Patient Profile
- Name: Megan
- Age: 40
- Gestational Age: 26 weeks
- History: Previous preeclampsia; twin pregnancy
Clinical Scenario
Given Megan’s increased risk profile, particularly with a twin gestation and prior preeclampsia, a Doppler ultrasound was ordered to evaluate uterine artery resistance and umbilical cord flow in both fetuses.
Imaging Approach
- Uterine artery Doppler to detect placental insufficiency
- Individual umbilical artery Doppler scans for each fetus
- Monitoring for signs of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR)
Outcomes
- Initial Scan: Identified elevated uterine artery resistance, indicating a mild risk of preeclampsia recurrence. Umbilical cord flow for both babies remained normal.
- 30-Week Follow-Up: Doppler showed early reduced flow to Baby A, prompting closer monitoring and modifications to her care plan.
- Final Outcome: Megan delivered at 36 weeks. Baby B was healthy, while Baby A required short-term NICU monitoring due to mild growth restriction.
Key Findings
Doppler ultrasound enabled early detection of placental abnormalities and guided timely intervention. Without these assessments, fetal growth issues may have gone unnoticed, demonstrating the value of proactive ultrasound monitoring in high-risk twin pregnancies.
