Color Doppler Test Pregnancy: Price, Purpose & Timing [2024]
Color Doppler test in pregnancy identifies pregnancy and blood vessel-related issues. It is also known as Doppler pregnancy ultrasound, fetal doppler, and USG Color doppler pregnancy. A Doppler pregnancy scan measures the blood flow through the umbilical cord and around different organs of the baby’s body, such as the brain and heart. Doppler pregnancy test cost ranges from Rs 1500 to Rs 3000 in India.
The Doppler scan also figures out whether the pregnancy is high risk or low risk. This test can estimate blood flow rate by measuring the rate of change in its pitch (frequency). It is a painless and non-invasive(involving no surgical/cuts/incisions) test.
Test details in Brief
| Also known as | Doppler pregnancy, Doppler pregnancy scan, Fetal Doppler |
| Purpose | Study blood flow in the fetus during pregnancy |
| Preparation | No special preparation is required |
| Fasting | Fast for 6 to 12 hours before the test |
| Reporting time | 30 to 60 mins or more. |
| Cost | Rs 1500 to Rs 3000 |
Doppler pregnancy test cost in India
Doppler pregnancy test costs in India range from Rs 1500 to Rs 3000. However, the actual price will depend on the Doppler centre, Radiologist, City and Doppler machine quality. Bookmerilab partners with more than 80 Doppler test centres in India and offer up to 30% discount on Doppler pregnancy test.
Below the table list the prices at popular centres and major cities
Cost at popular labs
| Doppler Pregnancy Test Centres | Test Price |
|---|---|
| Dr Lal Path labs | Rs 2900 |
| Orbit Imaging & Pathlab | Rs 2400 |
| Mahajan Imaging | Rs 4000 |
| Aarthi Scan | Rs 1900 |
| Vijaya Diagnostics | Rs 2700 |
Cost in different cities
You can click on the following link to get the diagnostic centre list and doppler pregnancy test costs in your city.
| City | Price |
|---|---|
| Doppler pregnancy test cost in Delhi | Rs 1625 to 3600 |
| Doppler pregnancy test cost in Mumbai | Rs 1350 to 1750 |
| Doppler pregnancy test cost in Bangalore | Rs 1400 to 2304 |
| Doppler pregnancy test cost in Hyderabad | Rs 1440 to 2080 |
| Doppler pregnancy test cost in Gurgaon | Rs 1440 to 3515 |
| Doppler pregnancy test cost in Chennai | Rs 1625 to Rs 2000 |
Purpose of the Doppler pregnancy test
There are the following purposes of the Doppler pregnancy test:
- To check for blockage/clotting in arteries and veins of the unborn baby.
- Doppler pregnancy test identifies the condition of the baby’s heart. It can detect septal defect abnormal findings and patent ductus arteriosus.
- To detect the defects in the shape & size of the baby’s organs.
When does Doctor recommend a Doppler pregnancy test?
Doppler test in pregnancy is recommended in the following conditions, in case of
- Mother has high blood pressure.
- Retarded growth of the fetus.
- A mother who has diabetes
- Twin or multiple pregnancies.
- History of giving birth to a baby having congenital heart diseases.
- Frequent miscarriages in the mother.
The procedure of the Doppler pregnancy test
There are the following steps of a Doppler pregnancy scan:
- While undergoing a Doppler pregnancy scan, a technician will ask you to lie on the examination table with the exposed site.
- A gel is spread on the skin over the exposed part.
- A transducer device is moved to the area where the gel is applied.
- The transducer device sends sound waves into the body.
- The Doppler’s sound waves are recorded and are represented in an image or graphical form.
- After the procedure is completed, the gel is wiped off, and you will be handed the result in 30 to 60 minutes.
- The doctor read the film and interpreted the results by looking at the pattern of the wave changes.
Preparations for a doppler pregnancy test
The following measures shall be taken before the doppler test in pregnancy.
- The doctor may tell the women to fast for 6 to 12 hours before the test.
- Women should avoid cigarette smoking and consumption of tobacco for about 2 to 4 hours before the Doppler test procedure.
- Potential mothers should wear comfortable lower body garments. These garments shall not be very tight.
Risks
There are no risks associated with a Doppler test. The test is harmless to the mother and fetus.
