01/12/2025
Umbilical Artery Doppler – When Do We Use It?
The umbilical artery Doppler is a key tool in monitoring placental function and assessing baby’s wellbeing, especially in pregnancies where extra surveillance is needed.
At Grow Obstetrics & Gynaecology, we may recommend an umbilical artery Doppler when:
🔹 Suspected Fetal Growth Restriction (FGR)
– Low estimated fetal weight or abdominal circumference
– Poor interval growth
– Concerns for placental insufficiency
🔹 Maternal complications that affect the placenta
– Pre-eclampsia
– Gestational hypertension
– Reduced fetal movements
– When there are signs suggesting reduced oxygen or nutrient delivery to the baby
🔹 Complicated twin pregnancies
Especially monochorionic twins, where Doppler helps monitor for:
– Selective fetal growth restriction
– Uneven placental sharing
– Early signs of compromise
Why it matters
Umbilical artery Dopplers help us understand how efficiently the placenta is working — guiding decisions about timing of delivery and ensuring the safest outcomes for both mum and baby.
