Ultrasound Procedure

In ultrasonography, or ultrasound, high frequency sound waves are sent through the abdomen by a device called a transducer. The sound waves are recorded and transformed into video or photographic images of your baby. The ultrasound may be used during pregnancy to show images of the amniotic sac, placenta, and ovaries. Ultrasound could be used with some other diagnostic procedures, like amniocentesis, or by itself. There are no harmful adverse effects to you and your baby. Most prenatal ultrasound procedures are performed on the surface area of the skin, utilizing a gel as a conductive medium to help the quality of the image.

A transvaginal ultrasound is conducted utilizing a probe that's inserted into the vaginal canal. This method of ultrasound produces an image quality that's greatly enhanced. A transvaginal ultrasound can be used early in pregnancy to determine how far along you're in your pregnancy if this is uncertain or unknown. An ultrasound is usually performed for all women that are pregnant at 20 weeks gestation. During this ultrasound, the physician will evaluate if the placenta is attached typically, and that your baby is growing properly in your uterus. The baby's heart beat and movement of its body, arms, and legs may also be seen on the ultrasound.

If you want to be familiar with the sex of your baby, it can usually be determined at 20 weeks. Make sure to tell the ultrasound physician whether or not you would like to be familiar with the sex of your baby. Please understand that ultrasound isn't a foolproof method of determining your baby's gender. There's a chance that the ultrasound images can be misinterpreted. Major anatomical abnormalities or birth defects can show up on an ultrasound. Although ultrasound is safe for mother and baby, it's a test which should be done only when medical necessity. In case you've an ultrasound that's not medical necessity, your insurance provider might not pay for the ultrasound.

There's no special prep for the ultrasound test. Some physicians require you to drink four to six glasses of water before the test, so your urinary bladder is full. This may assist the physician view the baby better on the ultrasound. The transducer sends high frequency sound waves into the body, which reflect off internal structures, including your baby. If a full urinary bladder is required for the test, you may feel some discomfort when the probe is applied.

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