Dublin 2 Ultrasound Pregnancy Scan Clinic Releases Miscarriage Diagnosis Guidelines

Dublin, Leinster ( openpr ) April 18, 2011 - The Dublin 2 medically led ultrasound pregnancy scan clinic, Merrion Fetal Health, has released an overview of their miscarriage diagnosis guidelines. The entire document for these guidelines can be found on their website.

Merrion Fetal Health follows the guidelines of The National Maternity Hospital and the Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists to ensure that misdiagnosis does not occur. These guidelines err on the side of caution and outline strict criteria for making the diagnosis of miscarriage.

What are these criteria to make a diagnosis of miscarriage?

The RCOG miscarriage guidelines is an 18 page document however some of the following information encompasses the main criteria within the document.

An ultrasound should be carried out by appropriate trained personnel with appropriate ultrasound equipment (including transvaginal probes). In many cases a fetus/embryo with a regular heartbeat will be identified in a healthy pregnancy sac within the womb. The ultrasound allows measurement of the size of the fetus and the sac to determine how far on the pregnancy is. However it is also often the case that we identify an embryo/fetus in a pregnancy sac but cannot see a heartbeat and this may mean the pregnancy is too early or not viable.

Because of the difficulties in seeing a heartbeat in very early pregnancies there are strict criteria which we follow to ensure that we do not diagnose a miscarriage in what could be a healthy but very early pregnancy where it is not possible to see the heartbeat yet. Thus, if the pregnancy sac is less than 20mm in size or if the size of the embryo/fetus is less than 6mm and a heartbeat cannot be seen, a definitive diagnosis cannot be made and the scan should be repeated in 7 to 10 days time.

Why is it necessary to sometimes perform an internal (transvaginal) scan?

An internal scan allows better visualisation of the womb and its contents. This is because the soundwaves do not have to travel far because the tip of the probe is inserted very close to the womb and gives a much better picture than an abdominal (transabdominal) scan.

I have been told I have a miscarriage, but I still feel pregnant. What does this mean?

This is a very common scenario because the hormones that are released by an early pregnancy that is failing can still cause pregnancy symptoms.

I have been told I have a miscarriage, but my pregnancy test is still positive. What does this mean?

Again, the hormones that are released in early pregnancy can give a positive pregnancy test. These hormones can stay in the blood for some time after the pregnancy has failed and will give a positive pregnancy test as these hormones are released into the urine which then gives a positive pregnancy test. This can occur for up to 3 weeks following any type of miscarriage.

Are all scanning staff appropriately qualified in Merrion Fetal Health?

The sonographers and obstetricians in Merrion Fetal Health are all highly qualified in scanning and are very experienced.

About Merrion Fetal Health

The clinic, Merrion Fetal Health, is a consultant led centre of excellence, with a team of highly experienced sonographers and clinic co-ordinators. This press release is only part of the information available on their website.

The clinic offers ultrasound for all stages of pregnancy including early pregnancy scans ( http://www.merrionfetalhealth.ie/early-dating-pregnancy-scans/ ), anatomy and growth scans, nuchal fold scans, as well as gynaecological and fertility scans being available on referral.

###

2nd Floor
60 Lower Mount Street
Dublin, Dublin , Ireland

This release was published on openPR.