The length of the femur at 32 weeks is normal. The length of the femur is less than the gestational age. Ultrasound norms by week. Femur, mm

For the entire period of pregnancy, if the expectant mother registered in time with antenatal clinic, she will have to undergo several important tests, including an ultrasound. It is this procedure that allows you to observe the fetometry of the fetus and monitor the development of the baby.

Fetal fetometry by week of pregnancy is an intrauterine measurement of the baby to determine how the baby’s body is developing, to identify possible disorders or diagnose other problems.

The fetal fetometry is measured in millimeters, and the data obtained is checked against special tables, from which the state of pregnancy becomes clear. Each week of pregnancy has its own fetometric indicators.

More about the study

Fetal fetometry is an absolutely safe method of research by week of pregnancy, as it is carried out using ultrasonic waves, which do not have a negative effect on the body of the fetus and the pregnant woman;

This method is non-invasive - that is, it does not require disruption of the integrity skin, mucous membranes or blood sampling;

Can be performed as many times as medical indications require;

Fetal fetometry makes it possible to dynamically monitor its growth week by week and the condition of its organs;

The study also makes it possible to determine indicators indicating developmental disorders and anomalies, genetic diseases in the fetus during a routine ultrasound examination of a pregnant woman.

How to prepare for research

Fetometric measurements of a developing baby in utero are carried out during an ultrasound. This study can be performed either with a transvaginal sensor or through the anterior abdominal wall.

If the procedure will be performed through the vagina, there is no need to prepare for fetal fetometry. If a transabdominal procedure is planned, then early stages pregnancy, you will need to drink about half a liter of water an hour before the test and not go to the toilet after that.

This is necessary so that through a full bladder, like through a window, you can look into the uterine cavity. After 12 weeks, this is no longer required, since the necessary “window” is created by amniotic fluid.

When and how does the research take place?

Fetometry is carried out as planned three times, as is ultrasound diagnostics:

• in the first trimester (at 11-12 weeks);
• in the second (at 20-22 weeks);
• in the third (mostly at 32 weeks).

If there are indications or any reasons for additional examinations, then the doctor will refer you to an unscheduled procedure.

I trimester

In the first trimester, as part of a fetometric study, the diagnostician will confirm the due date expected by your gynecologist. The main task of the doctor at this stage is to exclude chromosomal abnormalities and gross malformations. The most important indicators now will be the coccygeal-parietal size (CTR) and abdominal circumference.

Also, during the screening ultrasound examination, both the thickness of the collar space and the length of the nasal bone are measured.

II trimester

An ultrasound examination in the second trimester is carried out to check the absence of intrauterine development disorders. For this, basic measurements are taken: biparietal size of the fetal head, CTE, head circumference, abdominal circumference, fronto-occipital size.

Perhaps other indicators will be taken: the length of the baby’s hip and the length of other bones (tibia, humerus, ulna). At this doctor's visit, you have the chance to find out the sex of your unborn baby.

III trimester

Diagnosis in the third trimester no longer sets itself the task of looking for any defects or disorders, because before this time the baby is already fully formed and preparing for birth.

Now it is important for the doctor to check his well-being and health status. He will also measure the circumference of the head and abdomen, look at how symmetrically the child’s limbs develop, and determine his weight and height.

These indicators will be important for choosing a method of delivery (too large fetal size, first pregnancy, narrow pelvis and other features may cause a referral for cesarean section). If everything is in order, no further procedure is prescribed.

Forms of developmental delay

Several forms of fetal growth retardation have been identified, which can be determined through fetal fetometry at different weeks of pregnancy

1. The symmetrical form is fixed when all indicators of the fetometric study are lower than normal values ​​for this stage of pregnancy;
2. With an asymmetric form, the diagnostician will observe the norm in relation to some parameters, and preferential decreases in some other indicators.

There are also three degrees to determine the lag in fetometry parameters:

• 1st degree means a difference from the norm of two weeks;
• 2nd – at 3-4;
• 3rd – more than a month.

Sometimes the doctor repeats the procedure after some time, and the parameters return to normal, so you shouldn’t just be scared if the numbers of your study differ from the book values.

If there is a big difference, additional diagnostic methods will be prescribed to rule out all kinds of pathologies and defects, developmental disorders, stoppage or delay of vital activity.

What is measured - fetal fetometry at different weeks of pregnancy

There are several growth parameters related to the state of the baby’s skeletal system. The main indicators for the age assessment of the baby are:

• KTR (coccygeal-parietal size), which corresponds to the length from the crown of the child to the coccygeal region and indicates the state of the fetal growth index.
• BDP (biparietal size), which corresponds to the width of the baby’s head between his parietal bones of the skull.
• LZR (fronto-occipital size), which corresponds to the width from the child’s frontal bone to the most protruding point of the occipital bone.
• DB (thigh length).
• OB (abdominal circumference), which is also used to assess growth rates.
• OG (chest volume).
• Lengths of various bones of the skeleton (forearm bones, femur and humerus).

Fetal fetometry table by week

Typically, a young mother is recommended to undergo this examination towards the end of the 1st trimester, in the middle of the 2nd and closer to the time of birth, so women are often very interested in the norm of fetal fetometry at 20 weeks and 30 weeks, as the most important milestones. This data can be obtained from the table below, which shows the desired indicators for each week, starting from the 12th to the 36th. All parameters, except CTE, are indicated in mm.

It should be said that these fetometric norms for weeks, although given in the form of a specific number, in reality have a certain range of values, because it is impossible to bring all organisms to a single denominator. Each of the parameters has its own number of units by which it can shift towards decreasing or increasing: for example, for abdominal circumference it is approximately 14 units in each direction, and for biparental head size it is only 3-4 units in each direction.

As for possible deviations from the norm, they are mainly checked using the KTE parameter - if it does not coincide with the specified value for a certain week, perhaps the gestational age was measured incorrectly. Or, in case of a serious lag or advance, as well as a lack of dynamics, the doctor may talk about:

• frozen pregnancy;
• pathologies in the development of the baby;
• progesterone deficiency in the mother's body;
• infectious diseases that affect the development of the fetus;
• pathologies of the uterine mucosa.

Conclusion

It should be borne in mind that the average values ​​​​are recorded in the plate, and the sizes of each baby may differ. This depends on many factors, including heredity. Therefore, if the child is a little less than normal– this is not a reason to worry, you need to monitor its growth over time. If it is positive, it may be individual feature child development.

The information from the fetal fetometry tables by week of pregnancy is for informational purposes only. You should not interpret your screening results on your own. If there is non-compliance with the standards, the doctor individually determines how critical it is. If the deviations are undesirable, then it is possible to correct the situation by taking the necessary measures in a timely manner. You can read about what other studies pregnant women need to undergo.

In the process of bearing a baby, expectant mothers have to undergo a large number of examinations, including fetometry of the fetus using ultrasound. This is one of the few non-traumatic procedures that can provide reliable information about the condition and development of the child throughout pregnancy.

Fetal fetometry, as a method, is the determination of the size of the baby through ultrasound scanning and comparison of the obtained data with existing standards. This information allows the attending physician to judge the occurrence of developmental abnormalities or the normal process of gestation.

If there are difficulties in determining the time of conception based on the last menstruation, fetal fetometry allows you to determine it with an accuracy of up to 4 days. Therefore, we can say that this method is in demand in the early diagnosis of intrauterine development disorders and specifying the timing of pregnancy. All standards for fetal fetometry indicators are adjusted to international medical standards and are indicated in tables with average statistical data.

Periods of fetometric examination

Ultrasound examinations for the purpose of diagnosing the development of the baby are usually timed to the 12th, 20th and 32nd weeks of pregnancy. There is one diagnostic procedure for each trimester.

The decision regarding the time of ultrasound and fetometry is made by the doctor. This is affected by:

• general state expectant mother;
• suspicion of a violation of the intrauterine development of the child;
• established timing of fetal fetometry.

Thanks to ultrasound, it became possible not only to assess the main characteristics of the fetus (calculate the weight of the fetus using ultrasound, its height, chest and head circumference) and correlate them with the average statistical indicators for weeks of pregnancy, but also to identify the functional state of the child’s internal organs and determine its gender.

