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Ultrasound gives pregnant parents the first exciting view of their baby, but the technology also diagnoses a wide range of obstetric and gynecological conditions. Burlington OBGYN Associates Inc. in Burlington, Massachusetts, offers ultrasounds in the office, so you can get all the care you need in one convenient location. If you have questions about ultrasound or need to schedule an appointment, call Burlington OBGYN Associates Inc. or use the online booking feature today.
Ultrasound, also called a sonogram, uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of the organs and tissues inside your body, including an unborn baby. This is the perfect imaging technique during pregnancy because it doesn’t involve harmful radiation.
Ultrasound is done with a handheld device called a transducer. The transducer sends sound waves into your body. The waves bounce off the tissues they encounter and return to the transducer. Then the transducer sends the information to a computer, which converts the echoes into an image.
Your Burlington OBGYN Associates Inc. provider does two types of ultrasound:
During a transabdominal ultrasound (the most common type), your provider applies ultrasound gel to your skin and places the transducer against the gel. They gently press the device against your skin and move it around until they get the best image.
This type of ultrasound uses a slim transducer designed to go into your vagina. With the transducer in your vagina, the sound waves don’t have to pass through your skin. As a result, it creates better images of your pelvic organs, the placenta, and an unborn baby.
Some women have an ultrasound early in their pregnancy to determine the baby’s gestational age, find a possible ectopic pregnancy, and learn the number of embryos in the womb.
During their prenatal care, all pregnant women have an ultrasound in the second trimester. This ultrasound evaluates the growth and health of their baby. It also lets parents see their baby for the first time and often (but not always) reveals the baby’s sex.
Your provider can also do an ultrasound at any stage of your pregnancy if they determine it’s necessary to assess the baby’s health.
Ultrasound is an essential diagnostic tool when your provider needs to determine the cause of symptoms like pelvic pain, abnormal bleeding, or irregular periods. Gynecological conditions often diagnosed with ultrasound include:
Your Burlington OBGYN Associates Inc. provider may also use ultrasound to determine if a lump in your breast is a solid mass or a cyst.
Call the Burlington OBGYN Associates Inc. office today or use online booking if you need to schedule an ultrasound.