Obstetrics Ultrasound
Ultrasound imaging, also called ultrasound scanning or sonography, involves exposing part of the body to high-frequency sound waves to produce pictures of the inside of the body. Ultrasound exams do not use ionizing radiation (as used in x-rays). Because ultrasound images are captured in real-time, they can show the structure and movement of the body's internal organs, as well as blood flowing through blood vessels.
Ultrasound imaging is a noninvasive medical test that helps physicians diagnose and treat medical conditions.
Obstetrical ultrasound provides pictures of an embryo or fetus within a woman's uterus.
A Doppler ultrasound study may be part of an obstetrical ultrasound examination.
Doppler ultrasound is a special ultrasound technique that evaluates blood velocity as it flows through a blood vessel, including the body's major arteries and veins in the abdomen, arms, legs and neck.
During an obstetrical ultrasound the examiner may evaluate blood flow in the umbilical cord or may in some cases assess blood flow in the fetus or placenta.
Obstetrical ultrasound is a useful clinical test to:
- Establish the presence of a living embryo/fetus.
- Estimate the age of the pregnancy.
- Diagnose congenital abnormalities of the fetus.
- Evaluate the position of the fetus.
- Evaluate the position of the placenta.
- Determine if there are multiple pregnancies.
- Determine the amount of amniotic fluid around the baby.
- Check for opening or shortening of the cervix or mouth of the womb.
- Assess fetal growth.
- Assess fetal well-being.
You should wear a loose-fitting, two-piece outfit for the examination. Only the lower abdominal area needs to be exposed during this procedure.
If an ultrasound is ordered by your clinician early in your pregnancy, you may be instructed to have a full bladder for the procedure. Air interferes with sound waves, so if your bladder is distended, the air-filled bowel is pushed out of the way by the bladder and an image of the uterus and embryo or fetus is obtained.
The radiologist or sonographer may elect to examine an early pregnancy by means of transvaginal ultrasound. This requires an empty urinary bladder. You should ask for specific instructions for this imaging study when you make your appointment. For more information on transvaginal ultrasound, see the Pelvic Ultrasound page.
All the above material is sourced from RSNA and if fully copyrighted Copyright © 2010 Radiological Society of North America, Inc. (RSNA)
