Ultrasounds are a safe and painless way for the doctor to see inside your body without using radiation (like x-rays). Obstetric ultrasound provides images of an embryo or fetus inside the uterus, as well as the uterus and ovaries, making it a valuable tool for monitoring pregnancy and the unborn baby.
Ultrasound works like the sonar used by ships and bats. When a sound wave hits an object, it bounces back (or echoes). By measuring these echoes, we can determine the position, size, shape, and consistency of an object.
In an ultrasound exam, a small transducer (also called a probe) and ultrasound gel are placed directly on your abdomen. High-frequency sound waves are transmitted from the probe through the gel into your body. As the sound waves bounce back, the transducer collects them, a computer creates a real-time image on the monitor, and you can see your fetus's movement and heartbeat as an ultrasound “movie”.
Obstetric ultrasound provides important information at all stages of pregnancy, and most women will have at least one ultrasound during their pregnancy. The most common reasons for having an ultrasound include:
- Determine the gestational age of the fetus (how far along the pregnancy is).
- Checking the position of the baby in the uterus.
- Find a cause if there is bleeding during pregnancy.
- Evaluation of the anatomy and growth of the fetus.
- Identify multiple gestations (twins, triplets, etc.).
- Detection of chromosomal abnormalities in the first trimester.
- Guide amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling procedures, tests that help identify chromosomal abnormalities.
The number and frequency of ultrasounds during pregnancy will depend on the unique health needs of each patient and those of the unborn baby.
El Dr. Daniel García, gynecologist and obstetrician at Ginefem, In this video, he explains what obstetric ultrasound is and what its importance is.
