Ultrasound

What is an ultrasound?

An ultrasound uses soundwaves to see your internal organs or a growing baby inside your womb. The screening uses no radioactive material, like an X-ray, and is perfectly safe for a fetus and your internal organs.

With in-office ultrasounds at Sarasota OB/GYN Associates, you don’t have to go to make a separate appointment and travel to a different location to get care. 

How does an ultrasound work?

During an ultrasound, soundwaves are delivered through a transducer. Your provider at Sarasota OB/GYN Associates glides this wand-like device across your belly and pelvic region during the exam. 

Some symptoms require a transvaginal ultrasound, where your provider inserts a sterile transducer into the vagina. A transvaginal ultrasound gives your provider a better image of your uterus.

The soundwaves painlessly pass through your skin and bounce off your organs or a baby and return messages to a computer, which then forms an image. The image reveals information such as:

• Your baby’s size, developmental stage, and sex
• Your reproductive organs, including uterus, ovaries, and fallopian tubes
• Any irregular tissue, such as uterine fibroids or cysts

Your provider reads the ultrasound to inform your gynecological treatment or prenatal care.

Why would I need a gynecological ultrasound?

Ultrasounds are periodically scheduled during your pregnancy to check on the development of your baby. They give you a chance to get a picture of your future child and find out the sex, as well as evaluate growth.

Ultrasounds have a diagnostic role outside of pregnancy. You may need an ultrasound if you have symptoms like irregular uterine bleeding, pelvic pain, or trouble conceiving. Ultrasounds can look for issues such as:

• Uterine fibroids
• Ovarian cysts
• Structural abnormalities

Ultrasounds may also be ordered to rule out another condition. 

How often are ultrasounds performed during pregnancy?

Sarasota OB/GYN Associates customizes your prenatal ultrasound schedule to your individual needs. At a minimum, you’ll have an ultrasound at your first prenatal appointment to confirm pregnancy. This ultrasound also helps estimate your due date. 

You’ll also have an ultrasound at 20 weeks to check on the baby’s development, evaluate your uterus and the position of the placenta, and determine gender.

For convenient in-office ultrasounds and expert evaluation, call or book an appointment online with Sarasota OB/GYN Associates today.