Antenatal Ultrasound Clinic
Antenatal Ultrasound Clinic.co.uk has been designed and developed by Sarah Leigh and the team at Designer Email Ltd.
The antenatal ultrasound network of websites was created to enable expectant mums to find an ultrasound clinic that was nearby so limiting travelling time. This is the first of many online networks of websites being developed for mums.
Sarah is an Internet entrepreneur that has been developing website portals since the early 1990's and was one of the UKs first domain name traders. This website portal is exceptional in the fact that it has been developed for the sole purpose of enabling antenatal ultrasound clinics across the United Kingdom to be found on the Internet in a single place.
Designer Email Ltd under the leadership of Sarah have created many online brands such as studentmentoring.com, Global School Connections and Reading Partners.
General Information: Private Antenatal and Antenatal Ultrasounds
3. Determination of gestational age and assessment of foetal size.
Foetal body measurements reflect the gestational age of the foetus. This is particularly relevant in early pregnancy. In women that do not have regular menstrual periods, these measurements need to be made as early as possible in pregnancy to arrive at a correct dating. In the later part of pregnancy measuring the foetal body parameters will allow the assessment of the size and growth of the foetus and will help with the diagnosis and management of intrauterine growth retardation.
The following measurements are usually made:
A) The crown-rump length (CRL)
The measurement can be made between 7 to 13 weeks and gives a very accurate gestational age. Dating using the crown-rump length can be within 3-4 days of the last menstrual period. It is very important to note that a due date that is set using an accurate crown-rump length measurement should not be changed by any subsequent scans. If another scan at a later date suggests a new due date that is after the original date, this should be interpreted as the baby not growing at the expected rate, rather than changing the due date.
B) The Biparietal Diameter (BPD)
The biparietal diameter is the diameter between the 2 sides of the head. This is measured after 13 weeks. This measurement increases from about 2.4cm at 13 weeks to about 9.5 cm at full term. Babies of the same weight can have different head sizes and therefore using this measurement for dating in the later part of pregnancy is considered unreliable. The use of BPD for dating should be done as early as possible.
C) The femur length (FL)
This measurement measures the longest bone in the body and this reflects the longitudinal growth of the foetus. The measurement of the femur length is similar in its usefulness to the biparietal diameter. It increases from about 1,5cm at 14 weeks to about 7.8cm at full term. Similar to the bpd the femur length should be done as early as possible.
D) Abdominal circumference.
The abdominal circumference is the single most important measurement to make in late pregnancy. This measurement reflects foetal size and weight rather than age. Serial abdominal circumference measurements are useful in monitoring the growth of the foetus.
All these measurements when used together with polynomial equations can estimate the weight of the foetus at any gestation with great accuracy. Computer software and look up charts can be used to generate growth analysis charts to plot the growth curve for each individual pregnancy.
