Screening in the second trimester of pregnancy
Screening in the 2nd trimester of pregnancy usually includes a detailed diagnosis of growth and fetal organs. Usually screening in the 2nd trimester should be carried out between the 19th and 22nd week of pregnancy. However, in the event of corresponding abnormalities in the ultrasound scan, consideration should be given to carrying out a fine-diagnostic examination of the organs.
In the course of screening in the 2nd trimester of pregnancy, the growth of the unborn child is checked. The length of the child from crown to sole (so-called crown-sole length; SSL), the circumference of the head and the diameter of the ribcage play a decisive role in this control. In addition, the amount of amniotic fluid as well as the position and structure of the placenta should be assessed during screening in the 2nd trimester of pregnancy.
The gynaecologist uses the ultrasound machine to visualise the child’s development. Abnormalities in the amount of amniotic fluid can, under certain circumstances, indicate malformations in the area of the gastrointestinal tract. The assessment of the position of the placenta is important, among other things, to rule out possible complications during birth.
Above all, a placenta that lies in the area of the inner cervix could make a spontaneous birth problematic. In addition, screening in the second trimester of pregnancy includes ultrasound examination of the fetal organs and heart. During this examination, the main focus is on whether the four chambers of the heart can be visualised and whether there are any abnormalities in the area of the inner cerebral fluid spaces (ventricles).
In addition, during screening in the 2nd trimester of pregnancy, the gynaecologist checks whether the stomach is located in the upper abdomen of the unborn child. The child’s supply via placenta and umbilical cord should also be checked during the second trimester screening. For this purpose, a so-called Doppler sonographic examination of the placenta and umbilical cord is performed.
In addition, blood flow measurement of the maternal vessels (especially the uterine arteries) can be useful. The screening in the 2nd trimester of pregnancy cannot be carried out by every gynaecologist. The prerequisite for carrying out a detailed diagnosis of the fetal organs is a particularly high-resolution ultrasound device.
If any abnormalities occur during this screening, the expectant mother should be referred to a specialist for further clarification. Screening in the 2nd trimester of pregnancy cannot be performed by every gynaecologist. A particularly high-resolution ultrasound machine is required for the detailed diagnosis of the fetal organs. If any abnormalities occur during this screening, the expectant mother should be referred to a specialist for further clarification.
Summary
The 2nd trimester of pregnancy begins with the 13th and ends with the 28th week of pregnancy. This stage of pregnancy is characterised by a rapid growth phase of the unborn child. In addition, the existing pregnancy becomes clearly visible to outsiders in most women in the 2nd trimester.
Since the body of the expectant mother has usually adjusted to the needs of the growing child by the beginning of the 13th week of pregnancy, the typical symptoms of early pregnancy usually subside significantly in the 2nd trimester. In many women the symptoms even disappear completely by the beginning of the 2nd trimester of pregnancy. In particular, the dreaded nausea and regular vomiting are often a thing of the past by the beginning of the 2nd trimester of pregnancy.
The mood swings typical for the first trimester of pregnancy also usually flatten out during this phase of pregnancy. For this reason, most expectant mothers find the 2nd trimester of pregnancy particularly pleasant. Nevertheless, the rapid growth of the unborn child can lead to other complaints.
Especially towards the end of the 2nd trimester of pregnancy, many women experience severe pain in the lumbar spine. However, the reason for this is not only the increase in size and weight of the unborn child. The increase in the pregnancy hormone progesterone also stimulates the loosening of ligaments and muscles. For this reason, the expectant mother’s spine is less able to withstand the increasing weight of the child.
