This is usually one of the most magical moments of pregnancy. In ultrasound exams, we can see the baby inside the womb. And when we see, we know the baby is really there and the pregnancy is real. Over the months, the woman goes through a few different ultrasound sessions. At least one of them is known as the morphological ultrasound. But what is it actually?
The ultrasound exam uses sound waves that echo through the body and return as images. It is very safe and recommended for all pregnant women1. Through it, it is possible to detect problems such as placental abruption, fetal malformation, or placenta maturity. It also provides the mom and dad with unforgettable moments like seeing the baby sucking its thumb or even discovering the baby’s sex.
Morphological ultrasound – what is it for?
Morphological ultrasound is a variation of the conventional ultrasound2. It is normally performed between the 11th and 13th week or 20th and 24th week of pregnancy. At this stage, you can see the entire fetus inside the uterus, with greater ease and clarity than in previous weeks. Morphological ultrasound also shows in detail all the baby’s internal organs, highlighting if there are any problems or if the baby’s development is going well.
Organs such as the stomach, lung, heart, bladder, and kidneys can be visualized in the morphological ultrasound. The exam also shows the presence of the nasal bone and the fifth phalange (presence of the baby’s fifth finger). Additionally, it is possible to perform a detailed measurement of the baby’s veins and arteries in the brain and heart.
The bones are also important points in the morphological ultrasound, such as the baby’s cervical spine, femur, humerus, and others. All are checked to determine if the baby is developing correctly according to the weeks of pregnancy. See the ultrasound of a girl at 21 weeks here:
Morphological ultrasound with Doppler
Besides the sound waves, some resources can be used in morphological ultrasound, such as Doppler3. Doppler checks the intensity of blood flow from the placenta to the baby and to its heart. Morphological ultrasound is also performed to monitor and know the exact location and condition of the placenta. Most doctors request the morphological ultrasound between the 20th and 24th weeks. One of the motives is the possible detection of Down syndrome through the measurement of the nuchal fold, the well-known nuchal translucency. But the majority of positives for this syndrome identified by the measurement are false positives. This diagnosis is in fact positive in only 5% of cases.
If any other complication is detected in the morphological ultrasound, your OB-GYN will request another specific exam to rule out or confirm the possible issue. There are appropriated exams to examine the baby’s heart, head, and kidneys. There’s even a specific exam to check amniocentesis if Down syndrome is suspected. The morphological ultrasound costs around R$200.00 and usually lasts from 20 to 50 minutes.
Be prepared to lie on your back for quite a while. If you feel uncomfortable, let the doctor know. Anyone who has already been pregnant knows that this position can cause shortness of breath by compressing the abdomen and limiting breathing. If needed, ask for a break or change of position from the ultrasound doctor.
Morphological ultrasound video
What can you see in a morphological ultrasound?
As we have mentioned above, in morphological ultrasound the baby’s development is analyzed in detail, which is not possible in other types of ultrasound. Measurements, structure, and shape of the baby’s head are visible during the exam, as well as all the other bones.
The image of the baby’s face is also clearer in morphological ultrasound. That’s why it’s possible to check the baby’s features, as well as the presence of a cleft lip. It’s just not possible to check for a cleft palate, which is an opening in the roof of the mouth, and is harder to analyze. It’s in this ultrasound that most mothers leave happy with “photos” of their baby. With 3D and 4D images, you can perfectly see their little face.
In the morphological ultrasound, the spine is examined in detail and you can be sure the bones are well aligned, correctly positioned, and that the skin covers its entire length, all the way to the buttocks area.
The heart is also carefully observed during the morphological ultrasound. It is checked to see if the valves open and close correctly, following the heartbeat. With the help of Doppler, you can examine the main arteries and veins, which appear on the screen in different colors, blue and red.
The kidneys are also examined and whether urine is following the correct path to the bladder. The position of the placenta, the umbilical cord and its blood vessels are also analyzed more accurately with the help of Doppler. The amount of amniotic fluid will be measured, ensuring the baby has the necessary amount to continue developing healthily. The uterine arteries are also checked, as altered blood flow can indicate a risk of high blood pressure.
Through all the measurements checked during the morphological ultrasound, it is possible to tell the baby’s weight and size. However, it is an estimate to check if everything is within the expected range until delivery. It is important to remember that there may be some variation up or down compared to other pregnancies.
Talking a little about my experience
When I was pregnant with Dudu, I had already done 3 ultrasounds and could not see the baby’s sex. It was in the second trimester morphological ultrasound that we managed to see Dudu’s ‘piu piu’ and his little sack floating around. The doctor who performed the ultrasound suspected placenta previa. I was referred for a more detailed transvaginal ultrasound to find out if the placenta was really on the cervix. Fortunately, there were no problems. To know the whole story watch here:
Melissa’s morphological ultrasound confirmed she was a girl and I saw her heartbeat at 154 bpm. It showed the baby well-formed and an image I will never forget, Melissa yawning and touching her ear with her fingers. So make the most of this moment!
Questions from readers:
What is the right time to do a morphological ultrasound?
The morphological ultrasound is recommended between the 20th and 24th week, since it is the ideal stage to identify possible syndromes. You can also see the entire development of the baby, as well as facial malformations, due to its image sharpness.
What is the difference between the morphological and the regular ultrasound?
The difference with the morphological ultrasound is the quality of the image and the level of detail the exam can detect and assess, greater than the conventional ultrasound. Because it is more complete, it is requested at a stage where it is really possible to analyze the total development of the baby.
