What is an ultrasound and how does it work?
Ultrasound is like regular sound, except it has a higher pitch than humans can hear. An instrument called a transducer emits high-frequency sound and then records the returning sounds (echoes) as they bounce back. A specialized computer converts the sound waves into an image of the internal structures that can be viewed on a monitor similar to a television screen. Ultrasounds are used to view your internal organs, and during pregnancy, your baby. Darker areas show fluid, and lighter areas show denser materials such as tissue or bone. There is no radiation involved in an ultrasound.
Ultrasounds during pregnancy
If you’re pregnant, your first ultrasound at Virginia Women’s Center will typically be between eight and 10 weeks’ gestation. In early pregnancy, ultrasound is used to confirm a uterine pregnancy, check the baby’s heartbeat and verify your due date. You will have another ultrasound between 20 and 22 weeks’ gestation. During this more detailed ultrasound, the technologist and your health care provider will be examining the baby’s heartbeat, location, breathing, movement, size and gender (if you wish to find out). This ultrasound will also examine the location of the placenta, the amount of amniotic fluid as well as any abnormalities. Ultrasound can also be used to measure the length of your cervix if there is any suspicion you may be in preterm labor. The number of ultrasounds you have in a pregnancy depends on a many factors including your health, your baby’s health and your family history.
Gynecologic ultrasounds
Your doctor or nurse practitioner may recommend you have an ultrasound so he or she can learn more about your uterus and ovaries than can be found in a pelvic exam. You may have a gynecologic ultrasound if you have been experiencing pelvic pain or abnormal vaginal bleeding or if your health care provider detected something abnormal during your pelvic exam. In addition, ultrasound can be used to verify the placement of an intrauterine device (IUD) or diagnose infertility.
Preparing for your ultrasound
There are different types of ultrasounds depending on the kind of images your health care provider needs. During an abdominal ultrasound, the transducer will be placed on your abdomen. In a vaginal ultrasound, the transducer will be placed in your vagina. While most ultrasounds do not require any special preparation, there are some that require you to have a full bladder. You will be notified ahead of time if you need to come to your appointment with a full bladder.
Ultrasound is usually a painless procedure. However, you may experience some mild discomfort as the technologist guides the transducer over your body, especially if you’re required to have a full bladder. A typical ultrasound exam takes 30 minutes to an hour.
At Virginia Women’s Center, we have ultrasound suits available in our offices. All of our ultrasound units are accredited by the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM). This accreditation is the hallmark of a practice that meets the standards of patient care, including the consistent demonstration of medical excellence and dedication to keeping current with ultrasound technology.
