How Ultrasound Imaging Works
Ultrasound, also called sonography, uses sound waves to develop images of what's going on inside the body.
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An instrument called a transducer emits high-frequency sound, inaudible to human ears, and then records the echoes as the sound waves bounce back to determine the size, shape, and consistency of soft tissues and organs.
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This information is relayed to produce images on a computer screen.
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Ultrasound technicians, or sonographers, have special training in how to perform the test.
Uses of Ultrasound Tests
Ultrasound imaging has many uses in medicine, from confirming and dating a pregnancy to diagnosing certain conditions and guiding doctors through precise medical procedures.
As an Obstetric patient, a sonogram can be performed in our office at the time of your regularly scheduled appointment so the doctors can go over the results with you immediately.
Ultrasound images have many uses during pregnancy. Early on, they may be used to:
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determine due dates
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reveal the presence of twins or other multiples
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rule out ectopic pregnancies.
They also are valuable screening tools in helping to detect potential problems, including:
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Monitoring the growth of your baby
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Birth defects and placental issues
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Evaluating anatomical structures
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Breech positioning, and others
Ultrasound For Gender Determination
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The Ultrasound to view all the skeletal and anatomical structure of your baby is usually done at 20 weeks.
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If the baby cooperates by being in the correct position to view the genitals, the gender of your baby can be seen.
