What is an ultrasound?
An ultrasound is a noninvasive procedure that uses sound waves to generate images. The painless procedures apply a transducer wand that your women’s health expert glides over your skin and sends high-frequency sound waves into your body that get translated into images you view on a monitor.
How often do I need an ultrasound during pregnancy?
The number of ultrasounds you need during pregnancy depends. You should have a standard ultrasound around 18 to 22 weeks of your pregnancy to check your baby’s physical growth and development and assess for congenital anomalies, such as a cleft palate.
During the standard ultrasound, the women’s health expert at MyDoc Women’s Health Specialists examine:
- Baby position and size
- Placement of the placenta
- Amount of amniotic fluid
- Sex of the baby
The team may also do an ultrasound during your first trimester to confirm pregnancy and listen to your baby’s heartbeat. Your women’s health expert may also recommend additional ultrasounds throughout your pregnancy to monitor you or your baby’s health.
You may also need specialized ultrasounds, such as Doppler ultrasound if the team has concerns about the growth of your baby.
Why would I need an ultrasound if I am not pregnant?
The experts at MyDoc Women’s Health Specialists may recommend an ultrasound when you aren’t pregnant to evaluate your pelvic organs. It can be a tool to:
- Identify a mass such as a fibroid
- Investigate the cause of abnormal bleeding or pelvic pain
- Locate an intrauterine device (IUD)
- Determine the cause of infertility or monitor infertility treatment
What is a transvaginal ultrasound?
A transvaginal ultrasound is a special ultrasound used to examine your reproductive organs more closely. During the procedure, you insert your feet in stirrups, and your healthcare specialist inserts a unique wand in your vagina to generate images of your internal organs.
The team at MyDoc Women’s Health Specialists may recommend a transvaginal ultrasound to:
- Identify fibroids or ovarian cysts
- Diagnose cause of abnormal bleeding
- Evaluation for infertility
- Look for ectopic pregnancy
Whether to see your growing baby or to get answers to health concerns, the ultrasound is a safe and painless noninvasive procedure. Call today, or book an appointment online with the caring and compassionate all-women team at MyDoc Women’s Health Specialists.
