What is Doppler echo and what is it used for in pregnancy

Ultrasound is undoubtedly one of the most important tests performed during pregnancy to check the correct course of pregnancy and the well-being of the baby. With it we date the pregnancy in case there are doubts, we observe the good development of the structures of the baby or we check his growth o

But there are different types of ultrasounds. Some of them are special, and only take place in certain circumstances. For example, the Doppler echo.

What is the Doppler echo and what is it for?

There is a special type of ultrasound called Doppler. Like ultrasound in a normal ultrasound, with its bounce on the structures to be reviewed, it returns an image, in the case of Doppler, these waves will measure the direction and speed of the blood flow to be observed.

This is very useful in pregnancy, depending on the vessels we study, we can detect problems in the fetus or follow up. For example, one of the most commonly studied vessels is the umbilical arteries, the middle cerebral artery, the ductus venosus or the umbilical vein. From them we obtain a series of parameters that will help us determine the commitment of the baby.

What Doppler echo can detect in pregnancy

Normally when the measurement is made, 3 similar flow waves are taken, and it is done in duplicate for more safety. Dichas These measurements are of special importance in the case of women with pregnancies at high risk for preeclampsia (a pathology of pregnancy that occurs from week 20 and that occurs with hypertension and excessive loss of protein in urine) and intrauterine growth delayed. In fact, in many cases both pathologies go hand in hand and the Doppler helps us in such a degree to know that in what state of commitment is the baby, that its alteration can determine the immediate termination of pregnancy.

But if you have doubts about it, consult your obstetrician or your midwife, they can inform you of what you need.