Obstetric Ultrasound

 

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mmUltrasound is a diagnostic imaging technique that uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images.  Obstetric ultrasound is used to produce images of a baby (embryo or fetus) in pregnant women as well as the mother’s uterus and ovaries. It does not use ionizing radiation and has no known harmful effects. It is the preferred method for monitoring pregnant women and their unborn babies.

 

 

 

 

Need to Know

Nice to Know
  • You may be asked to change into a gown prior to the procedure
  • Your physician may instruct you to have the procedure performed with a full bladder
  • The sonographer may elect to do a transvaginal ultrasound in which an ultrasound probe is inserted into the vagina for detailed internal images
  • The exam is painless, non-invasive and radiation-free. There are no known side effects to ultrasound.
  • All sonographers performing these exams are female
  • Although internal imaging is usually painless, some may feel a slight discomfort

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Why is This Exam Done?

  • To confirm pregnancy
  • Assess viability, location, and age of pregnancy
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How Does It Work?

Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images of the body’s tissues, structures, and blood flow.  A transducer/probe and ultrasound gel work in combination to absorb the reflected sound waves to produce images on the monitor.

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What Will Happen During the Exam?

The sonographer will request that you lay on the exam bed on your back.  Warm, water-based ultrasound gel will be applied on the skin and/or the transducer. The sonographer will use the transducer on the skin moving it around as necessary to obtain images for the physician to interpret.

If the internal exam is necessary, you will be asked to empty your bladder and lay on the exam bed with your feet in stirrups.

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How Should I Prepare?

You may be instructed in advance to arrive with a full bladder.

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What Are the Benefits and Risks?

The benefits of Abdominal Ultrasound:

  • Ultrasound images are shown in real-time
  • The structure and movement of the body's internal organs, as well as blood flowing through blood vessels are able to be seen and recorded
  • The exam is painless
  • No ionizing radiation is used for this procedure

Risks you should be aware of:

  • There are no known risks for ultrasound

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Where Can I Get This Exam?

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