Thanks to modern ultrasound diagnostics, the doctor can not only compare fetometric data with the norm, but also assess the development of internal organs and determine the sex of the child

Key characteristics of fetometric research

The leading criteria for fetal fetometry are:

• KTR (coccygeal-parietal size);
• BPR (biparietal head size);
• OG (chest circumference);
• AB (abdominal circumference);
• DB (femur bone length).

Table with average fetal fetometry values ​​by week of pregnancy:

A week	BPR, mm	LZR, mm	Coolant, mm	DBK, mm	Weight, g	Height, cm
13	24	-	69	9	31	10
14	27	-	78	13	52	12,3
15	31	39	90	17	77	14,2
16	34	45	102	21	118	16,4
17	38	50	112	25	160	18
18	43	53	124	30	217	20,3
19	47	57	134	33	270	22,1
20	50	62	144	35	345	24,1
21	53	65	157	37	416	25,9
22	57	69	169	40	506	27,8
23	60	72	181	42	607	29,7
24	63	76	193	45	733	31,2
25	66	79	206	48	844	32,4
26	69	83	217	49	969	33,9
27	73	87	229	52	1135	35,5
28	76	89	241	55	1319	37,2
29	78	92	253	58	1482	38,6
30	81	95	264	60	1636	39,9
31	83	97	274	62	1779	41,1
32	85	100	286	63	1930	42,3
33	86	102	296	65	2088	43,6
34	88	104	306	67	2248	44,5
35	89	106	315	69	2414	45,4
36	91	108	323	71	2612	46,6
37	93	109	330	73	2820	47,9
38	94	110	336	74	2992	49
39	95	112	342	75	3170	50,2
40	96	116	347	76	3373	51,3

Additionally, the following ultrasound indicators can also be determined:

• fetal head circumference;
• fronto-occipital size;
• length of the tibia bone;
• tibia length;
• foot length;
• length of the bones of the shoulder and forearm;
• interhemispheric cerebellar size (IMD);
• heart diameter.

Indicators of the development of the nasal bridge are very important for assessing the development of the child in the framework of identifying chromosomal diseases and birth defects

CTE as a characteristic of the physical development of the fetus

Duration, weeks + day	10 weeks	+ 1 day	+ 2 days	+ 3 days	+ 4 days	+ 5 days	+ 6 days
KTE, mm	31	33	34	35	37	39	41
Duration, weeks + day	11 weeks	+ 1 day	+ 2 days	+ 3 days	+ 4 days	+ 5 days	+ 6 days
KTE, mm	42	43	44	45	47	48	49
Duration, weeks + day	12 weeks	+ 1 day	+ 2 days	+ 3 days	+ 4 days	+ 5 days	+ 6 days
KTE, mm	51	53	55	57	59	61	62
Duration, weeks + day	13 weeks	+ 1 day	+ 2 days	+ 3 days	+ 4 days	+ 5 days	+ 6 days
KTE, mm	63	65	66	68	70	72	74

Variants of the norm include an increase in CTE for one to two weeks. If Rh conflict, neoplasms and diabetes of the mother are excluded, then such an increase in the size of the baby may indicate that the child will be born large, weighing more than 4 kg.

In this case, you need to use medications that affect metabolism, including complex vitamins, with caution. Such drugs can lead to very large child from 5 kg.

The reasons that can lead to a decrease in CTE can be both normal variants and a sign of severe pathology.

To standard options refers to the possibility of later fertilization due to the timing of ovulation. As you can see, the time of conception will be slightly later than calculated according to the last day of menstruation. In this situation, you just need to repeat the ultrasound in a week.

Pathological causes:

1. Frozen pregnancy and embryo death. This situation requires immediate intervention and medical care, because can cause bleeding, disruption of the reproductive functions of the female body, toxic shock and death of the mother. This pathology can be excluded if the heartbeat of the unborn child is determined.
2. Lack of hormones (usually progesterone) requires confirmation using additional research methods and hormonal therapy (only a doctor can prescribe it!). Treatment is mandatory, because hormonal deficiency can cause self-abortion.
3. Infections, including STIs, can become a factor that negatively affects the baby's growth. In this situation, additional examinations are required to identify the infectious agent. Then therapy should be carried out within the permitted time frame.
4. Genetic abnormalities (syndromes: Down, Patau, Edwards). If such disorders are suspected, genetic consultation and additional examinations are required. Serious genetic abnormalities usually lead to self-abortion.
5. Somatic diseases of the mother, including chronic heart and thyroid diseases. As a rule, they exert their influence at a later date. And yet, their influence cannot be excluded from the first week of embryo development.
6. Pathology of the mucous membrane lining the uterus. Erosion, abortion, fibroids, violating the integrity of the mucous layer, prevent the fertilized egg from properly attaching to the uterine wall and growing fully, which can cause self-abortion.

Insufficient CTE indicators, according to the table of standards, may indicate disturbances in the intrauterine development of the child, therefore such a pregnancy requires additional examination

CTE is an important indicator of the development of the baby, but do not rush to interpret its value yourself, wait for the comments of the attending physician.

BDP as an indicator of the development of the fetal nervous system

The biparietal indicator, measured during fetometry, indirectly describes the development of the baby’s nervous system and indicates the gestational age with a high degree of accuracy. In fact, BPR on ultrasound is the distance between the outer visible boundaries of the oppositely located parietal bones of the skull (right and left), which is determined along the line of the eyebrows. Often this parameter is measured together with the LZR indicator (fronto-occipital size) - the distance between the outer visible boundaries of the bones: occipital and frontal.

The characteristics of the BDP are used to determine the degree of safety for the mother and child of its passage through the birth canal during the process of delivery. In cases where the BPR value significantly exceeds the norm, surgical delivery by cesarean section is indicated.

The BPR indicator in combination with the LZR indicator allows you to evaluate the characteristics of the baby’s brain and the development of the baby’s nervous system on a weekly basis. A feature of biparietal characteristics is that their growth slows down with increasing gestational age.

At twelve weeks, the growth of the BPR indicator is about 4 mm per week, by the end of the gestation period it barely reaches 1.3 mm. A competent interpretation of this indicator makes it possible to assess with a high level of reliability the growth and development of the baby throughout the entire gestation period.

Minor fluctuations in biparietal and fronto-occipital indicators may be variations in the baby’s normal growth. For example, if the fetus is large (over 4 kg), then all parameters can be increased for a period of one to several weeks. Also, sometimes the head grows slightly larger/smaller than other organs, because the baby grows unevenly. In this situation, you need to repeat the ultrasound in a few weeks, perhaps the indicators will level out.

If the doctor has diagnosed the patient with a large pregnancy, then the BPR and LZR indicators can be naturally increased in accordance with the size and weight of the baby

A significant increase in these indicators can be an alarming symptom, indicating the development of neoplasms of bone or brain structures, the appearance of cerebral hernias and the accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricles of the brain (hydrocephalus/dropsy):

• If neoplasms and cerebral hernias develop, it is recommended to terminate the pregnancy. A fetus with such a pathology is usually not viable.
• Hydrocephalus, in most cases, occurs due to intrauterine infection. The infection must be treated with antibiotics. If this treatment does not work, it is recommended to terminate the pregnancy. If there is no development of hydrocephalus, the fetus is usually allowed to be preserved, but its condition must be constantly monitored by ultrasound.

A decrease in the size of the fetal head may indicate insufficient development of certain brain structures, or the absence of them. The absence of any brain structures is a strict indication for termination of pregnancy, regardless of the period at which this pathology was discovered.

Another reason for the decrease in BPD and LZR is the violation of the timing of fetal development. This phenomenon requires immediate medical intervention and correction, because may cause intrauterine death child.

An ultrasound examination in the third trimester of pregnancy is carried out for certain medical reasons. Typically, such a study is prescribed for a pregnant woman whose fetus has certain developmental pathologies.

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Purpose of the event

The examination during this period of pregnancy quite often coincides with the time of the third screening. Typically this examination is performed at 30-32 weeks of fetal development.

It should be noted that ultrasound at this stage of pregnancy may not be indicated for all women.

