Color Doppler Test Pregnancy: Price, Purpose & Timing [2026]

Bookmerilab/Ultrasound/

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 asDoppler pregnancy, Doppler pregnancy scan, Fetal Doppler
Purpose Study blood flow in the fetus during pregnancy
PreparationNo special preparation is required
FastingFast for 6 to 12 hours before the test
Reporting time30 to 60 mins or more.
CostRs 1500 to Rs 3000
Doppler Pregnancy Test overview.

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 CentresTest Price
Dr Lal Path labsRs 2900
Orbit Imaging & PathlabRs 2400
Mahajan ImagingRs 4000
Aarthi ScanRs 1900
Vijaya DiagnosticsRs 2700
A description of labs and their respective price.

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.

Price list of doppler pregnancy tests in different cities.

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

women undergoing doppler
Picture showing a woman having a 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

  1. The Colour doppler pregnancy test identifies movement, direction, and speed of blood flow.
  2. The power doppler pregnancy test is the upgraded version of the colour doppler. It does not show the direction of blood flow. 
  3. Duplex doppler pregnancy test takes the image of the blood vessel and records the data in a graph.
  4. Continuous-wave doppler pregnancy test uses continuous sound waves that measure the accurate speed of blood flow.
  5. 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.

doppler pregnancy scan image
The Sonograph shows the condition of the baby’s body organs.

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.

doppler pregnancy sample report

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to complete a Doppler ultrasound test?

An ultrasound test usually takes about 10 to 30 mins. In some cases, it may take longer.

Is the collision of doppler sound waves with the baby’s blood or organs harmful?

These sound waves do not cause any harm to human organs, blood or blood vessels. Ultrasound waves are beyond the human range of hearing.

Can I see the image on screen while the Doppler ultrasound procedure is performed?

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.

Does the Doppler pregnancy test cause any harm to the mother?

No. The Doppler pregnancy test usually causes no harm to the mother.

References:

  1. https://www.webmd.com/dvt/doppler-ultrasound-what-is-it
  2. https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/doppler-ultrasound/
  3. 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.

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Color Doppler Test Pregnancy: Price, Purpose, Types & Result