Routine And High Risk OB Ultrasound

An obstetrical ultrasound is a diagnostic test to help your physician manage your care. It provides information regarding the dating of your pregnancy, viability and number of gestations. No test can detect all birth defects, but a thorough ultrasound in the first and second trimester can help in identifying birth defects of the heart, digestive system, skeletal system, brain and spinal cord. An OB ultrasound can also tell us if the fetus is growing normally, if the placenta is in the correct location and if there is the right amount of amniotic fluid.

Advanced First Trimester Ultrasound

Perinatal Partners performs the most advanced and comprehensive first trimester ultrasound in the U.S. Our ultrasound includes a detailed fetal anatomic survey and nuchal translucency measurement in the first trimester in addition to other advanced markers which include nasal bone, facial angle, Doppler of the Tricuspid valve and Ductus Venosus. We also offer screening for pre-eclampsia by measuring Doppler flow in the mother's uterine arteries. During the first trimester we also confirm viability and look to make sure the baby is in the proper location.

A first trimester ultrasound is often used to confirm viability during the early stages of pregnancy, to confirm the age of the baby and to make sure the pregnancy is in the proper location. The first trimester is also an excellent time to assess a woman's risk of having a baby with a chromosomal abnormality such as Down Syndrome. An ultrasound can be performed to evaluate the nuchal translucency and presence or absence of the nasal bone. Other types of birth defects may also be detected in the first trimester as a result of this screening.

Gynecological/Pelvic Ultrasound

Information obtained from a manual pelvic exam may prompt further evaluation and your physician may want you to have a pelvic ultrasound. With a pelvic ultrasound, the uterus and ovaries are evaluated. The ultrasound may help explain findings from the manual exam or provide additional information. Common indications for a pelvic ultrasound include pelvic pain, abnormal vaginal bleeding, and suspicion of an abnormality on a manual gynecologic examination. Occasionally, sonohysterography may be done as a part of the transvaginal ultrasound examination. In this procedure, a small amount of fluid is introduced into the endometrial cavity. This may further clarify the exact nature of certain endometrial abnormalities such as polyps and fibroids, which commonly cause abnormal vaginal bleeding.