What is ultrasound?
Ultrasound (or "ultrasonography") is a medical diagnostic tool that uses high frequency sound waves to produce images of structures within the body. This test is commonly used during pregnancy to evaluate the fetus and the mother. Ultrasound allows your doctor to evaluate both structural aspects (i.e. whether the fetus' body is developing normally) and functional aspects (i.e. whether the fetus and its organs are operating as they should). Because it is a "real time" imaging procedure, doctors can examine such processes as body motion, cardiac activity and breathing movements.
When in pregnancy is ultrasound performed?
Ultrasound may be performed at any time during a pregnancy depending on the indications (to be discussed later in this article).
What are we looking for?
First Trimester
In the first trimester (first 3 months), ultrasound is primarily performed to evaluate vaginal bleeding, assess the age of the fetus, and confirm that the fetus is alive. Chorionic villus sampling, a way to evaluate the genes of the fetus (described in more detail below), is also performed in the first trimester. Ultrasound is used to assist in this procedure.
Second Trimester
In the second trimester (third through sixth months) ultrasound is generally performed to evaluate the fetus for anatomic or structural abnormalities. Abnormalities may be suspected because of a prior abnormal pregnancy, or because of a blood test.
Copyright 2009 NBC Health
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