What is a Doppler scan?
A Doppler scan measures the blood flow through the vessels in different parts of your baby's body, such as his brain and heart. This helps to show whether he's getting all the oxygen and nutrients he needs via the placenta.
What will happen during a Doppler scan ?
Your sonographer will check different areas, depending on what information she needs about your pregnancy and baby.
Uterine arteries are the vessels that carry blood to your womb (uterus). A uterine artery Doppler scan checks that enough blood is reaching the placenta.
If your baby seems to be growing slowly, is affected by rhesus antibodies, or you're carrying twins, you may be offered a different type of Doppler.
Umbilical artery Doppler looks at the blood flow from your baby, via the umbilical cord, to the placenta. This is a very safe and effective way of finding out whether your baby is getting everything he needs from the placenta. If any issues are found during an umbilical artery Doppler scan, your obstetrician may request additional Doppler scans to look at the blood flow in your baby’s brain and his aorta, which is the main artery in his body.
Alternatively, she may ask that you visit her a couple of times a week for more umbilical artery Doppler scans. These will check that your baby's healthy and help you and your doctor to decide the best time and place for you to give birth.
If any of the scans show that your baby isn't getting enough nutrients or oxygen, your obstetrician may advise you to give birth early.