When a member of the family has finally given the news of pregnancy, it is a joyous moment. It’s normal to show excitement and check up on the child. The way to do this is to get sonography or, as we know as ultrasound.
Performing an ultrasound is the safest best way to know if the child is a girl or boy. Are you welcoming a new baby into your life soon? If you’re new to the use of ultrasound, there are many facts about ultrasound you need to know.
These are the seven important facts about ultrasounds that you need to discover. Read what we have below to find out more.
Table of Contents
1. Original Use Was Not for Medicine
One interesting fact about ultrasounds is that their original function was not for medicine. The development of ultrasound was to detect defects in metal. Different materials or foreign bodies appear hyperechoic when viewed in ultrasound.
The development of ultrasound for medicinal use did not happen until the 1950s. It was during this time that clinical use first became an option. Full use of the technology did not happen until 1956 in Glasgow hospital.
Today, more development of ultrasound or sonogram is underway, especially for detecting landmines. In the early 2000s, experts proposed that ultrasonic detection is the best method for finding landmines. It provides an accurate detection for landmines that remain undiscovered today.
2. Used to Detect Circulatory Problems
One of the health risks we face today can happen because of an obstruction in our blood flow. Situations like this happen because of cholesterol buildup in our circulatory system. The solution is to use ultrasound to detect obstructions in the blood flow.
The procedure is also known as an echocardiogram or ECG. It’s used to create an image of our cardiovascular system. This is a type of Doppler ultrasound used to measure blood flow and movement in our cardiac tissue.
Cardiac tissues are the third type of muscles only found in the heart. This procedure identifies abnormalities in the heart that would obstruct healthy blood flow. Using this method, it’s now possible to do early detection for any heart diseases.
3. Uses Sound Frequency
During the procedure, you will not hear any form of sound coming from the machine. This is possible because an ultrasound machine uses a frequency that people cannot hear.
Ultrasound imaging uses a frequency between two and 18 megahertz. This frequency is the best range for diagnostic purposes.
If you use a higher frequency, the skin will absorb it. If you want a high-quality image, you’re better off using a high frequency.
Lower frequencies penetrate deeper in the skin but provide bad image quality. Interested in getting an ultrasound for your baby? You can learn more about ultrasounds here.
4. Guidance for Making a Decision
Abortion is a controversial topic and a massive concern in our society. It’s common for some to disagree with getting one and see it as a despicable act. The good news is, getting an ultrasound has some effect in lowering abortion rates.
An ultrasound can guide a woman or an aspiring parent to make a serious decision. Once a pregnant woman becomes unsure about their pregnancy, an ultrasound helps them. When they see a healthy fetus in their womb, there will be a psychological impact on their decision.
This can help a doubtful mother become more accepting of her child. Because of this psychological effect, ultrasound has a role in lowering abortion rates. In some scenarios, getting an ultrasound encourages a mother to become more concerned about her child’s health.
Even where abortion isn’t concerned, an ultrasound is crucial for a mother’s health. An ultrasound will help you know what kind of procedure is best when it’s time to give birth. Knowing their options assures the mother of her and her child’s health.
5. 3D Imaging
Getting an ultrasound helps the parents determine if their baby is in good health. It also gives them an idea about the development of the organs and checks for deformations early on. All of this is possible because of the 3D imaging of ultrasound.
3D imaging happens by taking thousands of pictures at once. This gives a clear image of the baby and helps doctors determine the health condition of the uterus. A doctor may recommend an expecting mother to do exercises like yoga for better health.
6. Possible to Use Internally
Detecting circulatory issues and checking up on an unborn child are not the only capabilities of ultrasound. You can also use ultrasound waves to evaluate reproductive organs and the urinary system. The process uses a transducer placed in the rectum of a man and the vagina for women.
The ultrasound device can help you find formations like lymph nodes in the organs. A doctor may also insert the device in the mouth to check for obstructive formations.
This method helps get a better result for places that ultrasound can’t penetrate. However, it’s crucial to note that an internal ultrasound is less comfortable than an external ultrasound.
7. Animals Also Benefits From Ultrasound
People are not the ones who can benefit from using ultrasound. In some check-ups, veterinarians use ultrasound to check the health of our pets. This helps vets detect any disorders that you can’t detect through observation.
In some operations, vets use ultrasound as a guide while doing a procedure. Like when using the device to people, ultrasound waves are safe to use for our pets. You can expect no harm to happen to your pets, aside from shaving the area that needs the ultrasound.
Interesting Facts About Ultrasounds
Now you know some interesting facts about ultrasounds and their uses. Regardless if you’re pregnant or not, there are many clinical uses for an ultrasound. If you’re pregnant, consider getting an ultrasound and know the gender of your child today!
