OB-GYN: What an Ultrasound Can Tell You

By Michele Blandino

For a pregnant woman, an ultrasound examination is one of the most anticipated milestones of the pregnancy. In addition to being used as a tool to detect the baby’s gender, ultrasound is commonly used to rule out certain birth defects and abnormalities.

Other Common Uses

An ultrasound examination can be used to confirm whether you are carrying twins, triplets or even more babies. While some doctors may be able to detect multiple heartbeats, an ultrasound examination gives indisputable proof that there is more than one child in the womb.

Another common use for ultrasound examinations is to estimate the baby’s due date. While the due date can be fairly easily estimated if the date of the woman’s last menstrual period is known, it is not uncommon for a woman to forget the date or remember it incorrectly.

Ultrasounds can also be used to determine if the baby is growing at the proper rate. In some cases, particularly when it is feared that the baby is not developing normally, ultrasounds may be given monthly so that measurements can be taken to help chart the baby’s growth.

Types of Ultrasounds

The trans-vaginal ultrasound is commonly used during the first trimester of pregnancy and helps to determine the due date. Because the procedure involves the use of a small transducer that is inserted into the vagina, they are useful in helping to identify the source of any unexplained bleeding. Finally, trans-vaginal ultrasounds are commonly used during fertility treatments to help determine whether a fertilized egg has properly implanted itself within the uterus.

By far, the most common type of ultrasound is the trans-abdominal ultrasound. With this procedure, the transducer is placed over the abdomen and through the use of high-frequency sound waves, transmits a two-dimensional image of the fetus. This procedure is typically done in the doctor’s office or an ultrasound clinic. While most of the time you will be provided with printed images to take with you, you may also be provided with a video tape of your baby. Be sure to ask your doctor if this is an option.

Finally, if your doctor suspects something may be wrong, he or she may order a 3-D ultrasound. While the technology is relatively new and is not yet widely used, 3-D ultrasounds can provide a clearer view of the baby’s face, feet and hands thus making it easier to determine if any abnormalities do indeed exist.

A Final Thought

As with any medical procedure, it is important that you ask your doctor to answer any concerns you may have. While the technicians that administer ultrasound examinations are usually quite competent, they are not doctors and can make mistakes. As a result, as tempting as it may be to ask the technician’s opinion during an ultrasound examination, you should hold your questions until you have the opportunity to speak with the doctor.