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If your OBGYN recommends an ultrasound, you may have some idea of what it means. However, it can be helpful to know more about ultrasounds, so you can make informed decisions about your care plan. Dr. Tepper offers a range of Upper East Side Manhattan ultrasound services. Here’s what to know about OB ultrasounds and how they work.
What is an Ultrasound?
An OB ultrasound is a safe and non-invasive test to help detect potential problems with the fetus, placenta, and amniotic fluid. An OB ultrasound can also be used to measure fetal growth and confirm the due date and viability of the fetus.
What are the uses of OB Ultrasounds?
OB ultrasounds can be used to diagnose your menstrual cycle, ovulation, and pregnancy. Additionally, they help locate pathological tissue and provide insight into the condition of your reproductive organs.
How OB Ultrasounds work?
A transvaginal ultrasound is an imaging test that uses sound waves to show the details of your reproductive system. It helps OBGYNs and other specialists better understand what they see and diagnose problems in the different parts of the body.
The ultrasound machine sends sound waves through a probe which transmits them onto a monitor. The sound waves then bounce off any soft tissue in the area and back into the probe. This creates a picture of your body’s inside on an ultrasound machine.
What types of OB Ultrasounds are there?
An OB ultrasound is diagnostic tool doctors use to scan the body. There are many different ultrasounds, and each has a specific function.
Transvaginal Ultrasound
A transvaginal ultrasound allows better visualization of the pelvic organs and can help diagnose cancer, endometriosis, and fibroids.
Pelvic Ultrasound
A pelvic ultrasound allows imaging of the uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, and cervix. This type of ultrasound is usually recommended before invasive testing, such as a laparoscopy or hysteroscopy (which uses a combination of an abdominal x-ray and an endoscopic camera).
Obstetric Ultrasonograph
This is also known as a “first-trimester” doppler, which provides vital information about fetal development.
When would I need an OB Ultrasound?
An OB ultrasound can be performed at any stage in your menstrual cycle. Still, most often, it’s done during ovulation (the time when eggs are released from one of your ovaries) or during surgery for fertility treatment such as in vitro fertilization (IVF).
OB ultrasounds can show things such as follicles, fallopian tubes, endometrium, corpus luteum, gestational sac, placenta, and embryo or fetus. They can also help detect ectopic pregnancies and evaluate vaginal bleeding.
Fetal ultrasound is done during the second trimester to check the baby’s heart and look for abnormalities. Most of the baby’s organs should have developed enough to be seen by this time. During the third trimester, the ultrasound is used to check the development and health of the baby’s lungs, brain, and other organs.
Schedule An Appointment
OB ultrasounds can have a variety of uses. If you’d like to learn more about Dr. Tepper’s OBGYN care in New York City or schedule an appointment, contact our office by calling or filling out our online form.
BOOK AN APPOINTMENT
Whether you are a new or returning patient, Dr. Tepper can assess your concerns and discuss your options to find the most comfortable and convenient care for you. To get started, call our office to set up an appointment.
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