In the nine months of your pregnancy, your body acts as a protective barrier between your developing fetus and the outside world. You can’t yet check on your baby the way you’ll be able to after birth. That’s where ultrasound imaging technology makes such a difference.
Noninvasive ultrasound exams allow your OB/GYN to examine your growing fetus, pelvic organs, and more, all without disturbing your skin or creating additional risks for your pregnancy. What do we look for with ultrasound imaging during pregnancy?
In this blog, Dr. Leonardo Longoria and the team at Longoria OBGYN of El Paso, Texas, let you in on why ultrasounds are so commonly used and what an ultrasound exam can tell you about your baby.
Ultrasound exams form a standard part of routine prenatal care. These exams let you know about the health of your fetus as well as your baby’s gender. Ultrasounds also let you know if you’re carrying multiples.
Prenatal ultrasounds let you “see” your baby for the first time and provide important information about the health and progression of your pregnancy. Dr. Longoria can detect any potential abnormalities and recommend the best course of action to protect the health of mother and baby.
Ultrasound exams can confirm you’re pregnant as well as determine how far along you are in gestation. You may undergo an early ultrasound for those purposes.
It’s common to undergo an ultrasound around 18-20 weeks, often called the anatomy ultrasound, to check up on your baby’s progress. This is when you’ll likely find out your baby’s gender.
Dr. Longoria also looks for signs of birth disorders or problems with your baby’s heart, brain, bones, and kidneys. He checks your developing baby’s head and spine and also looks at their limbs and torso.
Ultrasound exams can provide information about placenta placement, the umbilical cord, and other key aspects of your pregnancy. You may need an ultrasound at any point during your pregnancy, and Dr. Longoria might suggest more frequent ultrasounds if your pregnancy is high-risk.
Ultrasound imaging doesn’t use radiation or any other invasive techniques. Instead, a transducer wand produces sound waves that pass through your skin. Computer technology records the ways these sound waves bounce off objects inside your body, including your internal organs and growing fetus.
Finally, we map the returned sound waves to create accurate, real-time images of the interior of your abdomen. Ultrasound imaging can even produce 3D images!
In some cases, you may need a transvaginal ultrasound to take a closer look at your cervix or uterus. For this type of exam, the sterile transducer wand needs to be inserted into your vagina.
At Longoria OBGYN, your ultrasound exam takes place in the comfort of our office. You rest on an exam table while Dr. Longoria performs the ultrasound scan. Your belly is covered with a special gel, and the transducer wand touches your abdominal skin.
After your exam, Dr. Longoria discusses the imaging results with you and schedules any needed follow-up appointments, screenings, or procedures.
For care and support during your pregnancy, schedule an appointment by calling our office or booking online today.
