Sonography is a diagnostic medical procedure that uses high frequency sound waves to produce dynamic visual images of organs, tissues, or blood flow inside the body(Doppler)
There are several areas of specialization in the field of Sonography, which includes Obstetrics/Gynecology, Breast, scrotal, Abdominal, Cardiac, Vascular, musculoskeletal and Neurosonography.
Sonography is increasingly being used in the detection and treatment of heart disease, heart attack, and vascular disease that can lead to stroke. It is also used to guide needles for tissue biopsies taken for testing under a microscope.
A diagnostic medical Sonographer is a highly skilled specialist Radiographer or any well trained and certify Doctor/Nurse who uses specialized equipment to create images of structures inside the human body that are used for medical diagnostics purposes.The significance of diagnostic ultrasound procedures are numerous.But for the purpose of this post,I will only concentrate on Obstetrics(Pregnancy scan)
From my practice experience and interaction with patients,most of them believe that pregnancy scan is only meant to check Gender(sex) and presentation(position) of the fetus(Baby). I will like to correct that impression by stating that scan does more than the point mentioned above.
THE FOLLOWING ARE THE SEQUENCES FOR OBSTETRIC SCANS
1.Early Obstetric scan(Done between 5 weeks and 8 weeks to confirm cyesis(pregnancy)and its location,either intra-uterine and extra-uterine(Ectopic).
2.The second sequence is strongly advised at between 12-13 weeks Gestation Age to rule out(check for)Nuchal transluscency thickness,synonymous with DOWNE'S SYNDROME.
3.The Third sequence of scan is done at 20 weeks GA for final fetal anomaly(body abnormality).At this time the baby is completely formed,so it will be easy to pick any abnormality.
4.Sequence 4 is done at between 36 and 37 weeks(close to term) to asses for final fetal(baby) presentation and lie,prior to delivery.
However,scans can also be done as many times as possible in between the 2 and 4 sequences for fetal well being,Placenta location,Amniotic fluid volume,Fetal gross body activity/Heart Rate and gender.
The challenge posed to ultrasound practice in Nigeria, is the influx of quacks and untrained personels out there doing all sorts of unprofessional practices and issuing fake and complicated reports that are detrimental to the patients management,thereby defeating the essence of scan.
I strongly call on Radiographers Registration Board of Nigeria(The Regulatory body for Radiology and Imaging practices,ultrasound inclusive)to declare a state of Emergency against unqualified personels, in order to safe the life of Innocent Nigerians who suffer consequences arising from misdiagnosis.

Remain Blessed and always ensure that you patronise a licensed professional for your scans.
For more information,call me on 07037676951.