The Step-By-Step Process of a Follicular Scan: What to Expect

For women facing challenges with conception, understanding ovulation patterns is key. Follicular scans play a crucial role in monitoring fertility and increasing the chances of a successful pregnancy. It helps fertility specialists make informed decisions and devise a personalised treatment plan. If you are about to start your fertility journey, you must be aware of the follicular scan procedure and the prerequisites before starting the same. 

What is a Follicular Scan?

A follicular scan is a series of ultrasound examinations that aid in tracking the growth and development of ovarian follicles. It is mainly carried out to assess egg maturity and monitor ovulation. It is a fertility assessment scan that helps doctors understand the ovulation cycle. It helps to know the optimal time of conception, especially when you opt for artificial reproductive technologies. It is a transvaginal ultrasound done to get a clear picture of the ovaries and follicles. A follicular scan reveals the size and quality of the egg follicles, helping the fertility specialist to determine if the follicle is mature enough to release an egg. Abdominal ultrasound and transvaginal scan are the two types of follicular scans. 

Who Can Go for a Follicular Scan?

• A follicular scan is usually recommended for couples who have been trying to get pregnant naturally for more than a year.
• Women with irregular periods cannot ascertain their exact ovulation time. A follicular scan is a valuable tool that helps pinpoint the time of ovulation.
• A follicular scan is a go-to option for women who are undergoing fertility treatments like IUI, IVF and others. It helps asses the follicular growth and know the right time of ovulation.
• Women suffering from PCOS can go for a follicular scan as it aids in monitoring ovulation and detecting the presence of multiple follicles. 
• Women who have had miscarriages in the past can detect ovulation issues with the help of a follicular scan.

How Does A Follicular Scan Help Women Get Pregnant?

Here’s how follicular scanning supports conception:

Tracks Ovulation: Follicular scan ovulation monitoring is very helpful for couples who wish to get pregnant naturally. It accurately determines the exact time of ovulation to ascertain the fertile window for intercourse, increasing the chance of conception and helping couples get pregnant naturally.

Determines Timing for Egg Retrieval: A follicular scan helps determine the exact time for egg release when undergoing ART procedures like IVF. Fertility specialists know the optimal time for egg retrieval, thereby increasing the chance of conception.

Determines the Time for Insemination: The scan helps to ascertain the right time for semen insemination during the IUI procedure, thereby improving the success rate. 

Detects Fertility Issues: It also helps women with fertility issues to know about the underlying fertility condition. 

Preparing for a Follicular Scan

Follicular scan preparation involves the following:

• There is no need to fast before the procedure, but you may be advised to avoid certain types of food a few hours before. 
• You may be prescribed medications in case of fertility procedures. 
• Your healthcare provider may decide on the type of follicular scan based on your fertility condition. 
• You must be on an empty bladder for a transvaginal ultrasound. 
• You must wear loose and comfortable clothing.

Step-by-Step Process of a Follicular Scan

A follicular scan is a repetitive test carried out at various intervals of your menstrual cycle. The following is the follicular scan timeline. 

• The initial scan performed is called the initial baseline scan, as it helps to assess the ovaries and the uterus. This is done on the second or third day of your menstrual cycle. 
• The following scan is done to monitor follicle development. It is done between 9 and 16 days of the cycle. The sonographer measures the thickness of the uterine lining and the size of the follicle. The primary aim of this scan is to identify the viable follicle that is likely to ovulate. 
• The next step in the follicular study is to monitor the most dominant follicle that is about to ovulate. The mature follicle is identified by its size. 
• Sometimes, a post-ovulation scan is done to check if the follicle has released an egg. This helps to know the exact timing of ovulation.

Book an online appointment with Dr. Meenakshi Banerjee for Pregnancy & Gynecology related issues.

What to Expect During a Follicular Scan?

It is a completely painless procedure, but you may experience mild discomfort. The scan takes only 10- 15 minutes. 

• Your healthcare provider applies the conductive gel on your abdomen.
• You will be asked to lie down in the stirrup position. 
• A small probe is inserted vaginally to capture high-resolution images of the ovaries and follicles, which are displayed on a monitor.

Conclusion

A follicular scan is a popular test procedure carried out for women with fertility issues or women who face trouble getting pregnant naturally. It is mainly done to assess the growth of the egg follicles and the egg quality. It is a transvaginal ultrasound done to know the exact time of ovulation. It is a valuable test that helps women with ovulation issues or irregular menstrual cycles to conceive. Fertility specialists usually rely on this test to know the exact time of egg retrieval for use in procedures like IUI and IVF.

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