Anterior Placenta 3D & 4D Ultrasounds - What to Expect?
With advanced technology, many mothers-to-be have the chance to see their babies before they are born. Nowadays, 3D and 4D ultrasounds can provide you with adorable photos of your baby while still in the belly. However, pregnant women with anterior placenta never know what to expect because they are not sure whether they can see their little bundle of joy. Luckily, an anterior placenta 3D ultrasound may be able to provide you with the scan you want, thanks to the cutting-edge tech that we have today!
Before you go and do the ultrasounds, it is wise to know what to expect. If you have an anterior placenta, there is a possibility that you will not get as clear shots as you have imagined. Nonetheless, that does not mean that you cannot see your baby. Here, we have answered some questions that will establish your expectations for your next visit to the doctor.
Anterior Placenta 3D & 4D Ultrasounds - A Complete Guide
Prior to your ultrasound appointment, it is necessary to know what to expect. If you have an anterior placenta, you will want to explore your options and get good shots of your baby. Namely, you should be prepared for your anterior placenta 3D ultrasound and determine the possible results from your scan.
First, you need to know the difference between 3D and 4D ultrasounds. The former provides a scan of your baby in three dimensions, while the latter includes the baby's movement as well. Women who want to see most of their babies while in the belly have the tendency to schedule all the possible scans.
Still, you should not always expect that you will get clear shots as your friend did, for instance. While a 3D scan allows you to see your baby’s skin, body and head shape, the baby’s position may not provide the best outcomes. The same goes for an anterior placenta 4D ultrasound as well.
Moreover, you should know that 3D and 4D scans are considered safe. But, you should not decide to have them only to obtain a souvenir you can later post on your social media accounts. Experts do not recommend getting unnecessary scans because this way, you expose your baby to ultrasounds that are not really mandatory. There are private ultrasounds that are longer than 45 minutes, which is considered to pass the safe limit for scans.
On the other hand, these scans can be useful when there is a possible abnormality. They give a clearer image to doctors if they need to provide some sort of treatment for the baby.
How to Get Clear 3D and 4D Ultrasound Shots?
There are several factors that influence the clarity of your scans if you have an anterior placenta.
- The location of the placenta
The placenta is an organ that develops in the uterus during pregnancy, and it is the main source for the baby to obtain nutrients and oxygen. When the placenta is attached to the uterine wall in the front, it means you have an anterior placenta. On the other hand, if the placenta is in the back of the wall, then you have a posterior placenta.
When you want to schedule an anterior placenta 3D ultrasound, you should know when your best chances are for clear photos. Since the anterior placenta is placed over the baby’s head, the best time to make the scans is in the 28 and 34 weeks of your pregnancy. During this stage, your baby will not be too big and will not squish the placenta.
Anything later than 34 weeks of pregnancy will not bring very promising results. If you opt for an anterior placenta 4D ultrasound, the size of your baby will not allow visible movements on the scan. Therefore, the earlier you schedule these scans, the better.
- The position of the baby
The baby's position in the belly also influences the clarity of the scans. The ideal position for getting clear ultrasound shots is when the baby is head down near the cervix. This is the position that your baby should have when you go into labour.
If your baby’s face is directed towards your stomach, you will be able to get clear images during the ultrasound. In contrast, don’t expect any visible results if your baby is facing your spine.
- The amniotic fluid amount
The amount of amniotic fluid is crucial for the visibility of the scans - the higher the amount is the better the scans will be. This is especially important if you have an anterior placenta. There needs to be a significant amount of amniotic fluid between the face of the baby and the placenta for clear shots. That is why drinking a lot of water each day before your appointment for scans - and during your entire pregnancy - is recommended!
- The model of the ultrasound machine
It goes without saying that newer and more advanced technology will provide better scans of your baby. That said, looking for offices that work with advanced machines and scans gives you a better chance of obtaining higher-quality images of your baby. This can be especially important if you are about to make anterior placenta 3D ultrasound scans.
Anterior Placenta and Bigger Belly - Is It Cause for Concern?
Many women with an anterior placenta and bigger belly are concerned about whether these notions are connected. Moreover, they question whether the combination of the two can affect the pregnancy and cause complications. Nonetheless, both of these occurrences are quite common and generally do not impose risks for the baby or the mum.
An anterior placenta does not affect the growth of the belly. That is, there are other factors that affect the size of it, but they are not necessarily related to the position of the placenta. In addition, these factors are not usually a cause for concern, considering they are regarded as normal notions during pregnancy.
First, the size of the belly can depend on the position of the baby and the size of the body of the mother-to-be. Plus, weight gain during pregnancy can also impact the belly size since every woman undergoes different pregnancy changes.
Second, the amount of amniotic fluid can also affect the size of the belly as well as the woman’s unique physiology. This means that the anterior placenta and the belly size do not mean you are experiencing a risky pregnancy.
However, close monitoring of all the stages of pregnancy is always recommended and necessary. If there are some complications, your doctor will be able to catch them early and determine suitable treatment.
Anterior Placenta & Breech Baby - A Complete Guide
In general, many babies can be in a breech position around the 28 weeks of pregnancy. But, most of them come to a head-down position until pregnancy enters the 36th week. When it comes to the notion of anterior placenta and breech baby, many expectant mothers question whether the placenta is a reason for the breech position.
Even so, the placenta does not directly affect the breech position. There are separate aspects that affect these occurrences but are not directly connected.
If you have an anterior placenta, you might need to have a C-section during labour. It is a recommended procedure because the baby cannot get lower in the cervix any other way. During a C-section, the doctor will be able to move the baby's position and obtain the best conditions for giving birth. However, this is not always the case, so it is mandatory to consult with your doctor about your birth options.
The most important thing you have to do when it comes to anterior placenta and breech baby is to maintain close communication with your healthcare provider. Close monitoring will ensure that everything is okay with the baby during pregnancy and ensure safe labour when the time comes.
An anterior placenta 3D ultrasound can give you a lot of information about the baby while they are in your belly. It is essential to take into account that these scans are important for your baby's health and not just a souvenir. The information you gather from the ultrasound images can have a significant influence on your pregnancy, its progress, as well as the process of giving birth.
If you need more advice on pregnancy, please feel free to check out our other blogs. We are sure you will find them most insightful!
