What is ultrasound imaging?
Ultrasound imaging uses sound waves to help the doctors get a look at fetal development and your internal organs. The test is diagnostic and may be used to evaluate the health of your uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, or other pelvic organs.
During an ultrasound, you lie on an exam table as the technician glides a transducer wand across the area to be examined. For a transvaginal ultrasound, the transducer is inserted into the vagina to get a better look at certain reproductive organs, like the uterus or ovaries.
Unlike an X-ray or MRI, an ultrasound provides a real-time image of your internal workings.
Are ultrasounds safe?
Ultrasounds are entirely safe. They use no radiation, so they won’t interfere with a growing baby’s development or your internal organ health.
Ultrasounds don’t cause any pain, either. You may feel slight pressure from the transducer as it presses against specific treatment areas, but this shouldn’t cause discomfort. You don’t feel the sound waves penetrate your body or bounce back to the computer to create an image.
The procedure is non-invasive, so you don’t have to worry about blood loss, incisions, or recovery time.
Why would I need an ultrasound?
Ultrasounds are well-known for giving you a picture of a baby growing in a woman’s womb. Your doctor can estimate the due date, check for healthy growth, determine gender, and evaluate the fetus’ position in your uterus.
Ultrasounds may also be ordered to:
- Evaluate for uterine fibroids
- Look for ovarian cysts
- Identify potential structural abnormalities in the pelvic region
- Rule out endometriosis
- Determine the reason for abnormal uterine bleeding
At Patel & Patel, M.D., Inc., the technicians also offer 4D ultrasounds during prenatal care. This advanced ultrasound gives you an image of your baby’s face for the first time. Although 4D ultrasounds are not diagnostic or medical, they can give the doctors the chance to see certain birth defects like cleft lip or cleft palate that don’t typically appear on traditional ultrasounds.
If you have a condition that could require an ultrasound, contact Patel & Patel, M.D., Inc. to learn more. Call the office to set up an appointment or use the online tool to schedule.
