What is level 2 ultrasound?
When a woman is between 18 and 22 weeks pregnant, alevel 2 ultrasound is advised. It is also referred to as an anatomy scan or anomaly scan. With the help of this ultrasound technique, your doctor can evaluate the medical condition and growth of your infant. Level 2 ultrasound offers a more informative analysis of the various sections of the baby’s body than a level 1 ultrasound, which is used to take the measurements of the baby and record its position, does. During a level 2 ultrasound, the baby’s entire body, especially the heart, brain, and other organs, will often be examined. Additionally, amniotic fluid and umbilical cord fluid values are examined. In contrast to transvaginal examinations performed earlier in a pregnancy, level 2 ultrasound is often transabdominal. Women who are pregnant may suffer anxiety as this examination is different from any other early-pregnancy exam. If the woman having a level 2 ultrasound has adequate knowledge about the process, she will feel less anxious.
Uses of level 2 ultrasound
A level 2 ultrasound is performed between weeks 18 and 22 of a pregnancy, as the baby is sufficiently big for the doctor to see the characteristics of its organs and other body features at this time. The doctor may occasionally advise the patient to get further examinations done to monitor the development and growth of the infant. During a level 2 ultrasound, the following areas are inspected:
- Regions of the brain, such as the corpus callosum, the ventricles, and the cerebellum
- Facial structures include nose, palate, lips, ears, and eyes
- Neck
- Heart
- Lungs
- Spine and ribs
- Other abdominal organs, including the gallbladder, liver, spleen, stomach, and intestines
- The location where the umbilical cord is attached
- Placenta shape and positioning
- Position and motions of the foetus
- The amount of fluid in the amniotic sac
The level 2 ultrasound photos are typically displayed on a screen so that you, and your doctor, your nurse, or other medical professional could see them. You might be handed some photocopies or a hard drive with the photographs to keep as records after the images have been analysed and recorded.
Using a level II ultrasound, a clinician can carefully track the development of the following in infants:
Fingers and toes– Several new parents can only see and count their new-born’s 10 small fingers and 10 small toes once they are born. However, before a baby is delivered, doctors and parents may be able to count the baby’s fingers and toes, thanks to advances in level 2 ultrasound in pregnancy. If you’re nervous about your scan, the chance of seeing specifics like your baby’s toes and fingers during the examination could provide you
with considerable happiness and peace of mind. The extent to which your baby co-operates throughout the level 2 ultrasound exam will determine whether you can count all of their fingers and toes. You might need to wait until the baby is born to count each finger and toe separately if they move too much.
Legs– It is quite possible that you will be comfortably able to see larger portions, like your baby’s legs and arms on an ultrasound regardless of their movement as compared with their toes and fingers. Your baby’s femur, or thigh bone, will be measured by the ultrasound technologist during the level 2 scan in a pregnancy. This evaluation aids the technologist in determining how effectively the child is developing in comparison with the gestational age. In some cases, it’s also feasible to observe the baby moving around and kicking, something that you might or might not be feeling at this stage in your pregnancy.
Arms– The level 2 ultrasound technologist will assess your baby’s legs as well as examine the ulna and radius bones in the arms. You may observe your infant sucking their thumb or flailing their arms around, depending on where their hands are during the level 2 ultrasound. Some technicians could be able to take an image of your kid moving their arm or placing their thumb safely in their mouth. This kind of image can serve as a beloved memory and an enjoyable way of reliving that moment.
Internal organs– The level 2 ultrasound examination aids in examining the baby’s interior organs, such as the brain and stomach. The brain of the infant appears as a butterfly throughout the scan, and the doctor looks for significant cranial characteristics.
Additionally, they look for anomalies such as choroid plexus cysts. The anomalies related to the abdomen, kidneys, and several other urologic organs can also be seen clearly with the level 2 ultrasound. If the examination reveals any organ issues, the doctor may advise treatment or propose more scans if necessary.
Heart– A level 2 ultrasound expert will examine your unborn child’s heart during the procedure to determine the foetal heart rate and check for any structural issues, such as cardiac malformations and ventricular deformities. They may probably advise a foetal echocardiography if they have reason to believe your baby’s heart may be having issues.
Spine and ribs– The level 2 ultrasound scan will also be used to look at the baby’s ribs and spine. The doctor then focuses on the other organs after making sure the spine and neural tube are growing normally. The doctor might suggest the patient see a perinatologist if he suspects the presence of tumours or other spinal anomalies.
Placenta and umbilical cord– The placenta will be examined by the doctor during the level 2 ultrasound examination. The foetus can be tested for placenta previa if the placenta is in an unusual location or if there are placental abnormalities. The scan aids in determining where the umbilical cord is inserted and where it is located. The foetal umbilical cord typically has two blood vessels and one vein, but a change in this ratio could indicate a problem with the umbilical cord.
Gender– A level 2 ultrasound, which displays the baby’s genitalia in development, also aids in determining the gender of the foetus. Sometimes, the baby’s movements during the scan, make it challenging for the medical professionals to determine the gender. However, gender reveals in India is illegal as it was banned in 1994 under the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques Act, 1994.
What to expect during a level 2 ultrasound?
During the 18 to 22 weeks of a pregnancy, it is usually advised to have a level 2 ultrasound or a thorough anatomical survey. Level 2 ultrasound is an anatomical scan since it provides information to the clinician regarding foetal growth and malformations. Even if the patient has a level 1 ultrasound to confirm the approximate due date, a level II ultrasound is required to obtain more comprehensive and important details regarding the unborn child. A woman may require several thorough ultrasounds if she is expecting twins or other multiples. Transvaginal ultrasounds should not be mistaken for level 2 ultrasounds, which resemble transabdominal ultrasounds. Some patients might be anxious about this examination, but they shouldn’t be because it is safe and does not cause any risk to the unborn child.
Risks of level 2 ultrasound
According to research, level 2 ultrasound has no substantial dangers. As per medical advice, the patient should not undergo level 2 ultrasounds multiple times. The patients may always call the doctor if they have any concerns about the blurry images or the anomalies in the level 2 ultrasound. Level 2 ultrasounds are frequently two-dimensional since three-dimensional ones are only appropriate for more advanced stages or in cases where the foetus is thought to have serious medical issues. The individual is not exposed to radiation or any surgical trauma during the harmless level 2 ultrasound technique, but the radiologist and physician must take extra care to protect the pregnant woman.
Takeaway points
Between the 18 and 22 weeks of pregnancy, all pregnant women are required to have a level 2 ultrasound. Level 1 ultrasounds are distinct from level 2 ultrasounds since they are performed early in the pregnancy. The latter also offers thorough details regarding the infant’s general development and growth. The major benefit of this level 2 ultrasound is the simultaneous detection and treatment of irregularities in the baby’s growth and development. Therefore, the patient must maintain calmness and avoid becoming tense or anxious throughout the procedure.
