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Dopplerometry in pregnancy
Last reviewed: 03.07.2025

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Doppler ultrasound during pregnancy is a procedure that will allow the gynecologist to learn about the condition of the woman and the baby. Let's look at all the nuances of this procedure: when to do Doppler ultrasound and how it is performed, where it can be done and how much it costs. So, let's take everything in order.
Doppler ultrasound provides the gynecologist monitoring the pregnancy with more information about the condition of the mother and child. Thus, Doppler ultrasound will tell about the blood supply to the placenta and uterus, as well as whether there is a threat of gestosis, that is, late toxicosis. How the placenta is located, whether there are any disorders in it that can provoke its premature detachment. Doppler ultrasound during pregnancy will also tell about the condition of the baby, about the vessels in the umbilical cord and whether there are signs of a heart defect or blood supply disorder.
The basis of Doppler ultrasound is the Doppler effect, i.e. the process of changing sound frequencies that are reflected from a moving object (in this case, blood cells). Doppler ultrasound can be performed at any stage of pregnancy. The procedure is very simple, but informative, and also safe for both the baby and the mother.
Doppler ultrasound should only be performed by a qualified doctor who can decipher the readings. As for deciphering, it is performed on modern modules of ultrasound examination devices. Doppler ultrasound is often performed together with a standard ultrasound examination.
Ultrasound during pregnancy with Doppler
Ultrasound with Doppler during pregnancy is performed for all women, since such a study allows for a more detailed study of the woman's condition and monitoring of the pregnancy. The results obtained from ultrasound with Doppler will help to monitor the pregnancy in more detail, control it and protect it from disorders and complications. It is absolutely safe for both the mother and the child. Ultrasound with Doppler allows you to find out about:
- The course of pregnancy, from the first months until birth.
- The location of the umbilical cord of the fetus and the risk of cord entanglement.
- Blood supply to the uterus.
- The state of the placenta.
The results of the study are presented in a table with abbreviations, which we will consider below.
How is Dopplerometry performed during pregnancy?
The gynecologist decides how Doppler ultrasound is performed during pregnancy, and it is he who sets the time for the examination. The first procedure is performed at 9-13 weeks of pregnancy. The examination allows you to accurately determine the gestational age and, if necessary, find out how the first months of bearing a baby are proceeding. The advantage of Doppler ultrasound in the first trimester of pregnancy is that the results of the analysis can determine the threat of miscarriage.
The second procedure is performed at 15-25 weeks of pregnancy. The main goal of the study at this period is to find out how the baby is developing, its size, the correct location and development of organs and the state of the placenta. The third mandatory Doppler ultrasound during pregnancy is performed at 30-36 weeks of pregnancy. The purpose of the study is to find out whether everything is okay with the baby and how ready the woman's body is for the upcoming birth. If the pregnancy is complicated, the gynecologist may prescribe additional Doppler ultrasound sessions.
Doppler ultrasound during pregnancy is a great opportunity to learn more about pregnancy and its progress. For a woman and her future child, this is an opportunity to learn in time about complications and pathologies that can threaten both the health of the mother and the baby. And this is a great chance to cure in time and take measures for the normal development and birth of the baby.
Doppler ultrasound norms during pregnancy
Doppler ultrasound norms during pregnancy are an indicator that the pregnancy is proceeding without any disturbances or deviations. But do not worry if Doppler ultrasound showed deviations from the norm. Deviations will allow the gynecologist to correct the course of pregnancy and warn the woman of possible complications. Such a study as Doppler ultrasound allows you to detect and prevent pathologies and deterioration of the baby's development. If the results of the procedure showed that everything is normal, then this means that the pregnancy is proceeding well, the baby is receiving all the necessary nutrients.
Doppler ultrasound norms during pregnancy show the process of child development. Based on deviations from the norm, the doctor can adjust the course of pregnancy, treat the woman, prescribe medications and decide how the birth will proceed so that the baby is healthy.
