Obstetrics&Gynecologic(OB-GYN)Ultrasound—FetalImaging
Written & medically reviewed by Dr. Shaivalini Kamarapu
MBBS · MS (Obstetrics & Gynaecology) · Fellowship in Reproductive Medicine · 20+ years of clinical experience
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WhatisanOB-GYNultrasound?
An OB-GYN ultrasound is an imaging method that uses high-frequency sound waves to produce an internal image of a woman's bladder, uterus, fallopian tubes, cervix and ovaries. Its purpose is twofold: in obstetric medicine, to confirm and monitor pregnancy; in gynecologic care, to evaluate conditions such as ovarian cysts, abnormal uterine bleeding and uterine fibroids.
Benefits of ultrasound imaging include low cost, no pain, and instantaneous imaging that the doctor and patient can review together in real time. Our on-site, certified sonographers make it possible for all of a woman's OB-GYN needs to be met at our facility.
Most women are familiar with the obstetric application of ultrasound to confirm and evaluate a pregnancy. Ultrasound images are often the first time a family gets a glimpse of their baby, and they're often treasured. Ultrasound images are also used in gynecologic care to diagnose and help treat many conditions in the pelvic region.
Ultrasound probes come in many different shapes and sizes. Some transducers are used on the skin of a woman's abdomen, while others are placed inside the vagina — a vaginal ultrasound is usually called a transvaginal ultrasound. Getting the transducer close to the cervix, uterus and ovaries allows for more detailed images to be created.
During an OB-GYN ultrasound, the certified sonographer either moves a transducer along the skin or gently inserts a transvaginal transducer into the vagina. These transducers, or "probes," emit sound waves beyond the range of human hearing. These harmless waves echo off internal organs, and a computer translates them into a visible image on a monitor.
Ultrasoundforobstetricsandpregnancy
Obstetric ultrasounds are used at many stages of pregnancy:
Confirming the pregnancy itself
Determining due dates
Identifying the possible presence of twins or multiples
Learning the sex, size and position of the baby
Screening for birth defects
Assessing whether the baby is facing head-down toward the end of pregnancy
Ultrasoundforgynecologicdiagnosticsandevaluation
Ultrasound is also a common tool in gynecologic medicine, used to diagnose conditions in women and girls, particularly of the reproductive tract. Abnormal uterine bleeding, cysts, tumours, fibroids and pelvic pain can all be diagnosed and evaluated through pelvic ultrasound imaging.
While gynecologic ultrasounds are very helpful in diagnosing certain conditions, they do have limitations. Sound waves don't travel well through bone or parts of the body that contain air, including the intestines and bladder — this can sometimes cause a visual blockage, making it difficult to clearly see the targeted organ.
HowweperformanOB-GYNultrasound
Patients may be advised to drink several glasses of water prior to the test, depending on the type of ultrasound being performed.
During the ultrasound, the sonographer applies a water-based gel to the skin. This helps the sound waves transmit through the skin for better images, and makes it easier and more comfortable for the transducer to glide across the skin.
An OB-GYN ultrasound can take between 10 minutes and an hour, depending on what the sonographer is looking for. In most cases, the sonographer will talk you through what they see during the procedure and share the images.
The nurse practitioner or doctor will then review the images from the ultrasound and discuss the findings with you.
Ultrasound can be used to perform the following
Finding whether there is a fetus
Evaluating the location of the placenta and the fetus
Calculating gestational age
Determining the possibility of multiple births
Measuring the quantity of amniotic fluid surrounding the baby
Evaluating the shortening or opening of the cervix
Diagnosing any fetal abnormalities