Ultrasounds

How do ultrasounds work?

Ultrasounds use sound waves to safely view your internal structures. The sound waves bounce differently off your bones, tissues, and body fluids, and the returning echoes are turned into images. Your specialist can use these pictures to diagnose medical conditions or to monitor pregnancy.

If I’m not pregnant, why do I need an ultrasound?

Your provider can use ultrasound to create a picture of your pelvic organs and address issues such as:

• Masses in the pelvis, such as uterine fibroids or ovarian cysts
• Unexplained pelvic pain
• Unpredictable or painful menstrual cycles
• Abnormal uterine bleeding

He can also monitor fertility treatments and ensure that intrauterine devices (IUDs) remain safely in place.

How is ultrasound used in obstetrics?

Ultrasounds can safely give you your first glimpse of your growing fetus. There are three types of ultrasound exams that your provider may include in your prenatal care:

Standard ultrasound exam

The standard ultrasound exam estimates your baby’s gestational age, screens for congenital anomalies, and looks at how they are developing physically. It can also give you information about:

• Your baby’s size, weight, movement, heart rate, position, and breathing
• The location of the placenta
• The amount of amniotic fluid in your uterus

If you’re carrying more than one fetus, a standard ultrasound spoils the surprise and gives you valuable time to prepare. If they’re positioned well, you may be able to observe their sex.

Limited ultrasound exam               

As the name implies, a limited ultrasound is done for a very specific purpose, such as to check a fetus’s position during labor. It can also be used to determine if the placenta is too low or to check for fetal heartbeat.

Specialized ultrasound exam

If they suspect a problem, your provider can perform a specialized ultrasound exam. For example, they can use this exam to track a fetus’s growth throughout your pregnancy.

How many ultrasounds can I expect during pregnancy?

You can expect at least one: a standard ultrasound exam, which your specialist usually performs when you are 18-22 weeks along.

They may recommend an earlier one to screen for genetic disorders, check for an ectopic pregnancy, or estimate your child’s gestational age.

To learn more about the many useful applications of ultrasounds, contact the office of Miguel Albert, MD, or book an appointment online today.