Sonogram (Ultra-sound)

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REWRITE Ultrasound is a technique by which sound waves are bounced into your body, and their reflections captured by a machine which transform them into an image that we can read. Ultrasound does not involve radiation and we do not use dyes that need to be injected or swallowed. The sound waves are produced and received by a small “transducer” that resembles a soap bar connected by a cable to the machine. You will be laying on your back on a regular examination bed, not in a machine that looks like a tunnel.

FIRST TRIMESTER	THIRD TRIMESTER

    A sonogram, or ultra-sound scan, uses sound waves to produce echoes of objects in water and made of soft tissue. These echoes are converted, by computer, to moving pictures on a screen. Ultra-sound is NOT IONIZING RADIATION and has no risk to Mom or baby.
    You will be asked to have a full bladder for your scan because this will cause the uterus to be pushed upwards out of the pelvis. Your abdomen will be covered with a water soluble gel because sound waves travel through liquid. A probe is placed on your abdomen and a moving picture of your baby is seen on the screen. You may even see your baby sucking its thumb.
    Sonograms are done at various times during pregnancy. They are used to identify any anatomic or developmental abnormalities; to check for the size of the baby; and to assist in procedures such as amniocentesis, CVS, fetoscopy (A procedure that looks at the baby directly in-utero through a special instrument) and fetal surgery; to confirm the baby's position near birth; to locate the placenta; to detect the number of babies present; and to assess how well the baby is doing.
    In some countries, sonograms are performed twice during pregnancy. Once at 16 - 18 weeks to assess fetal abnormalities, and again at 32-34 weeks to assess age and well-being. There is some controversy in the United States on the need for sonograms in a normal pregnancy. However, most care giovers advise patients to have a sonogram at 16-18 weeks to assess fetal abnormalities.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES THAT MAY HELP:

	What is an Ultra-Sound?		About Prenatal Ultrasounds
	First Trimester Ultra-Sound		Ultra-Sound During Pregnancy
	Second Trimester Ultra-Sound		Ultra Sounds in Pregnancy
	Third Trimester Ultra-Sound		Sonograms - The FAQ's
	Ask NOAH about Sonograms

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Excerpts from: The Family Pregnancy © 1995: MJ Bovo, The Family Pregnancy, Second Edition, currently in production, and Do You Have Any Questions? © 1995: MJ Bovo, are contained within this page. Reprints are not permitted under any circumstances. Please see Terms of Use for full expanation. Violations of the Copyright Code are taken seriously and appropriate action IS TAKEN AGAINST VIOLATERS.