We present to you a summary table of Doppler norms:
Survey results |
Norm, % |
Fetal impairment, % |
Cardiotocography-pathology |
15.2 |
84.8 |
Cardiotocography-norm |
55.6 |
44.4 |
Cardiotocography-pathology |
0 |
100 |
Cardiotocography-normal |
91.7 |
8.3 |
Cardiotocography-pathology |
9.3 |
90.7 |
Doppler norm |
65.5 |
34.5 |
Doppler pathology |
16.7 |
83.3 |
Decoding Doppler ultrasound during pregnancy
Decoding Doppler ultrasound during pregnancy is the work of a professional gynecologist who is familiar with this procedure. In order for expectant mothers to be able to independently find out how Doppler ultrasound went and what the results mean, we offer a decoding of the meanings:
AO — aorta; AV — aortic valve; PV — pulmonary vein; PA — pulmonary artery; PV — pulmonary valve; LA — left atrium; LV — left ventricle; MV — mitral valve IAS — interatrial septum; IVS — interventricular septum; IVS — inferior vena cava; RV — right ventricle; TV — tricuspid valve HV — hepatic vein; AA — aortic arch; aLAO — abdominal aorta; AW — anterior wall of the left ventricle; DAO — descending thoracic aorta; LCA — left coronary artery; RA — right atrium; ATL — anterior leaflet of the tricuspid valve; aAO — ascending aorta; CS — coronary sinus; LCC — left coronary leaflet; AML — anterior mitral valve leaflet; LSA — left subclavian artery; LCA — left carotid artery; LVOT — left ventricular outflow tract; LPA — left pulmonary artery; PF — pericardial fluid; NCC — noncoronary aortic valve leaflet PML — posterior mitral valve leaflet; PM — papillary muscle; RCA — right coronary artery; PW — posterior wall of the left ventricle; RPA — right pulmonary artery; RCC — right coronary leaflet of the aortic valve; RVOT — right ventricular outflow tract; RSPV — right superior pulmonary vein; SVC — superior vena cava. RVW — right ventricular wall;
All the above values may differ, as it depends on the drugs used. Therefore, you can only find out the exact results and their interpretation from a gynecologist.
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Doppler ultrasound indicators during pregnancy
Doppler ultrasound indicators during pregnancy allow you to learn about the course of pregnancy. Having received the Doppler ultrasound results, knowing the decoding of the indicators and their norm, the gynecologist makes a prognosis for the outcome of pregnancy and, if necessary, takes measures for its most favorable outcome.
We invite you to consider the normal Doppler ultrasound parameters during pregnancy.
Pregnancy period |
SDO IR |
Uterine arteries | |
20-23 weeks |
Up to 2.2 up to 0.56 |
24-27 weeks |
Up to 2.15 up to 0.53 |
28-31 weeks |
Up to 2.12 up to 0.54 |
32-35 weeks |
Up to 2.14 up to 0.52 |
36-41 weeks |
Up to 2.06 up to 0.51 |
Spiral arteries | |
20-23 weeks |
Up to 1.73 up to 0.39 |
24-27 weeks |
Up to 1.73 up to 0.43 |
28-31 weeks |
Up to 1.75 up to 0.38 |
32-35 weeks |
Up to 1.70 up to 0.42 |
36-41 weeks |
Up to 1.67 up to 0.40 |
Umbilical artery | |
20-23 weeks |
Up to 3.9 up to 0.79 |
24-27 weeks |
Up to 3.82 up to 0.74 |
28-31 weeks |
Up to 3.17 up to 0.71 |
32-35 weeks |
Up to 2.82 up to 0.63 |
36-41 weeks |
Up to 2.55 up to 0.62 |
Fetal midcerebral artery | |
20-23 weeks |
Up to 3.9 up to 0.79 |
24-27 weeks |
Up to 3.82 up to 0.74 |
28-31 weeks |
Up to 3.17 up to 0.71 |
32-35 weeks |
Up to 2.82 up to 0.63 |
36-41 weeks |
Up to 2.55 up to 0.62 |
Future mothers should know that the Doppler norm is an indicator of the normal development of the baby. Most often, deviations from the norm and complications appear in the late stages of pregnancy. Therefore, it is necessary to regularly conduct Doppler and ultrasound examinations, which will help to find out about the state of the fetal blood circulation. If there is a threat, the gynecologist can send the pregnant woman for treatment in a hospital. How Doppler Doing During Pregnancy
Doppler measurement is similar in its specificity to an ultrasound examination, the only difference is in the technology of the device and the results of the examination. How do Doppler measurement is done during pregnancy - the expectant mother is placed on a couch, a special conductor gel is applied to her tummy. After this, the gynecologist runs the device and displays the examination results on the screen.
Please note that Doppler ultrasound is completely safe for both mother and baby. Therefore, women who are just planning this procedure should not worry.
Price of Doppler ultrasound during pregnancy
The price of Doppler ultrasound during pregnancy depends on the type of examination. The average cost of the procedure is from 60 to 200 hryvnia. The cost directly depends on the clinic where the examination will be carried out, the qualifications of the doctor and the period of pregnancy.
In the first trimester of pregnancy and in the last weeks, the procedure requires special care and professionalism of the doctor who is engaged in decoding the results. Therefore, during this period of pregnancy, the price of Doppler ultrasound is slightly overpriced.
Where to get Doppler ultrasound during pregnancy?
If you are looking for where to do Doppler ultrasound during pregnancy, you should discuss this issue with your gynecologist who is monitoring your pregnancy. As a rule, ultrasound examinations are carried out in specialized medical centers. Such institutions employ professional qualified specialists who use only modern equipment for Doppler ultrasound or ultrasound examination of pregnant women.