What is the umbilical cord blood flow test for pregnant women?

After a pregnant woman becomes pregnant, she will pay great attention to the fetus in her belly. She will take various examination measures to pay attention to the baby in her belly, wanting to understand the physical development of the baby in her belly, whether there are any bad conditions, etc. The umbilical cord is the connection between the fetus and the pregnant woman. Checking the umbilical cord blood flow is a very important step. So what is the umbilical cord blood flow check for pregnant women?

What is a cord blood flow test?

During the prenatal check-up after 30 weeks of pregnancy, the doctor will request an umbilical cord blood flow test. Umbilical blood flow examination is a non-invasive examination to monitor placental circulation. It mainly reflects the blood flow situation through indicators such as the ratio of the highest blood flow velocity in the umbilical artery systolic period (S) to the lowest blood flow velocity in the diastolic period (D) (S/D value), the resistance index [RI=(SD)/S] and the pulsatility index [PI=2(SD)/(S+D)]!

Why do we need to do a cord blood flow test?

Umbilical cord blood flow test is usually an additional test on the B-ultrasound order. It is mainly used to check the blood and oxygen supply of the fetus. In addition, it can also detect whether the fetus has chromosomal abnormalities and hereditary blood diseases.

Where is the umbilical cord blood flow test done?

Umbilical cord blood flow examination is an auxiliary means of pregnancy monitoring, usually used to understand fetal intrauterine growth restriction and pregnancy-induced hypertension. It can be completed in the obstetric fetal heart rate monitoring unit or in the outpatient B-ultrasound room.

What is the normal value of umbilical cord blood flow?

The normal value of umbilical cord blood flow is related to the number of weeks of pregnancy, and the normal value is usually an S/D value of less than or equal to 3.0 in late pregnancy.

Older pregnant women should have umbilical cord blood flow tests!

There are certain risks in checking the umbilical cord blood flow, so there are strict indications for checking the umbilical cord blood during pregnancy. But for older pregnant women, this check is best done! Why? Because older pregnant women have a higher incidence of fetal malformations than younger pregnant women. Umbilical cord blood flow examination can detect whether the fetus has chromosomal abnormalities and hereditary blood diseases.

Precautions during pregnancy:

1. Abdominal X-ray is strictly prohibited in early pregnancy

During the early stages of pregnancy, especially the first 15-56 days, the embryo's organs are highly differentiated and formed, and are very likely to become deformed after exposure to X-rays. Therefore, X-ray exposure is absolutely prohibited in the first two months of pregnancy, and should be avoided as much as possible in the first three months to prevent the baby from having defects such as microcephaly, dementia, cerebral edema, and microphthalmia. Routine lung radiography for pregnant women should also be postponed until after the fourth month of pregnancy, and X-ray pelvic measurements should be avoided as much as possible. If it is necessary for obstetrics, it should be done after 36 weeks of pregnancy.

2. Avoid infection that may cause your body temperature to rise

Fever is a common teratogenic factor. The higher the body temperature and the longer it lasts, the greater the possibility of teratogenesis. In daily life, we should pay more attention to our own temperature, avoid places with poor air quality, and avoid contact with patients with respiratory infections. If you have a fever, see a doctor as soon as possible and get treatment to reduce the fever immediately.

3. Stay away from passive smoking environment

Pregnant mothers who smoke must quit during pregnancy. Although some pregnant mothers do not smoke, they must stay away from "second-hand smoke", as the pollution level caused by it is no worse than smoking themselves. Medical research shows that women who smoke frequently or are exposed to passive smoking, especially during pregnancy, can cause maxillofacial or oral malformations in the fetus, leading to a variety of dental problems and periodontal diseases, making it difficult for the baby to have a set of healthy and strong teeth from the beginning of life and to maintain physical and mental health.