Ultrasound and OB Ultrasound
Ultrasound
Ultrasound is safe and painless. It produces pictures of the inside of
the body using sound waves. Ultrasound imaging is also called ultrasound
scanning or sonography. It uses a small probe called a transducer and
gel placed directly on the skin. High-frequency sound waves travel from
the probe through the gel into the body. The probe collects the sounds
that bounce back. A computer uses those sound waves to create an image.
Ultrasound exams do not use radiation (as used in x-rays). Because images
are captured in real-time, they can show the structure and movement of
the body's internal organs. They can also show blood flowing through
blood vessels. This is a noninvasive medical test that helps physicians
diagnose and treat medical conditions.
OB Ultrasound
Obstetric ultrasound uses sound waves to produce pictures of a baby (embryo
or fetus) within a pregnant woman, as well as the mother's uterus
and ovaries. It does not use ionizing radiation, has no known harmful
effects, and is the preferred method for monitoring pregnant women and
their unborn babies.
Benefits of Ultrasound
- Most ultrasound is non invassive.
- Ultrasound is widely available and easy-to-use
- Ultrasound imaging does not use radiation.
- Ultrasound scanning gives a clear picture of soft tissues that do not show
up well on x-ray images.
- Ultrasound is the preferred method for the monitoring of pregnant women
and their unborn babies.
- Ultrasound has been used to evaluate pregnancy for nearly four decades
and there has been no evidence of harm to the patient, embryo or fetus.
- Ultrasound allows the doctor to see inside the uterus and provides much
information about the pregnancy.