Using an ultrasound examination, doctors can determine main indicators of fetal development. This method allows for full-fledged complex fetometry. This study includes quite a few different parameters.

The 32nd obstetric week is the period when the baby’s body is almost completely formed. Such physiological feature allows you to determine quite a lot of different indicators.

Quite often, doctors prescribe an ultrasound scan. to determine the final tactics of obstetric care. For mothers who have been diagnosed at this stage breech presentation fetus, you may also need to repeat the ultrasound examination a couple of weeks before birth.

Ultrasound at -32 weeks of pregnancy can also be prescribed at multiple pregnancy. This situation occurs especially often if one of the fetuses has intrauterine development defects. In complex clinical cases, doctors may resort to expert-level ultrasound examinations.

Of course, during an ultrasound examination, it is possible to determine the sex of the unborn baby. This is usually done in cases where a pregnant woman has missed a previous screening. In most cases, the sex of the unborn child is determined in the middle of the second trimester.

Ultrasound may be performed at this stage of pregnancy different ways. Dopplerography is used to determine blood flow pathologies. Using this method, diagnostic specialists can identify various pathologies of the placental and uterine blood vessels feeding the fetus.

Doppler ultrasound has also been successfully used to identify developing heart defects in the fetus.

It should be noted that expectant mothers whose doctors discovered any abnormalities during an ultrasound scan at this stage of pregnancy should not immediately begin to panic.

One conclusion from an ultrasound test is not a diagnosis at all. The interpretation of the result must be carried out by an obstetrician-gynecologist who monitors the pregnant woman throughout the entire period of pregnancy.

Main parameters studied

The third trimester is the final stage of the baby's intrauterine development. To assess pathologies during this period of pregnancy, doctors have developed a number of different clinical indicators.

A comprehensive conclusion necessarily requires a comparison of all the results obtained.

Fetometry– basic research that is actively carried out during this period. This method allows you to evaluate the main indicators of fetal anatomy. To do this, during the examination, the ultrasound doctor evaluates several parameters. These indicators include biparietal size and fetal head circumference, as well as abdominal circumference.

Must be determined dimensions of the main tubular bones. To do this, their length is estimated. Too short tubular bones may be a sign of certain genetic diseases or emerging pathologies of the musculoskeletal system.

During the study, which is carried out at this stage of pregnancy, it is also necessary to evaluate abdominal circumference. Doctors have found that this indicator is often related to head circumference. If the baby's tummy is too large in diameter, then this may be a manifestation of a very dangerous pathology - ascites. It is characterized by the accumulation of excess fluid in the child's abdominal cavity.

At this stage of pregnancy it is possible to determine estimated baby weight. An experienced ultrasound specialist will determine how much the fetus weighs with an accuracy of tens of grams. A fetus that is too large is usually an indication for a cesarean section, especially if the mother’s pelvis is too narrow. Underweight usually occurs in one or both babies during multiple pregnancies.

Assessment of the functioning of all vital systems of the fetal body– a very important step in conducting ultrasound examination. At this time, the doctor can already perfectly determine the fetal heartbeat. An increase or decrease in this indicator below normal values ​​indicates the formation of pathologies in the functioning of the cardiovascular system. Such manifestations are especially dangerous if the mother has a history of heart disease.

Detection of heart defects is necessary. Modern techniques make it possible to identify such defects quite effectively. Pathologies in the development of heart valves and the appearance of pathological blood flows on them (regurgitation) may become an indication for surgical correction immediately after the birth of the child.

With the help of ultrasound at this stage of pregnancy it is also possible to detect various anomalies of the development of the kidneys and urinary tract in the fetus. Qualified specialists can also identify emerging pathologies of the pelvis and bladder. Along with examining the urinary system, the doctor must evaluate the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract and respiratory system in the fetus.

An examination of the baby’s spine is carried out only if there is a suspicion of genetic or chromosomal diseases. To do this, the ultrasound doctor examines a linear section of the spine. The spinous processes are also studied. If during the examination the ultrasound specialist has identified any significant defects and he has suspicions about the presence of signs of chromosomal diseases, he will refer the expectant mother for a consultation with a geneticist.

The placenta, or “baby place”, is a very important organ during pregnancy. Through it, the baby receives all the necessary nutrients, as well as oxygen. This occurs thanks to the uteroplacental blood flow system, which is common with the mother.

An assessment of the thickness of the placenta, as well as the tone and structure of its blood vessels, is necessarily carried out during research during this period of pregnancy.

During any ultrasound examination, the doctor must evaluate and basic parameters of the internal genital organs of the expectant mother. This is necessary for the timely detection of pathologies that can lead to disruption of the course of pregnancy and difficulties during childbirth.

To do this, the inner surface of the uterus is examined, and the sizes of its appendages and ovaries are determined. During an ultrasound, tumors and cysts can be detected. If these pathologies were identified in a pregnant woman even before pregnancy, then in such a situation the dynamics of their growth must be assessed. If the course of fibroids or cysts is unfavorable, careful selection of the necessary obstetric care tactics may be required.

Norms of the studied parameters

Doctors consider cephalic presentation normal. Overly active babies can change their position several times in the womb. Usually by the end of the third trimester the presentation becomes permanent. In some situations, doctors may prescribe a repeat ultrasound after 2-3 weeks.

The location of the placenta on the posterior wall is the most optimal. Doctors also determine how high this organ is located from the internal os of the uterus. If the placenta is attached to it too low, this may be a consequence of its accreta or lead to various pathologies.

During the research it is also necessary The cervix is ​​assessed. Normally, this figure should be more than 30 mm. Shortening of the cervix is ​​an extremely unfavorable symptom of isthmic-cervical insufficiency. In this case, additional sutures are required to eliminate this pathology.

It is very important during such a study to evaluate and uterine tone. Hypertonicity can lead to premature birth. This condition also contributes to the formation of placental insufficiency.

The amniotic fluid index is a very important indicator, which is also assessed during this period of pregnancy. Too much accumulation is a manifestation of polyhydramnios. Normally, this figure is 140-269 mm. A significant decrease in this indicator indicates the manifestation of oligohydramnios.

Fruit size

For the convenience of assessing intrauterine development of the fetus at this stage of pregnancy, doctors use a special table that presents all normal values ​​of the main studied indicators:

Decoding the results

Expectant mothers should remember that the interpretation of the obtained study values ​​is carried out by an obstetrician-gynecologist, and not by an ultrasound specialist. The conclusion of an ultrasound test alone does not constitute a diagnosis. To confirm or exclude pathology in the fetus, it is also necessary to compare the ultrasound report with biochemical tests that were carried out during different periods of pregnancy.

Tachycardia– an unfavorable symptom that may indicate fetal hypoxia. The development of this condition can be caused by the umbilical cord being entangled around the baby’s neck. Also, rapid heartbeat occurs with some heart defects.

Bradycardia detected at this stage in the fetus may be a consequence of a lag in intrauterine development. This symptom also appears in the presence of certain cardiovascular abnormalities. A decrease in the fetal heart rate below 130 beats per minute requires careful diagnosis to identify various heart valve defects.

At this stage of pregnancy, the maturity of the placenta is usually the first degree. At earlier stages it is zero. As pregnancy progresses, the maturity of the placenta increases. If the placenta does not “mature” for childbirth, then this is already a pathological condition.

A study of the thickness of the placenta is also required. A smaller thickness of this organ occurs when possible development placental insufficiency. A placenta that is too thick may indicate the development of edema or inflammation. Various viral and bacterial infections lead to the development of such pathological changes.

When studying fetal development in the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, the main attention is paid to measuring the biparietal size of the head, the average diameter of the chest and abdomen, as well as the length of the thigh.

It has been established that during fetal development all four of these main indicators progressively increase. However, towards the end of pregnancy, their growth rate gradually decreases. Thus, the rate of increase in the biparietal size of the head decreases from 4 mm/week at 14-15 weeks of pregnancy to 1.3 mm/week by the end of pregnancy, the length of the femur - from 4.8 mm/week to 1.7 mm/week.

In table Table 2 shows changes in fetometry data in the II and III trimesters of pregnancy, taking into account individual fluctuations.

