Medical imaging in pregnancy

When a woman is pregnant, doctors want to make sure that everything is growing correctly with the baby inside her tummy. To help them see this, they use something called medical imaging.

Medical imaging is like taking a picture of the inside of the body without having to cut it open. Think of it like taking a picture of the baby inside the tummy with a special camera.

There are different types of medical imaging, but the two most commonly used in pregnancy are ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Ultrasound works by sending sound waves into the body and the waves bounce off the things inside, like the baby or the organs. These sound waves create a picture of the baby on a screen that the doctor can look at to make sure everything is growing as it should.

MRI is like a very strong magnet that takes pictures of the inside of the body. The woman lies down inside a big tube and listens to some loud noises while the machine takes pictures. These pictures show the baby and its organs on a computer screen.

Both ultrasound and MRI are safe for pregnant women and their babies because they do not use any radiation that can harm them.

Medical imaging is important in pregnancy because it can help the doctor see any potential problems with the baby, like birth defects or growth issues. This can help them take the right steps to keep the mother and baby healthy throughout the pregnancy.