Different Types of Doppler pregnancy tests
- The Colour doppler pregnancy test identifies movement, direction, and speed of blood flow.
- The power doppler pregnancy test is the upgraded version of the colour doppler. It does not show the direction of blood flow.
- Duplex doppler pregnancy test takes the image of the blood vessel and records the data in a graph.
- Continuous-wave doppler pregnancy test uses continuous sound waves that measure the accurate speed of blood flow.
- Spectral doppler pregnancy test shows a graphical image of blood flow and shows if there is any blockage of blood.
Conditions under which these tests are recommended
Uterine artery doppler pregnancy scan:
The uterine artery provides blood and nutrition to the mother’s womb. This artery becomes soft and sensitive during pregnancy and can easily get affected.
In conditions like low lying placenta and pre-eclampsia, the blood supply to the womb gets affected. A uterine artery doppler scan is used to find such abnormalities.
Umbilical artery test
It is recommended when the growth of the baby is not sufficient.
In Intrauterine growth retardation and rhesus antibody complication, the doctor may recommend an umbilical artery doppler scan.
Middle cerebral artery test
This test is not commonly used in day-to-day practice. The physician may suggest this test to diagnose brain blood supply-related disorders in a fetus and sometimes even in rhesus antibody complications.
Ductus venosus doppler pregnancy test
This test is advised in the early weeks of pregnancy to look at the condition of the heart of the baby. This helps in identifying the presence of any chromosomal disorder in the fetus. This is rarely used among all the doppler pregnancy scans.
Timings of Doppler Pregnancy Test
Generally, during pregnancy, a woman needs to undergo scans through different phases of pregnancy.
During Early Pregnancy (8th to 12th Week)
A routine Doppler pregnancy test is required in the early months of pregnancy. This routine test helps in knowing the condition of the womb and the baby’s heartbeat.
During the 9th Month of Pregnancy
During the 9th Month, this test determines whether the baby is in a breech position or not. When a baby has its feet or bottom facing downwards in the womb, they are in the breech position. This position may lead to pregnancy complications.
How is it different from other scans?
In a normal ultrasound scan, high-frequency sound reflects from the tissues in the body. A two- dimensional image is shown with no indication of movement.
Doppler ultrasound test shows the continuous change in sound waves frequency of the blood moving in the arteries. Doppler test detects the heartbeat of the fetus, unlike other scans.
Doppler Pregnancy Results
Following is the labelled diagram of a sonograph.
The Doctor carefully interprets the doppler test results, and the following conclusions can be made.
- The flow of the blood within fetal and umbilical arteries is measured with the help of a resistant index or pulsatility index.
- The blood velocity value is useful in predicting the probable associated fetal cardiac disorders or the presence of fetal distress.
For instance, the high velocity of blood within the umbilical artery indicates high blood flow resistance, which may be due to compromised fetal-placental circulation. This can result from various conditions such as fetal anomaly, restricted growth, fetal distress, and fetal loss in extreme circumstances.
What do results signify?
If the outcome of the results is not normal, then it might indicate the following issues in the baby:
- A clot or blockage in an artery.
- Narrowed blood vessels.
- An aneurysm is a balloon-like bulge in the arteries. It causes stretching and thinning of arteries. The thinned arteries may further rupture and may lead to life-threatening bleeding.
- Abnormal blood circulation in an unborn baby.
Sample Report
Below is a sample report for a 9th month Doppler pregnancy test by one of our partner labs.
Frequently asked questions
An ultrasound test usually takes about 10 to 30 mins. In some cases, it may take longer.
These sound waves do not cause any harm to human organs, blood or blood vessels. Ultrasound waves are beyond the human range of hearing.
Yes, you can see the result. The screen is usually directed toward the sonographer. However, if you wish to see the images, you can tell the sonographer to turn the screen towards you.
No. The Doppler pregnancy test usually causes no harm to the mother.
References:
- https://www.webmd.com/dvt/doppler-ultrasound-what-is-it
- https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/doppler-ultrasound/
- https://www.fetalhealthfoundation.org/blogs/what-are-doppler-ultrasound-tests/
Dr Bhumika Rana
Dr Bhumika Rana is a Bachelor of Ayurvedic Medicine & Surgery (B.A.M.S.). Earlier She was an Operation Specialist at AIIMS Delhi & a Medical officer with the National health mission.