Ultrasound

What is an ultrasound?

An ultrasound is a diagnostic test that uses high-frequency sound waves to make images of the inside of your body. Also known as sonograms, the procedure is safe and painless.

The ultrasound equipment sends the sound waves through your body. The sound waves bounce off of your internal organs at different speeds, depending on the density of the organ.

The ultrasound equipment collects the returning sound waves and uses them to create an image or video of the inside of your body based on the speed of the sound waves when they return to the machine.

Why would I need an ultrasound?

The team at Swor Women’s Care use ultrasounds to monitor pregnancies and to examine your pelvic organs for signs of disease or abnormalities. For example, if you have heavy, painful periods, your provider may use an ultrasound to look for signs of uterine fibroids or polycystic ovary syndrome. During pregnancy, your provider monitors the growth and development of your baby and the placenta and amniotic fluid.

How often should I have prenatal ultrasounds?

In most cases, you have two ultrasounds during your pregnancy. The first is early in your pregnancy to confirm the pregnancy and the number of babies. Your provider can also measure your baby at this point to determine its gestational age.

Then, you have another ultrasound around 20 weeks to check the growth and development of your baby. You can choose to learn the sex of your baby at the 20-week ultrasound appointment.

What happens during an ultrasound?

Ultrasounds are safe, painless, and noninvasive. You don’t need to do anything special to prepare for an ultrasound. During your appointment, you rest on a treatment table and move your clothing to reveal your abdomen.

Your ultrasound technician applies a gel to your skin, which amplifies the sound waves as they move through your body. Then, they glide a handheld transducer over your abdomen. This sends the sound waves through your body and collects them as they bounce back. Your provider examines the images created by the ultrasound and gives you information about your baby or your condition, depending on the reason for your ultrasound.

Call Swor Women’s Care or book your ultrasound appointment online today.