Table 2. Main indicators of fetometry at different stages of pregnancy

Gestation period, weeks	BPR, cm	Chest diameter, cm	Abdomen diameter, cm	Thigh length, cm		Gestation period, weeks	BPR, cm	Chest diameter, cm	Abdomen diameter, cm	Thigh length, cm
14	2,4 2,1-2,8	2,4 2,0-2,9	2,4 1,9-2,9	1,2 1,0-1,5		28	7,1 6,5-7,5	7,2 6,7-7,8	7,4 6,8-7,9	5,3 4,9-5,7
15	2,8 2,5-3,2	2,8 2,3-3,2	2,8 2,3-3,2	1,6 1,1-1,8		29	7,3 6,9-7,7	7,4 6,9-8,2	7,6 7,1-8,3	5,5 5,1-5,9
16	3,2 2,8-3,6	3,2 2,7-3,7	3,2 2,6-3,6	2,0 1,6-2,4		30	7,5 7,1-8,0	7,7 7,2-8,4	7,9 7,3-8,7	5,7 5,3-6,1
17	3,6 3,2-3,9	3,6 3,1-4,0	3,6 3,2-3,9	2,4 2,0-2,8		31	7,8 7,3-8,3	8,0 7,4-8,7	8,2 7,5-9,0	5,9 5,9-6,3
18	3,9 3,6-4,3	3,9 3,5-4,4	3,9 3,5-4,3	2,7 2,3-3,0		32	8,0 7,5-8,5	8,2 7,2-9,0	8,5 7,8-9,3	6,1 5,7-6,5
19	4,3 3,9-4,7	4,3 3,8-4,8	4,3 3,8-4,7	3,0 2,7-3,4		33	8,2 7,7-8,8	8,5 7,8-9,3	8,7 8,0-9,7	6,3 5,9-6,6
20	4,7 4,3-5,0	4,6 4,2-5,2	4,7 4,3-5,1	3,3 2,9-3,6		34	8,4 7,9-9,0	8,7 8,0-9,6	9,0 8,2-10	6,5 6,1-6,8
21	5,0 4,6-5,3	5,0 4,6-5,5	5,0 4,7-5,5	3,6 3,2-4,0		35	8,6 8,1-9,2	8,9 8,2-9,8	9,2 8,4-10,5	6,7 6,2-7,1
22	5,3 4,9-5,7	5,3 4,8-5,8	5,4 5,0-5,9	3,9 3,5-4,2		36	8,8 8,3-9,4	9,2 8,4-10,2	9,5 8,6-10,8	6,9 6,4-7,3
23	5,6 5,2-6,0	5,6 5,2-6,1	5,7 5,4-6,2	4,1 3,7-4,6		37	8,9 8,5-9,6	9,4 8,6-10,5	9,7 8,7-11,2	7,1 6,5-7,4
24	5,9 5,5-6,3	6,0 5,5-6,5	6,1 5,7-6,5	4,4 4,0-4,8		38	9,1 8,6-9,8	9,5 8,8-10,8	9,9 8,8-11,5	7,3 6,6-7,6
25	6,2 5,8-6,6	6,3 5,8-6,8	6,4 6,0-6,8	4,6 4,2-5,1		39	9,3 8,8-10,0	9,8 8,9-11,1	10,1 9,9-11,9	7,4 6,7-7,8
26	6,5 6,1-6,9	6,6 6,1-7,2	6,7 6,3-7,2	4,9 4,5-5,3		40	9,4 8,9-10,4	9,9 9,0-11,5	10,3 9,1-12,2	7,6 6,8-8,0
27	6,8 6,3-7,2	6,9 6,4-7,4	7,0 6,6-7,6	5,1 4,7-5,3
Biparietal head size (BSD), average diameters of the chest and abdomen are given according to L.S. Persianinov and V.N. Demidov (1982), thigh length - according to A. N. Strizhakov and M. V. Medvedev (1984).

It is also important to calculate the estimated length of the fetus by measuring the length of the thigh to determine the degree of fetal maturity. It has been established that at the end of the intrauterine period of development, ultrasound examination can visualize the secondary ossification point in the lower epiphysis of the femur (Beclar's nucleus). With sufficient maturity of the fetus, the total length of its femur is 7 cm or more, the size of the Beclair nucleus varies between 5-7 mm. The relationship between fetal length and femur length is expressed by the following equation:

D = 0.508B 2 - 0.56B + 28.68

where D is the length of the fruit, cm; B - fetal thigh length, cm.

Using this equation makes it possible to predict the length of a newborn with an accuracy of ±1 cm in 71.4% and ±2 cm in 88.6% of observations.

Ultrasound examination is one of the most objective methods for diagnosing fetal growth retardation syndrome. Ultrasound diagnosis of developmental delay is based on a comparison of photometric data obtained during the study with normative indicators for a given period of pregnancy.

There are symmetrical and asymmetrical forms of fetal growth retardation, which are characterized by different ratios of the main indicators of fetometry, timing of occurrence and etiological factors.

With a symmetrical form, all fetometric indicators (biparietal size of the head, average diameters of the chest and abdomen, thigh length) are below the normal values ​​of individual fluctuations for the corresponding period of pregnancy.

The asymmetrical form is characterized by a predominant decrease in the size of the abdomen and chest. The biparietal size of the head and the length of the fetal femur remain within normal values.

Consequently, it is these two indicators that can serve as criteria for distinguishing between forms of fetal growth retardation syndrome.

Lag in fetometry parameters

• I degree - there is a lag in fetometry parameters by 2 weeks,
• II degree - for 3-4 weeks
• III degree - there is a decrease in size for more than 4 weeks of pregnancy.

An important indicator for assessing the effectiveness of therapy is the growth rate of fetometric indicators. The cessation of growth in indicators, as well as the presence of a symmetrical form of stage III fetal growth retardation syndrome, indicates a significant disruption of its vital functions and serves as an indication for early delivery.

The interpretation of ultrasound readings is carried out by two specialists - the doctor who conducts the ultrasound examination and the leading gynecologist. The ultrasound doctor issues a conclusion with the established gestational age and information about the existing pathologies of fetal development or their absence. The gynecologist assesses the degree of pathologies and decides what to do next for the pregnant woman.

Why do you need an ultrasound during pregnancy?

Carrying out ultrasound analysis is caused by the need to examine the child in the womb for pathologies or the absence thereof.

Ultrasound in the early stages carried out to determine the presence of pregnancy and its duration, the number of fertilized eggs. This type of research is useful because it can reveal ectopic pregnancy- a dangerous condition that requires immediate medical intervention, including surgical methods. If, using ultrasound, this pathology is detected in the early stages, the pregnant woman has the opportunity to avoid surgical intervention.

At the stage first screening (11-13 weeks) the walls of the uterus, the uterus itself and its appendages are studied, and the following indicators of embryo growth are considered:

• chorion - it contributes to the development of the placenta;
• The yolk sac is an important component for the development of the embryo.

At subsequent stages, ultrasound helps to identify existing pathologies, such as the threat of miscarriage. It is timely diagnosis of deviations that helps to eliminate them and avoid subsequent complications.

At the second screening A number of indicators are examined, which will then need to be deciphered:

• the uterus, fallopian tubes and the condition of the ovaries are examined;
• fetometry is performed, with the help of which the sizes of individual parts of the fetus are determined and their compliance with the gestational age is assessed;
• the condition of the organs connecting the child with the mother (placenta, umbilical cord) is studied, the structure of the amniotic fluid is assessed;
• The state of the child’s internal organs is analyzed.

This ultrasound may reveal some pathologies, such as oligohydramnios or too low attachment of the placenta. Thanks to ultrasound, it is possible to identify both curable and incurable fetal defects.

Third screening is carried out for the following purposes:

• identification of serious fetal malformations that cannot be detected in the early stages;
• determination of fetal presentation (breech or cephalic);
• determination of the child’s body weight;
• assessing the risk of abnormal brain formation;
• examination for the subject;
• assessment of the fetal heartbeat - rapid or rare;
• assessment of fetal growth;
• assessment of the risk of developing heart defects in the fetus.

