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 ultrasound 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 or use the online booking feature today.
What is ultrasound?
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.
What type of ultrasound might I need?
At Burlington OBGYN Associates we can perform two types of ultrasound exams:
Transabdominal ultrasound: During a transabdominal ultrasound (the most common type), ultrasound gel is applied to your skin and the transducer is placed against the gel. They gently press the device against your skin and move it around to visualize the target area.
Transvaginal ultrasound: 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.
How is ultrasound used in obstetrics or prenatal care?
Ultrasound exam in early pregnancy is done to determine the baby’s gestational age, find a possible ectopic pregnancy, and learn the number of embryos in the womb.
During prenatal care, ultrasound is typically done in the second 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. Ultrasound exams can help detect certain types of growth anomalies in the baby, early detection of which can help formulate a good plan for the unborn child. Our doctors may also opt to do ultrasound at any stage of your pregnancy if they determine it’s necessary to assess the baby’s health.
How is ultrasound used in gynecology?
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:
Our experts may also use ultrasound to determine if a lump in your breast is a solid mass or a cyst.
Call the Burlington OBGYN Associates. office today to request a consultation or request an appointment using the book online link.