Doppler

Pregnancy and Doppler ultrasound scan

The Doppler scan is an ultrasound method used to study blood vessel flow in humans.
During pregnancy in this way we can monitor the “well being” of the fetus, i.e. whether the oxygenation of the fetus is sufficient.

So we study the umbilical vessels (the vessels responsible for the exchanges of nutrients between the fetus and the mother through the placenta), the baby’s cerebral arteries, the venous duct, the mother’s uterine arteries, etc.. These vessels, during gestation have a specific waveform as shown in the figure below. What we are studying is the differentiation of this waveform.

These measurements are performed in the clinic, throughout pregnancy, are absolutely painless and safe for the fetus and for the mother.
The doppler test is usually done proactively around 32 weeks but can be done earlier or later more times if conditions require it.
In cases of pathological measurements, additional tests, haematological and/or other tests may be necessary, or even to expedite labour.
With this test we can monitor the health of the baby in cases of restricted growth of the baby, preeclampsia, twin pregnancies, etc.