An ultrasound in the third trimester can already show the baby's lungs and their readiness to work in a normal environment in the event of premature birth. During the last screening, much attention is paid to the skull, deviations such as cleft palate, cleft lip, etc. are monitored.

Before the birth itself, ultrasound allows you to find out some nuances that may be important for the birth process itself. In particular, only thanks to ultrasound it is possible to see the entwined umbilical cord with 100% accuracy, and this is a very important aspect in the birth process, because it can become a threat to both the baby’s health and his life.

Some pregnant women are prescribed Ultrasound more often than prescribed. Such pregnant women include those who have: diabetes mellitus, blood and lymph diseases, and negative Rh factor.

Interpretation of fetal ultrasound

Already from the 11th week of pregnancy, detection of fetal pathologies is allowed. In Russia, two main standard protocols are defined for which data is decrypted.

These studies are conducted at 11-13 weeks of pregnancy and at 19-22 weeks. In order to more accurately decipher the data, you need to know the norms of fetal development at different stages of gestation.

At this time, a detailed examination of the fetal collar zone is carried out - the area between the tissues and skin in the neck area. The thickness of the collar zone is designated by the abbreviation TVP. Normally, TVP should not exceed 2.7 mm.

The nasal bone is another parameter that is examined at this time. Normally, the bone should be visualized.

Another indicator that is measured at this stage is CTE (coccygeal-parietal size of the fetus).

For a baby at 11-13 weeks, the norm is considered to be a CTE in the range of 45-80 mm.

In addition to the CTE, the doctor evaluates the biparietal and fronto-occipital dimensions of the fetus. The first is the distance from one temple of the head to the other and is normally up to 28 mm. The second - the distance from the frontal to the occipital bone - normally does not exceed 31 mm.

* Percentile is a descriptive statistics term. The average value is indicated in the “50th percentile” column; in the “5th percentile” and “95th percentile” columns are the minimum and maximum allowable values, respectively.

Separately, the doctor evaluates the diameter of the ovum...

... and calculates the heart rate (HR).

If the indicators do not correspond to the norm, the pregnant woman is recommended to undergo a consultation with a geneticist and additional examination.

Second fetal screening

The norms of fetal development in the second trimester are shown in the table:

If there are any changes in these indicators, we can assume deviations in the development of the child in the womb. By the way, during the second screening the fetus is visible much better than during the first, so the doctor can judge not only about genetic abnormalities, but also about other defects (they are recorded separately in the examination report).

As part of the third screening, such baby parameters as height, weight, biparietal head size, hip and chest length are assessed. The standards for the listed parameters are described in the table above. Below are the normal indicators of BPR and LZR.

* Percentile is a descriptive statistics term. The average value is indicated in the “50th percentile” column; in the “5th percentile” and “95th percentile” columns are the minimum and maximum allowable values, respectively.

During the 3rd screening, the doctor evaluates condition of the placenta, its degree of maturity and thickness. The placenta is the connecting link between a mother and her baby. It remains for the entire duration of pregnancy. It exists in order to nourish the child with the necessary nutrients.

Norms of AFI (amniotic fluid index)

Fetal size by week of pregnancy

Each trimester carries out its own research and takes its own measurements. Interpretation of ultrasound indicators helps to determine the size of the child at the time of its development.

Below is a table of fetal sizes and weights by week. It is worth saying that the readings are average and may differ from reality. This is especially true in the last months of pregnancy.

A newborn may be born weighing 2300 grams, or may be born weighing 4500 grams. In both cases, he can be absolutely healthy.

Duration in weeks	Height in cm

Ultrasound examination of the placenta

Ultrasound of the placenta determines its size, echostructure, and development.

When the placenta may be hyperthickened:

with detachment;

with Rhesus conflict;

with hydrops fetalis;

mild thickening may occur in women with diabetes mellitus;

if during pregnancy the pregnant woman suffered an infectious disease.

The placenta has the same functions as the human body - it tends to originate, mature and fade. All these points are absolutely natural. But if it happens, it is a pathology.

Exists 3 degrees of placenta maturity:

Idegree of maturity. Until the 30th week of pregnancy, the placenta is at zero degree of maturity. At this time, it increases in size, feeding the baby with all the useful elements. The structure is normally homogeneous and smooth. After 30 weeks, specks and waves may appear on the placenta, which indicate the beginning of placental maturation. If the appearance of these signs is detected earlier, then this process is called “premature aging of the placenta.” In some cases, women are prescribed medication. The first stage should last up to 34 weeks.

IIdegree of maturity. This degree occurs from 34 to 37 weeks. It already looks more prominent, wavy, and ultrasound shows an echostructure with speckles. If the second degree is indicated at an earlier stage than 34 weeks, then it will be necessary to undergo more detailed diagnostics and CTG of the fetus. All tests will generally show whether there are any pathologies of the fetus. If the child suffers from hypoxia, outpatient treatment may be prescribed.

IIIdegree of maturity. This degree is established already during full-term pregnancy. The placenta prepares for childbirth and its functions decrease, its natural aging begins. There are large waves and salt deposits across the entire surface.

If the placenta does not reach its due date, then there is a risk of premature birth.

Ultrasound of the fetal umbilical cord

An umbilical cord passes between the placenta and the embryo, which connects them to each other. An ultrasound examination determines the number of vessels in the umbilical cord, their condition, and structure.

The umbilical cord has two arteries and one vein that nourish the fetus. The vein saturates the fetus with oxygen, and the arteries serve as a outlet for processed products.

The normal length of the umbilical cord should be at least 40 cm.

An ultrasound allows you to see the entanglement of the umbilical cord, if any. The establishment of entanglement is not yet a reason for cesarean section.

Ultrasound examination of amniotic fluid

During the ultrasound process, the amniotic index is calculated, which indicates the amount of water. The index is measured according to a certain scheme:

the uterus is divided into two perpendicular stripes, one goes along the navel line, the other longitudinally;

in each sector, measurements are taken of the free distance between the fetus and the uterine wall;

indicators are summed up.

Normal values ​​at week 28 will be AI readings of 12-20 cm. An increase in the value may indicate polyhydramnios, and a decrease in values, accordingly, may indicate oligohydramnios.

* Percentile is a descriptive statistics term. The average value is indicated in the “50th percentile” column; the remaining columns indicate the minimum and maximum allowable values, respectively.

In any case, one or another deviation indicates disturbances in the blood supply to the placenta.

Ultrasound of the uterus during pregnancy. Size of the uterus by week of pregnancy

When performing an ultrasound of the uterus, its size is measured, its appearance is examined for the presence of fibroids, muscle tone, and the thickness of the walls of the uterus is measured.

Before pregnancy, the thickness of the walls of the uterus is 4-5 cm; by the end of pregnancy, the uterus stretches, its walls become thinner and are approximately 0.5-2 cm.

The normal length of the cervix is ​​3.5-4.5 cm.

Marianna Artemova, obstetrician-gynecologist, especially for website

Average sizes of the fetus and uterus according to ultrasound

Ultrasound diagnosis of pregnancy.

Average size of the fertilized egg in the first trimester of pregnancy

Relationship between the coccygeal-parietal size (CPR) and the duration of pregnancy (based on the last menstrual period)

Relationship between biparietal size (BDS) of the fetal head and gestational age (based on last menstruation)

BRGP(BPR) - biparietal head size. DB - thigh length. DGrK - chest diameter. Weight - in grams, height - in centimeters, other indicators in millimeters.

The size of the fetus at 32 weeks may differ from average, which is not something to worry about if other indicators are normal.

At the 32nd week of pregnancy, fetal weight 1800 g and height 42 cm are considered average. However, this period is already quite late, the indicators in each specific case may differ greatly from the average values. This can be caused by many factors, the main ones being: heredity, the mother's health and nutrition, and the course of pregnancy.

Why do you need to determine the size of the fetus?

Knowing the fetal height and weight plays an important role in choosing the best type of delivery in the case of a large fetus, and is also important in diagnosing developmental abnormalities or malnutrition. In addition to developmental pathologies, the size of the fetus is needed to determine approximately the size of the fetus directly during childbirth.

