Pregnancy Ultrasound Overview
An ultrasound is one of the most exciting parts of any prenatal visit for many future moms. A pregnancy ultrasound utilizes high-frequency soundwaves to scan the abdomen and pelvic cavity of a woman. The result is a sonogram (picture) of the placenta and baby. Dr. Dennis Eisenberg, OBGYN in the Plano, Frisco and Dallas, Texas area, offers a wide variety of ultrasound options, including transvaginal scans, 3D/4D ultrasounds and Doppler ultrasounds.
Types of Pregnancy Ultrasounds
There are various forms of pregnancy ultrasounds, based on what is best for each expecting mother. Even though each procedure is different, the principle process is similar.
- Standard ultrasound- A traditional ultrasound that utilizes a transducer over the woman’s abdomen to generate 2D images of the fetus and placenta
- Advanced ultrasound- Very similar to a standard ultrasound, this procedure targets a potential problem area with sophisticated equipment
- Transvaginal ultrasound- Commonly used in early stages of pregnancy, a specially designed probe transducer is inserted into the vagina to generate the sonogram
- Doppler ultrasound- This pregnancy ultrasound measures slight changes in the frequency of ultrasound waves as they bounce off blood cells and other moving items
- Fetal echocardiography- Used to help assess suspected congenital heart defects, this exam uses ultrasound waves to assess the baby’s heart anatomy and function
- 3D ultrasound- A specially designed probe and software are used to create 3D images of the growing fetus
It is important to note that even though the terms ultrasound and sonogram are used interchangeably for the same exam, they are technically different. An ultrasound is the procedure that generates the sonogram.
When are Sonograms Generated?
Pregnancy ultrasounds can be performed at any time. The sonogram results are created immediately on a monitor during the exam. There is not a set amount of ultrasounds during any pregnancy. The average number varies from one OBGYN to the next.
Additional sonograms may be generated if a complication occurs during any stage of the pregnancy. They are commonly combined with other tests to reach a final diagnosis of a health complication.
A pregnancy ultrasound is usually indicated for the following medical reasons:
- Confirm heartbeat
- Confirm viable pregnancy
- Verify due date
- Evaluate fetal well-being
- Assess abnormal gestation
- Detect congenital heart defects
- Diagnose fetal malformation
- Confirm multiple pregnancies
- Verify proper fetal growth
- Observe fetal movements
- Identify placental location
If you live in the Plano, Frisco and Dallas, Texas communities and would like more information on pregnancy ultrasounds and sonograms, contact the office of Dr. Dennis Eisenberg.