In this article, we'll talk about what kind of research involves screening the trimester, how many weeks it is made, and what the doctor will be able to see during the test.
What studies are screened for the 3rd trimester?
Usually, the third screening includes ultrasound diagnosis and cardiotocography (CTG). In rare cases, if there are suspicions of serious chromosomal abnormalities in the development of the baby, the woman will have to take a blood test to determine the level of hCG, RAPP-A, placental lactogen and alfa-fetoprotein.
With the help of ultrasound diagnosis, the doctor fully assesses all the organs and systems of the future baby, as well as the degree of maturity of the placenta and the amount of amniotic fluid. Usually, when the third ultrasound screening is done during pregnancy, Doppler is also performed , which allows the doctor to assess if the baby has enough oxygen, and also see if the baby has cardiovascular pathologies.
CTG is done at the same time as ultrasound, or a little later with the goal of determining whether the baby is suffering from hypoxia, and how actively his heart beats. In the case of poor Doppler and CTG results, a pregnant woman is usually offered early hospitalization to the maternity hospital, and with a negative dynamics of these studies, premature birth is stimulated.
What is the recommended third week for screening?
The doctor who observes pregnancy, in each case, determines when it is necessary to do the third screening. Sometimes, with the suspicion that the baby in the tummy has not enough oxygen for the mother, for example, because of the lag in the size of the fetus, the doctor can prescribe KTG or doppler procedure from the 28th week. The optimal time for all studies related to the third screening is the period from 32 to 34 weeks.
Regardless of the length of the woman's stay, if deviations are detected during the screening of the 3rd trimester, it is recommended that a second study be performed in 1-2 weeks to avoid the possibility of an error.