Normal fetal size at 32 weeks of gestation

At 32 weeks, the size of the fetus may differ greatly from the average, which does not pose any threat to the life of the fetus if other indicators of the mother and child are normal. Starting from the 32nd week, the baby gains weight much faster, while his growth in length slows down. In the case of multiple pregnancies, a lag in the size of the fetuses by 1-2 weeks from the average is considered normal.

The size of the fetus at 32 weeks of gestation can be determined very approximately using formulas based on measuring the circumference of the pregnant woman’s abdomen. These indicators can be most accurately determined by ultrasound. An ultrasound will also show whether the biparietal head size is normal, which at 32 weeks of pregnancy should be 82 mm, hip length – 63 mm and chest diameter – 83 mm.

If the size of the fetus at 32 weeks differs greatly from the average in a smaller direction, this indicates fetal malnutrition. With fetal malnutrition in late pregnancy, normal growth may be maintained with insufficient body weight due to insufficient development of internal organs. Treatment of malnutrition depending on the severity of the degree of underdevelopment of the internal organs of the fetus.

Continued on the next page. page

Deciphering the ultrasound results at 32 weeks of pregnancy

Ultrasound or ultrasound helps doctors examine the fetus throughout pregnancy. Thanks to it, doctors can see not only the gender of the unborn child, but also how the fetus itself develops, and the correspondence of the embryo to the gestational age.

It must be said that all these indicators are approximate, or generally accepted; fetal development can occur completely differently, depending on physiological factors. Therefore, you should not immediately worry and panic.

This is very important when a woman is pregnant, because in the early stages you can see some pathologies that can be eliminated before pregnancy. In addition, an ultrasound allows the mother to see her unborn child, listen to how his little heart is already beating, and examine the tiny arms and legs and fingers. An ultrasound is the first meeting between mother and baby, so it is always very important and sensitive.

Such examinations should be carried out 3 times throughout the pregnancy. The gynecologist conducts routine examinations at 10-12, 20-22 and 30-34 weeks. But, if the mother expresses a desire, then an additional examination can be carried out at 28 weeks, although if the pregnancy is going well, then this does not need to be done. Examinations in the last trimester are among the most important, namely at 32 weeks.

The last ultrasound at 32 weeks of pregnancy, as already noted, is one of the most important and revealing. It is at this time that the doctor can see deviations and pathologies that may occur in the baby.

Fetal sucking movements 32 weeks.avi

The research process itself during this period is no different from the previous two. During this ultrasound, the doctor looks at the number of fetuses, its position, and measures the head, abdomen, and the length of the legs and arms. At the end of the examination, the doctor determines the exact duration of pregnancy and whether the size of the embryo corresponds to the expected date. Also, at this time, the estimated date of birth is set so that by this time the mother is completely ready.

At this stage, the doctor determines all the indicators of the placenta, its thickness, location and degree of maturation. The amount of amniotic fluid is determined, which is also very important during this period.

It is very important at this stage to find out the condition of the placenta, which will be shown by an ultrasound at 32 weeks of pregnancy. The normal distance of the placenta from the wall of the uterus is 6 centimeters. If this distance is less, it may indicate low placentation. Also, 32 weeks is the 2nd degree of placenta maturation, if this is the case, then everything is fine with the mother and she should not worry at all. Also, its thickness should not exceed 30-34 mm at this stage. After completing all the data, the doctor can see the condition of the placenta and notice whether it is peeling off, which can affect the level of oxygen supplied to the baby.

The specialist, after examining the fetus, compares the results with the development table. If the baby’s development deviates by 1 or 2 weeks, then this is not scary, this can happen.

It is very important when an ultrasound is performed at 32 weeks of pregnancy. Moreover, the doctor himself knows how to do it, it is important that the mother knows this too. Typically, abbreviations are used to denote indicators.

Decoding and normal indicators fetus at 32 weeks:

LZR or LZ (fronto-occipital part) - 95-113 mm

BDP (biparietal dimensions) – 75-89 mm

OG (head circumference) – 283-325 mm

Coolant (abdominal circumference) – 258-314 mm

Forearm and key bone – 45-53 mm and 52-62 mm, respectively

If such indicators turn out to be significantly lower, then the doctor indicates that intrauterine developmental delay and fetal growth are occurring. If this happens, then an additional course of examinations is prescribed to determine the blood flow in the uterus, umbilical cord and embryo, as well as its heartbeat. In any case, you should not decipher all the data yourself; this should be done by a specialized doctor, and only he can give the most accurate and correct conclusion about the development of the fetus, and indicate whether there are deviations and pathologies. At the ultrasound stage of the 32nd week of pregnancy, the indicators are very important and the doctor compares them not only with tabular data, but also finds the progression with which the fetus grows, so he will be able to give accurate results of its development.

It is important not only the development of the fetus, the condition of the placenta, but also the amount of amniotic fluid during this period. Often diagnoses such as oligohydramnios or polyhydramnios can be made. But, often, such diagnoses are incorrect and only very extreme cases can be serious deviations from the norm. When a woman experiences oligohydramnios, this can lead to early labor, which can affect the life of the baby. Polyhydramnios is caused by some infections, which also do not have the best effect on the child, and even more so if 32 weeks of pregnancy have already passed. Ultrasound parameters of amniotic fluid are considered normal when they show at least 2 centimeters of free water. This indicator is determined in the uterus.

A very happy and wonderful moment in the study at this stage is that the mother clearly sees her baby, can see every detail, even see small nails. Also, an ultrasound at 32 weeks allows you to take a clear photograph of the baby, his first photograph, where the face, arms, legs, and fingers will already be visible.

Thanks to rapid technological progress and new opportunities, parents have the chance to take a 3D photograph of their unborn child. This is a very important stage for most mothers, because receiving a photo of the fruit of your love before it is born is wonderful.

In any case, if there are any deviations, then you should not worry, if the entire pregnancy went well, previous ultrasounds also did not foretell trouble, which means the baby is developing in its own way, and nothing threatens him, especially since such indicators are not clear .

When the amount of amniotic fluid changes in one direction or another, they speak of polyhydramnios and oligohydramnios.

Polyhydramnios often occurs in women with infectious diseases, diabetes mellitus, multiple pregnancies, some fetal malformations, Rh sensitization (incompatibility of the blood of mother and fetus according to the Rh factor). The condition requires mandatory treatment: antibiotic therapy, drugs that improve uteroplacental blood flow.

Oligohydramnios is a pathological decrease in the amount of amniotic fluid to less than 500 ml. The causes of this condition are still unknown. If there is very little water, this may indicate a severe malformation of the fetus: the complete absence of kidneys. There is practically no treatment for oligohydramnios; all therapy is aimed at supporting the child.

The ultrasound specialist also evaluates. Normally they should be transparent. If there is turbidity, mucus, or flakes in the amniotic fluid, there is a suspicion of an infectious process. The woman is tested for hidden infections and undergoes treatment.

1. . Ultrasound examination can detect the entanglement of the umbilical cord around the fetal neck. But in the second trimester of pregnancy it does not cause alarm. The baby is in constant motion, and the umbilical cord can become untwisted.
2. . Normally, the cervix should be at least 3 cm, and only closer to childbirth it begins to shorten and smooth out. The internal opening must be completely closed. Shortening of the cervix or opening of the pharynx is a sign of isthmic-cervical insufficiency. The woman must have her cervix stitched or have an obstetric pessary inserted (a mechanical device in the form of several rings that is inserted into the vagina and protects the cervix from premature dilatation).

