B ultrasound is one week larger

Some pregnant women will find out that the fetus in their belly is one week larger than normal after an ultrasound examination. This will make them very worried, fearing that it will affect their smooth delivery. In fact, if the abnormality is not so serious, there is no need to be so nervous. As long as it is discovered and treated early, it will get better. However, at this time, you must observe the development and growth of the fetus in your belly more closely.

1. B-ultrasound, intuitive monitoring of the baby's development

Normally, the best time to undergo this examination is between 18 and 20 weeks of pregnancy, when most possible problems with the fetus can be identified. It can see the fetal body, head, fetal heartbeat, placenta, wool and umbilical cord, etc. It can find out whether the fetus is alive, whether it is a multiple birth, and even determine whether the fetus is deformed.

Usually the first time is between 18 and 20 weeks of pregnancy, at which time it can be determined whether the pregnancy is single or multiple, and the fetal head circumference can be measured.

The second time is between 28 and 30 weeks of pregnancy, during which time we can learn about the development of the fetus, whether there are any surface deformities, and further understand the position of the fetus and the amount of amniotic fluid.

The third time is at 37-38 weeks of pregnancy. The purpose at this time is to determine the fetal position, fetal size, placental maturity, whether the umbilical cord is wrapped around the neck, etc., to conduct a final evaluation before delivery.

2. Down syndrome screening to eliminate congenital defects

Down syndrome screening is a simple, economical, and non-destructive method to identify pregnant women at high risk of carrying a fetus with congenital idiocy. Down syndrome is one of the main causes of severe congenital intellectual disability, and every pregnant woman has the potential to give birth to a child with Down syndrome. The chance of having a baby with Down syndrome increases with the age of the pregnant woman.

You will have a test between weeks 14 and 20 of your pregnancy. The doctor will draw serum from the pregnant woman and test the concentration of alpha-fetoprotein and chorionic villus hormone in the maternal serum. Based on the pregnant woman's due date, age and gestational age at the time of blood collection, the risk factor of having a child with Down syndrome will be calculated. Higher levels of alpha-fetoprotein are associated with open neural tube defects. When women are 35 years old or older, this test can detect about 80% of fetuses with Down syndrome, trisomy 18, and neural tube defects.

3. Blood sugar monitoring to avoid the danger of high blood sugar

Due to hormonal changes during pregnancy, there is an increased chance that a woman may develop or develop diabetes. High blood sugar levels during pregnancy can cause the fetus to be too large. Full-term macrosomic babies must be delivered by caesarean section. Diabetes may also cause stillbirth or malformations. If detected early, diabetes can be easily controlled through diet or insulin injections. At 24-28 weeks, you will have a diabetes screening test. The doctor will ask you to drink sugar water containing 50 grams of glucose, and then draw blood one hour after drinking it to test the blood sugar level.

Note:

(1) Eat a normal diet 3 days before blood test for glucose screening. No need to diet to avoid affecting the test results.

(2) Start counting the time for one hour after drinking the glucose water, then draw blood. You can eat only after the venous blood is drawn.

Check results:

If it is ≥7.8 mmol/L (or 140 mg/dL), it means the screening is positive and a further 75 g or 100 g glucose tolerance test is required to determine whether gestational diabetes is present. [1]