If you suspect you are pregnant, there are a number of tests that will provide a result in less than a day. These pregnancy tests scan the urine for a hormone that indicates pregnancy. The Mayo Clinic recommends taking a quick-result test a week...
Ultrasound machines work by emitting very high frequency sound waves at 3.5 to 7 MHz, or megahertz. Sound waves change wavelength as they cross the line between mediums. With an ultrasound machine, a single beam of sound is emitted into the...
Ultrasound is frequently performed during pregnancy to assess the health and growth of the baby in the womb. Most women who have their prenatal exams in a hospital setting will undergo at least one ultrasound, and many mothers-to-be will have more...
A fetal, or pregnancy, ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to create an image of your baby, your uterus and the placenta. Ultrasound can determine pregnancy, detect potential problems with a pregnancy or the baby and provide estimated...
The hydroxy iminodiacetic acid scan, or HIDA scan, is also known as a cholescintigraphy scan. This test measures the function of your liver and gallbladder with a small amount of dye or radioactive tracer. Once the tracer has been injected, a...
Most women expect to receive at least one ultrasound during pregnancy. While the couple expecting a child look forward to the ultrasound as an opportunity to see their baby for the first time and often to learn whether they are having a girl or a...
In coronary heart disease, plaque consisting of fat, cholesterol and calcium builds up inside the coronary arteries and forms blockages that diminish or prevent blood supply to the heart. A test of the amount of calcium in the coronary arteries...
You might scan the side of your bottle of prenatal vitamins and feel like they've got you covered nutritionally, no matter what or how little you eat. The truth is, prenatal vitamins cannot replace food because your body also needs calories, fat,...
Ultrasound options in pregnancy are no longer limited to the grainy, still 2-D images. As of 2010, 3-D and 4-D images are available that give a better picture of the unborn child's features and behavior. Sometimes called dynamic 3-D ultrasound,...
Expecting a baby is exciting for many parents. The thought of either bringing your first child into the world or adding another child to your family can be overwhelming and emotional. With today's technology, it is often possible to determine...
Many medical personnel suggest having an ultrasound around 20 weeks of pregnancy to check for possible physical problems with the baby, or the placenta or fluid inside the uterus. While you can refuse a scan around 20 weeks, most expectant parents...
A normal pregnancy lasts 38 to 42 weeks, during which a single, fertilized egg grows into a full-term fetus, ready for life outside the womb. The growth that takes place before birth progresses through a set of precisely timed and ordered stages...
Fetal ultrasound is a common test using sound waves to measure progress and detect potential abnormalities of a developing fetus. Until recently, obstetric ultrasound was considered safe, the gold standard in fetal diagnostics. In addition to...
The almond-shaped ovaries stand guard on either side of the uterus, releasing eggs and hormones when needed. Occasionally, women develop a cyst or fluid-filled sac on one of their ovaries. Many ovarian cysts cause no problems and go away on their...
Pregnancy is a time of happy anticipation, but it can also be a time of worry. Every mother is concerned about her baby's health and the sound of a healthy heartbeat brings great relief. Relief can easily turn to anxiety if you think the heartbeat...
Having an estimate of your baby's prenatal weight can be useful, as this information can provide knowledge about possible birth defects, developmental problems or future delivery complications. Your doctor may base the method or timing of delivery...
Approximately 10 million people in the US have tried crystal meth, a form of methamphetamine, at least once, according to the National Institute of Drug Abuse Research Report: Methamphetamine Abuse and Addiction. According to data from the...
A normal pregnancy is counted as 40 weeks, and is counted from day one of the last menstrual period. At the time of a missed period, a woman is considered to be four weeks pregnant. Early signs of pregnancy can only be detected by blood tests or...
From the moment you get that positive result on the pregnancy test, you have to worry not only about your own safety, but also of your unborn child's. Everything from the chemicals you ingest to the foods you eat can affect your baby's...