Third ultrasound at 32-34 weeks

The third planned ultrasound is performed at 32-34 weeks. Its tasks are:

1. Determination of fetal position and presentation. At this stage, the child is already quite large and his mobility is limited. The position in which he is during the ultrasound will remain until the end of labor. Determining these indicators is important for deciding the method of delivery. There are longitudinal, transverse and oblique positions of the fetus. With the longitudinal position of the child, a woman can give birth naturally; the transverse and oblique position are relative indications for a cesarean section. Natural birth is also possible with a normal cephalic presentation of the fetus; pelvic position is an indication for surgical delivery.
2. . These indicators help to understand how the child is developing. If the size of the fetus lags behind the average, intrauterine growth retardation may be suspected. Determination of fetal malnutrition requires initiation of treatment for the pregnant woman. If the fruit, on the contrary, is ahead of the indicators, then we can talk about a large fruit. The birth of a baby with a large weight (more than 4 kg) is likely. This can significantly complicate childbirth, so women are often offered operative delivery.
3. Study of the placenta, its size, degree of maturity and place of attachment. The migration of the placenta at this stage has already been completed; it will occupy the same position at birth. It should be taken into account that when full presentation childbirth is possible only by caesarean section. If the baby's place is low, it is possible to give birth through the vaginal birth canal, but this is fraught with a high risk of bleeding during childbirth.
4. Assessment of the quantity and quality of amniotic fluid(see topic: normal indicators of the second planned ultrasound at 20 - 24 weeks).

Normal ultrasound before childbirth

Ultrasound examination before childbirth is not mandatory for all pregnant women and is carried out selectively according to indications. Its main task is to resolve the issue of the method of delivery. During an ultrasound, the following is determined:

1. Position and presentation of the child;
2. Estimated fetal weight at birth;
3. Position the umbilical cord to avoid entanglement.

• Fetometry data at different times

The cost of an ultrasound during pregnancy in the 3rd trimester (from 27 to 40 weeks) is 400 hryvnia. The price of an ultrasound during pregnancy in the 3rd trimester includes: fetal biometry (all measurements according to protocols), ultrasound of the fetal heart, Doppler of the umbilical cord arteries and uterine arteries, ultrasound of all internal organs and brain structures. The higher price compared to ultrasound during pregnancy in the first and second trimester is due to the fact that Doppler of the fetal vessels, more detailed echography of the fetal heart and brain structures are added to the ultrasound examination protocol in the third trimester. Also, in the third trimester, it is more difficult to conduct high-quality 3D/4D imaging due to the relative decrease in the amount of amniotic fluid. These features require more time to conduct an ultrasound examination and greater qualifications of the doctor. Therefore, the price of an ultrasound in the third trimester is 100 hryvnia higher.

Your baby with a fetal ultrasound at 32 weeks of pregnancy.

The final touches just need to be completed and the masterpiece is ready! The little miracle in your belly already has real eyelashes, eyebrows and hair on your head. The lanugo-vellus-like covering on the fetal body gradually disappears, which is one of the signs of the child’s gradual maturation and preparation for extrauterine existence. By the time of delivery, lanugo may remain on the shoulders and back, this is normal.

During an ultrasound of the fetus at 32 weeks of pregnancy, hair is not visible, but very soon you will be able to see with your own eyes whether you are blonde, brown-haired or red.

Ultrasound of the fetus at 32 weeks of pregnancy weighs about 1800 g, height 29 cm from the tailbone to the crown. The baby is gaining weight very quickly now. \a month ago he was half the size, and by the time of birth the baby will grow almost twice as big!

From this time, the child gains weight much more rapidly than he grows in length. Right now it is very important to eat right, not to consume a lot of high-calorie foods (sweets, flour, etc.), since an additional 300-500 g can be added to the genetically determined weight of the child at birth if the mother eats excess calories (provided that the placenta is functioning normally) . These 300-500g plus are more difficult to give birth!

If you're carrying twins or more, weight gain is slightly slower than with a singleton pregnancy because multiple babies have less room to grow and need to share nutrients equally. During a fetal ultrasound at 32 weeks of pregnancy, if you have twins, a mandatory diagnostic step is a detailed measurement of all sizes of the two fetuses to exclude twin steal syndrome, when one of the children receives more nutrients and oxygen than the other. If a discrepancy in the size of one of the fetuses is detected by ultrasound at 32 weeks of pregnancy, detailed monitoring of the intrauterine state is carried out using Doppler. The arteries of the umbilical cord, the uterine arteries - left and right, the middle cerebral artery, and the fetal aorta are examined without fail during an ultrasound scan of the fetus at 32 weeks of pregnancy. If the indicator values ​​are satisfactory, a similar fetal ultrasound with Doppler is performed every 2-3 weeks to exclude intrauterine suffering in one of the babies.

When performing an ultrasound of the fetus at 32 weeks of pregnancy with singleton pregnancy, a mandatory screening study is to assess blood flow using Doppler in the umbilical cord arteries. If deviations from normal Doppler values ​​of the umbilical cord arteries are detected, intrauterine suffering (hypoxia) of the fetus is suspected. In this case, Doppler of all other vessels (uterine arteries, middle cerebral artery, fetal aorta) is also performed.

Fetometry (fetal size) with fetal ultrasound at 32 weeks of pregnancy is normal:

• BDP (biparietal size). With an ultrasound of the fetus at 32 weeks of pregnancy, the biparietal size is 75-89 mm.
• LZ (fronto-occipital size). Ultrasound of the fetus at 32 weeks of pregnancy shows 95-113mm.
• OG (fetal head circumference). With an ultrasound of the fetus at 32 weeks of pregnancy, the head circumference corresponds to 283-325 mm.
• The coolant (circumference of the fetal abdomen) - with ultrasound of the fetus at 32 weeks of pregnancy is 258 -314 mm.

Normal sizes of long bones during fetal ultrasound at 32 weeks of pregnancy:

• Femur 56-66mm,
• Forearm bones 45-53mm,
• Shin bones 52-60mm.

With an ultrasound of the fetus at 32 weeks of pregnancy, especially with the use of 3D-4D ultrasound during pregnancy, you can see the baby’s eyes. They are almost always closed, since in an aquatic environment it is not very pleasant for the fetus to keep its eyes open. But this does not mean that your baby sleeps all the time! The eye color of all children from this stage of pregnancy until the moment of birth is dark gray. Does it take some time for the true color to appear? from 3 weeks to 12 months, it depends on the individual.

With an ultrasound of the fetus at 32 weeks of pregnancy, you can see how the baby continues to train in order to be ready for life outside the womb very soon! He swallows amniotic fluid, performs breathing exercises for the lungs (breathing movements), sucks a finger, pushes with his legs and arms.

Subcutaneous fat continues to be deposited, and the child’s skin is no longer transparent.

An ultrasound scan of the fetus at 32 weeks of pregnancy evaluates the position of the fetus in the uterus and its position. In most cases, the fetus, at a more or less advanced stage of pregnancy, usually from 32 weeks of pregnancy, turns head down and butt up. Is this due to the fact that the uterus is pear-shaped? pear turned upside down. Therefore, the head is more comfortable below than the butt. In addition, the head is heavier, so it rushes down. Giving birth in a cephalic presentation is safer for both the baby and the mother. If at the time of birth the baby lies across or bottom down, this may be due to abnormalities in the structure of the uterus and abnormalities in the location of the placenta.

The placenta with fetal ultrasound at 32 weeks of pregnancy most often has a zero or first degree of maturity. The second degree of maturity is also the norm, provided that Doppler readings are satisfactory.

Changes in the mother's body at 32 weeks of pregnancy

After 32 weeks of pregnancy, you visit your doctor 2 times a month. Be sure to report if you notice swelling of your hands and face, sudden weight gain (more than 1 kg per week), headache, or any visual disturbances. This could be preeclampsia or late toxicosis, a very dangerous condition for the mother and her baby. The doctor will measure your blood pressure and order a urine test to detect protein.

If your baby is in a bottom-down position, you can do exercises to help the baby roll over. Consult your doctor about the possibility of performing these exercises. They are contraindicated, like any physical activity if there is a threat of premature birth.

• Lie on your back on a flat, fairly hard surface, preferably on a floor with a mat. Bend your legs at the knee joints, rest your feet on the floor and lift your buttocks up. Stand in this position for 10-15 minutes several times a day.
• Place a small radio or telephone at pubic bone level with soft, pleasant music. Your position does not matter. Try to do 3-5 such concerts a day for 15-20 minutes in different positions of your body: standing, lying, walking, sitting.
• Ask dad or someone close to you to ask the baby to roll over with his face directly approaching your stomach, so that his lips almost touch your tummy.
• Lie on your side, corresponding to your baby's back position. The baby's back is on the opposite side of the active movements of the fetus. That is, if you feel movements more on the right? you need to lie on your left side. The legs are bent at the knee joints and brought as close to the stomach as possible. Using your fingertips, lightly tap the lower abdomen for 5-7 minutes, 3-5 times a day.

