An ultrasound scan uses high frequency sound waves to create an image of the inside of the body. This procedure is commonly recognized as the method used to monitor babies growing inside the womb, but ultrasounds are not only used on pregnant women.
Ultrasound imaging is also helpful in diagnosing certain health conditions, so doctors often use them to get a good look at parts of the body where patients are experiencing pain or abnormalities.
There are several different types of ultrasounds, each serving a unique purpose. Learn about them below.
Ultrasounds For Expecting Mothers
If you are an expectant mother, an ultrasound offers you a first look at your child, providing a way to bond with baby before delivery along a with a special memory. For your obstetrician, these images are a way to evaluate your baby’s health and make sure everything is developing the way it should be. While some ultrasounds are necessary to monitor your baby’s progress, others offer a way to get a more detailed look at your child. Here’s a look at the various types of ultrasounds you may encounter as an expecting mother.
Obstetric Ultrasound: The first time you see your baby will typically be through a standard obstetric ultrasound. These images allow doctors to learn vital information about your baby’s development throughout your pregnancy.
Nuchal Translucency Sonograms: This type of ultrasound is an optional test used to evaluate your baby’s risk of specific chromosomal abnormalities. It is offered between the 11th and 13th weeks of pregnancy, along with a maternal blood test.
3D & 4D Ultrasounds: While these ultrasounds are not medically necessary, they provide a more detailed look at your child to help you bond with them before the due date. The 3D images allow you to see your child’s entire face and body more vividly than any other type of ultrasound. The 4D ultrasound produces the same kinds of images, but also allows you to see your baby in motion! Both of these ultrasounds provide an exciting way to get to know your little one before they arrive.
Ultrasounds For Other Reasons
In addition to monitoring a pregnancy, ultrasounds are often used to diagnose conditions concerning the reproductive organs. Here are a few examples of ultrasounds used outside of pregnancy.
Gynecological Ultrasound: Your doctor may use a gynecological ultrasound to look at your ovaries, uterus, cervix and fallopian tubes if you are experiencing pelvic issues. Ultrasounds are a useful tool in diagnosing pelvic pain, unusual bleeding and other common problems.
Sonohysterogram: When a woman experiences heavy bleeding, trouble getting pregnant or other more serious abnormalities concerning the reproductive organs, a doctor may use a sonohysterogram to get better a look at things. This transvaginal procedure allows doctors to see the reproductive organs better than a standard ultrasound would and is more helpful for diagnostic purposes.
The Right Ultrasound Services For You
At OB-GYN Women’s Centre, we make women’s health care convenient by offering both gynecological and obstetrical ultrasound services, all in one place. Whether you’re getting ready to meet your baby for the first time or you need an ultrasound to diagnose a potential medical condition, our professional staff is here to provide you with the highest level of care possible. Schedule your appointment today!
