date the pregnancy, which before ultrasound was frequently off by several weeks at times. Secondly, it does allow us to diagnose spontaneous miscarriages before they actually happen. Thirdly, it allows us to diagnose major malformations, sometimes in the very early stages. In the recent years, we have allowed ultrasound be an important part of diagnosis of Down Syndrome, as the nuchal translucency measurement has come into being, which allows us to screen for an increasing risk of Down Syndrome.

Obstetrician Paul Crane, MD, explains why ultrasounds are useful during the first trimester of pregnancy and what first trimester ultrasounds show

Related Videos

Transcript

Expert Bio

More from Expert

Paul Crane, MD

Obstetrician

Paul Crane, MD, is a board-certified Obstetrician and Gynecologist and has practiced for more than 30 years. He specializes in natural childbirth and VBAC births in his practice in Beverly Hills. Paul is the father of six children ranging in age from 18 to 40. In his free time, he enjoys photography. Even after 30 years, one of his favorite things to do is deliver babies. 

More Parenting Videos from Paul Crane, MD >
Enter your email to
download & subscribe
to our newsletter
  Listen or Watch
Must See First Year Videos
Three important rules about your baby's first foods
First year milestones
Postnatal depression and loneliness advice
Baby losing interest in nursing
The importance of spending quality time during early childhood
Narrating an infant's environment
Research based benefits of co-sleeping
Bonding versus attachment
Bonding with your baby after a less-than-perfect birth
Preventing postpartum depression
Play All 34 Videos
Featured Experts: Alan Greene, MD, Lawrence Kagan, MD, Barbara Olinger, MSW
More Playlists >
Transcription: 
Ultrasound is very valuable in the first trimester for various reasons. It does allow us to learn many things about the pregnancy. Number one, does allow us to very precisely date the pregnancy, which before ultrasound was frequently off by several weeks at times. Secondly, it does allow us to diagnose spontaneous miscarriages before they actually happen. Thirdly, it allows us to diagnose major malformations, sometimes in the very early stages. In the recent years, we have allowed ultrasound be an important part of diagnosis of Down Syndrome, as the nuchal translucency measurement has come into being, which allows us to screen for an increasing risk of Down Syndrome.