At various stages of pregnancy, fetometry is regularly performed - this is determining the size of the fetus using ultrasound. The data obtained during the examination were subjected to statistical analysis over many years, and on their basis a table was compiled with normal indicators by week.

It is the main parameter for more accurately determining the due date and allows you to find out whether there are any abnormalities in the baby’s intrauterine development. Knowing what it is, young parents themselves can, after an ultrasound examination, make sure that everything is in order.

Most often, ultrasound fetometry is performed either with a transvaginal sensor or traditionally through the abdomen. In the first case, no preparation is required from the woman. Classic ultrasound will show more accurate results if you drink 500 ml of water an hour before the procedure and do not empty your bladder. When filled, it will help improve visibility in the uterine cavity. After 12 weeks, this will no longer be necessary, since this function will be performed by amniotic fluid.

The procedure is familiar to everyone: a special gel is applied to the stomach, and everything that happens in utero is displayed on a computer monitor. Modern programs allow you to automatically take measurements of the fetus, and the doctor then compares them with a general table of norms by week. This allows you to clarify the duration of pregnancy and timely identify pathologies in the development of the fetus.

Why is it called that? The term “fetometry” goes back to the Latin word “fetus” (translated as “offspring”) and the Greek “metreo” (meaning “to measure, determine”).

Norms and deviations

It is useful for parents to know what the norm is, according to the fetometry table, and when they talk about pathological deviations. Seeing a slight discrepancy between the true sizes and official indicators, many begin to panic and draw incorrect conclusions, which in most cases turns out to be completely in vain.

• the fetal data fully corresponds to the sizes in the table;
• they are behind or ahead of them by less than 2 weeks (this period is acceptable for individual characteristics);
• the indicators are not on the same line, but scattered, but this difference is no more than 1 line: these discrepancies are acceptable due to the spasmodic intrauterine development of the fetus.

Everything else is referred to as cases of deviations. It is especially dangerous when the fetometry of the fetus shows for the umpteenth time that the same size is 2 or even more lines larger or smaller than the norm.

For example, a growing head circumference may indicate, but to confirm the diagnosis, additional data obtained during Doppler and CTG, and dynamic observation will be needed.

For comparison. If all the dimensions of the fetus “fit” into the norm indicated in the fetometry table, except, for example, the length of the thigh, this is not at all an indicator of pathology. Perhaps the parents or other relatives of the child are simply the owners of very long (or, conversely, too short) legs.

If there are deviations, such serious diagnoses as "", "", are confirmed by two doctors: not only an obstetrician-gynecologist, but also a medical geneticist. They assess the genetic predisposition of the fetus and determine the causes of the identified pathology (chromosomal abnormalities, bad habits, age of the parents, intrauterine infection, etc.).

It is very important that the obstetrician-gynecologist deciphers the obtained indicators first of all: the ultrasound specialist only provides him with a summary sheet, which indicates what sizes and how much they differ from the norm of fetometry for a given stage of pregnancy. What parameters are taken into account during screenings?

Description of the main indicators

To understand what fetal fetometry data is contained in the tables by week, you need to know symbols these parameters and their interpretation.

• BDP - biparietal size, the distance between the parietal bones, describes the development of the nervous system.
• DB - thigh length.
• DG - length of the lower leg.
• DN - length of the nasal bone.
• DP - shoulder length.
• KTP - coccygeal-parietal size.
• LZR - fronto-occipital size.
• OG - head circumference.
• OG (DHA) - breast volume (chest diameter).
• OB - abdominal circumference.
• PDA - transverse diameter of the abdomen.
• PY is the fertilized egg where the baby develops.
• SDA - sagittal diameter of the abdomen (measured in the anteroposterior direction).
• TVP - thickness of the collar space.

This is the breakdown of the indicators that are most often indicated in the fetometry table. It may also include the lengths of other bones - tibia, fibula, ulna, radius, as well as the foot. But they no longer have such importance for identifying pathologies - they are used for comparison only as additional information.

Among other things, you can calculate the weight of the fetus using fetometry performed after the 20th week of pregnancy. All calculations are made automatically by the ultrasound machine itself based on the period, BPR, LZR, coolant, DB and exhaust gas. They give very accurate results and allow you to compare them using a table with standards.

I trimester

The first fetometry is prescribed at 12-13 weeks. Its goal is to identify malformations in the fetus in the early stages of pregnancy.

This ultrasound screening does not determine a specific disease, but only indicates markers that are typical for it. Based on the results obtained, additional studies may be prescribed. All suspicions that arise are confirmed or refuted by invasive laboratory techniques.

Some fetometry indicators may be specified. For example, during the first screening, specialists use a table of average CTE values, since this size is very important for identifying abnormalities in the intrauterine development of the fetus.

Doctors consider an increase in CTE for 1-2 weeks as normal options. If the pregnancy is not complicated by Rh conflict, this may mean that the baby will be born a real hero and his weight will be more than 4 kg, and this in some cases may be an indication for the procedure.

These are the important data that the first fetometry gives to specialists.

About the timing. The first ultrasound screening is carried out during this period due to the TVP indicator. Until the 11th week it is so small that it cannot be measured. And after 14 weeks, this space is filled with lymph, which distorts the results of the study. It is this parameter that is a marker of most chromosomal abnormalities of the fetus.

II trimester

The time frame for the second ultrasound fetometry must fit within the following periods:

• no earlier than 16 weeks;
• no later than 20;
• the best option is week 17, which, if abnormalities are detected, will allow more accurate additional genetic examinations;
• Sometimes an ultrasound is performed at 21-22 weeks, but these are already the most extreme and undesirable dates.

The first ultrasound screening provides the most accurate results, but often even these are not enough to make a reliable diagnosis. To do this, many indicators need to be seen in dynamics. This is precisely what the data from the second fetometry demonstrates.

It performs the following tasks:

• identify defects that cannot be determined in the first trimester;
• confirm/refute the diagnosis previously made based on the results of the first screening;
• determine the risk level of suspects;
• detect deviations in the formation of a small organism.

Fetometry of the second trimester is prescribed only to those women who, according to the results of the first ultrasound, are at risk.

Approximate ultrasound standards at this stage of pregnancy are presented in the following tables.

Height Weight

Abdominal circumference

Head circumference

Calf length

Thigh length

Humerus length

Forearm bone length

If for some reason the timing of the second fetometry was shifted, you can use a table with average indicators from 21 to 27 weeks:

After studying the data from the second fetometry, the gynecologist can refer the woman for a consultation with a geneticist or independently prescribe invasive techniques to diagnose suspected pathologies. In cases where the diagnosis is nevertheless confirmed, a decision is made on the further fate of the pregnancy.

If therapeutic adjustment is not possible, artificial induction of labor is performed (read about artificial childbirth). If the detected pathology is reversible, treatment is prescribed as quickly as possible to save the baby.

III trimester

The third fetometry can be prescribed on any day of the third trimester of pregnancy. Optimal time are 32-33 weeks. Since at this stage it is close to childbirth, ultrasound is performed more carefully than before.

For example, the baby’s face is already clearly visible, which makes it possible to identify pathologies such as a cleft palate or cleft lip. The doctor finds out how developed the fetus is in accordance with the gestational age.

It is usually not recommended to conduct such studies after 34 weeks. However, there are cases when they are prescribed immediately before birth (at 37-38 weeks) in order to make a final decision about a caesarean section or.

Table of average values ​​of the third fetometry by week

If there are deviations at this stage, the woman is offered hospitalization. If the obtained readings change negatively, doctors may decide to induce premature labor.

Helpful information. Everyone around (women, and often doctors themselves) likes to talk about the importance of the first two fetometry and the optionality of the third. But only it allows you to make the right decision on how to carry out the upcoming birth with minimal losses for mother and baby.

The information from the fetal fetometry tables is for informational purposes only. It is not recommended for parents to draw any independent conclusions by comparing the results obtained with the norms, because they do not always reflect reality and require mandatory interpretation by specialists.