Ultrasounds
If you are pregnant, your provider will recommend that you have an ultrasound. Ultrasound, also known as a sonogram, is a test using sound waves to take images of your body. We have two certified ultrasonographers at WSNM who perform fetal ultrasounds at each of our three offices. Ultrasounds can help us answer questions about your pregnancy, including:
- How far along you are in the pregnancy.
- If you carry twins.
- If there is enough fluid around the baby.
- How well the baby is growing.
- If the baby is head down.
- Where the placenta is located.
This is information that can significantly help your provider to take better care of you and your baby.
Ultrasound can also detect some birth defects; however, it is not capable of detecting all birth defects. If there is a reason to suspect birth defects due to a family history or abnormal screening test, you may be referred to a center for targeted ultrasound examination looking for that specific defect. Unfortunately, birth defects can occur without any reason for suspicion; therefore, even if today’s examination is perfectly normal, we cannot give you a guarantee of a perfectly normal baby.
In performing the ultrasound we may be able to learn the gender of your baby. However, this is not the reason for today’s exam and we cannot guarantee we will be able to determine this for you. Even if we are able to make a guess on gender, it is important to remember that ultrasound, like any other test, is not 100% accurate.
A detailed report and pictures of your ultrasound will be sent to your provider. Please discuss any questions or concerns you may have with her or him.
No special preparation (no full bladder) is required for your ultrasound examination.