Final answer:
Ultrasonography assesses fetal well-being by measuring five criteria and assigning scores, which indicate how well the baby is doing. Ultrasound is preferred due to its safe, non-invasive nature and ability to provide real-time images essential for fetal assessment.
Step-by-step explanation:
Through ultrasonography, the biophysical profile assesses fetal well-being by measuring five criteria: skin color, heart rate, reflex, muscle tone, and respiration. Each criterion is assigned a score of 0, 1, or 2, with scores taken at 1 minute after birth and again at 5 minutes after birth. High scores out of a possible 10 indicate the baby has transitioned well from the womb, whereas lower scores may indicate the baby is in distress.
Ultrasound imaging is the technique of choice for studying fetal growth and development because it is the least invasive method, does not use ionizing radiation, and provides real-time images that are critical for assessing the health and development of the fetus. The high-frequency sound waves used in ultrasonography generate an echo signal, which is then converted into an image showing both the shape and density changes within the body.
Sound is most strongly reflected at places where density changes are greatest, which is why ultrasound is superb for monitoring fetal development. The non-invasive nature of the technology and the ability to create 3D images aids in the emotional bonding between parents and their unborn child, and it's also crucial for checking fetal heart function and identifying any potential anomalies.