Ultrasounding

What is an ultrasound?

An ultrasound scan (or sonogram) is a procedure that uses high-frequency sound waves to create an image of inside the body.

An ultrasound helps you to monitor an unborn baby in the womb and make sure it is developing normally. Your doctor might recommend that you have 1 or more ultrasounds to confirm the gestation of the pregnancy or at different points in your pregnancy to check the anatomy of the fetus for defects or problems.

Depending on how far along your pregnancy is, ultrasound images help your doctor:

• Estimate your due date
• See the position of the placenta
• See the size, position, movement, breathing and heart rate of the fetus
• See the amount of amniotic fluid in your uterus
• Find multiple pregnancies (twins, triplets, etc).

How does an ultrasound scan work?

An ultrasound probe that gives off high-frequency sound waves is used to scan a woman’s stomach.

You can’t hear these sound waves, but when they bounce off different parts of the body, they create “echoes” that are picked up by the probe and turned into a moving image.

This image is displayed on a monitor in real time while the scan is carried out.

What to expect

When booking an appointment here are a few tips about ultrasound scan procedures:

• Most appointments last about half an hour
• You may be told to drink water and not go to the toilet until after your scan
• You may be told to avoid eating before your scan
• You may need to remove some clothing (and/or wear a gown) during your scan