What is an obstetric ultrasound?
Obstetric ultrasound is a non-invasive imaging technique that uses sound waves to create images of the developing fetus inside the uterus. The Iowa Clinic is proud to offer ultrasounds at both our West Des Moines and Ankeny locations.
Ultrasounds are a standard part of prenatal care and can be used to:
- Confirm pregnancy
- Estimate gestational age
- Evaluate fetal growth
- Diagnose congenital abnormalities
- Assess fetal well-being
- Guide certain prenatal procedures, such as amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling
Types of Obstetric Ultrasounds
There are three main types of obstetric ultrasounds:
Dating scan: This ultrasound is usually performed between 8 and 12 weeks of pregnancy to confirm pregnancy and estimate gestational age.
Anatomy scan: This ultrasound is usually performed between 18 and 22 weeks of pregnancy to evaluate the baby's anatomy and look for any congenital abnormalities.
Growth scan: This ultrasound is usually performed between 28 and 32 weeks of pregnancy to assess the baby's growth and well-being.
What to Expect During an Obstetric Ultrasound
Obstetric ultrasounds are performed in our office by either your physician or an obstetric certified sonographer. You will be asked to lie on your back on an examination table. The technician will then apply a gel to your abdomen and place a transducer over the gel. The transducer is a small, wand-like device that emits sound waves.
The sound waves travel through your abdomen and uterus and bounce off the fetus. The transducer then picks up the reflected sound waves and sends them to a computer. The computer uses the sound waves to create images of the fetus.
Obstetric ultrasounds are usually painless and take between 30-60 minutes to complete.
Benefits of Obstetric Ultrasound
Obstetric ultrasound is a safe and effective way to monitor the health of the developing fetus. It can help to identify potential problems early on when they are most treatable.
Obstetric ultrasound can also help to reassure parents that their baby is healthy and developing normally.
If you have any questions or concerns about obstetric ultrasounds, please talk to your doctor.