What is an obstetrical ultrasound?
An ultrasound uses soundwaves to view structures inside your body. During an ultrasound, your sonographer runs a hand-held device called a transducer over the area to be viewed. The device bounces soundwaves off of those structures, generating a picture onto a monitor screen.
Obstetrical ultrasounds can show you how your baby is growing if you’re pregnant. Your sonographer moves the transducer over your abdomen to view the inside of your uterus to learn essential information about your baby’s health, position, and sex.
What can an obstetrical ultrasound show?
This noninvasive test has many different functions when you’re pregnant. Depending on how far you are into your pregnancy, an obstetrical ultrasound can:
- Establish the presence of an embryo or fetus
- Monitor fetal growth
- Determine the sex of the fetus
- Assess the position of the fetus
- Identify multiple gestations (twins, triplets, etc.)
- Determine how much amniotic fluid surrounds the fetus
- Evaluate your cervical health
- Diagnose congenital abnormalities
- Assess the fetus’ health
Obstetrical ultrasounds give you the unique opportunity to see how your unborn baby is growing and developing in real time.
How do I prepare for an obstetrical ultrasound?
You rarely need to prepare for an obstetrical ultrasound. The transducer only views your abdomen, so you don’t need to change into a medical gown when you arrive.
However, you must wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothes that you can easily move around in during your visit. In most cases, a two-piece outfit, like a top and pants, will give you more flexibility than a dress or other one-piece outfits.
What happens during an obstetrical ultrasound?
The sonographers at David L. Principe, MD, do obstetrical ultrasounds in their office, so you never have to travel to an outside facility for your scan.
When you arrive, you lie down on the exam table and pull up your shirt to expose your abdomen. The sonographer applies a special gel to help the transducer make secure contact with your abdomen.
This gel may feel cold at first, but it shouldn’t be overly uncomfortable. After the ultrasound is over, the sonographer wipes away any leftover gel from your abdomen.
Most healthy pregnancies require at least two obstetrical ultrasounds throughout gestation. If you have a high-risk pregnancy, you’ll usually need more than two.
To schedule an obstetrical ultrasound with David L. Principe, MD, call the office today.
