Ultrasound (Sonogram) uses high frequency sound waves rather than x-rays to take pictures of the uterus, ovaries, and other abdominal organs. Most women are familiar with ultrasound due to the widespread use of ultrasound in pregnancy to evaluate a developing fetus.
An early Obstetric ultrasound determines the viability of a pregnancy, the gestational age of the pregnancy, (how far pregnant you are) and the proper location of a pregnancy in the uterus. As early as 7 weeks after a last menstrual period (5 weeks after conception) ultrasound can detect a heart beat in a healthy pregnancy. We will inform you when to schedule your ultrasound based on your last menstrual period, a known date of conception, or blood hormone levels. While a normal early obstetric ultrasound is reassuring, it is not a guarantee that the pregnancy will continue and result in a full term healthy baby.
We offer First Trimester Screening (Nuchal thickness Measurement) to screen for genetic abnormalities. Talk to your physician for more information.
Early obstetric ultrasounds are performed both transabdomionally and transvaginally. Transabdominal ultrasound requires a full bladder. Therefore, in preparation for your ultrasound you should drink 24 oz of water (or any other drink) one hour prior to your appointment time. No other preparation is necessary. We generally run on time, but if you are miserable, it is fine to go to the washroom and release a small amount (about a cupful) of urine. Do not empty your bladder completely.
While lying on a table, a transducer is gently pressed to your lower abdomen over your uterus and ovaries. A gel is placed between the transducer and your skin to improve contact and transmission of sound waves. Ultrasounds are painless besides the discomfort of pressure against a very full bladder. Once the technician has completed the abdominal portion of the exam, she will ask you to go to the washroom and empty your bladder completely. You then return to the ultrasound suite, lie on the table and place your heels in the stirrups. Transvaginal ultrasound involves a thin condom covered wand (probe) that is inserted in the vagina. The gel is placed in the condom, not in your vagina. Transvaginal ultrasound has the advantage of not requiring a full bladder and gives a better image of the cavity of the uterus. It is also generally more useful to evaluate endometrial (uterine lining) thickness. Generally you can place the probe yourself with the help of the technician.
A full evaluation usually includes both transvaginal and transabdominal ultrasounds. Some women only need a transabdominal or a transvaginal ultrasound. Your doctor will inform the technician in advance if that is the case.
Images can be seen (and stored) on the computer monitor. Our ultrasound suites all have wall-mounted monitors so that you can see what the technician is seeing. Ultrasound pictures can also be printed as a permanent record or recorded on a CD.
Rarely, women are slightly sore from the transvaginal probe or have a light pink discharge for a day or two. In most cases there are no after effects and you can return to your normal activities immediately.
Our technician will digitally send the ultrasound to the radiologist at Northwestern Memorial Hospital who will interpret the ultrasound and prepare a preliminary report. The doctors who interpret our ultrasounds are experts who read ONLY Obstetric and Gynecologic ultrasounds. We generally have a written report within 20 minutes. We recommend that when you schedule your ultrasound you also schedule an appointment with your doctor or the physician assistant immediately following the ultrasound. She can then sit down with you and review your results. If you have not scheduled an appointment with your doctor she will either call you to discuss results or ask that you schedule an in-office consultation. If your ultrasound was performed at the hospital or another outside location, we generally will not have results for 2-3 days. The technician who performs the ultrasound will not discuss results and we appreciate if you do not ask her to do so.
Can an ultrasound disrupt the pregnancy or increase the chance of miscarriage?
No, there is no evidence that an ultrasound will disrupt a pregnancy.
I am not sure I want to continue the pregnancy and I would prefer not to see the screen.
Please let the technician know you would prefer not to see the screen and she will position it so you can't see it.
What if the final report is different from the original report?
This rarely occurs, but in the case that the final report has new or different information, your doctor will contact you within a week.
What if it is too difficult for me to have a full bladder or my ultrasound is scheduled "last minute" and there is no time to fill my bladder?
Do the best you can. If your bladder is not full enough, the technician will proceed directly to a transvaginal scan.
Can I bring someone with me?
An adult friend or relative may accompany you but small children are not permitted in the ultrasound suite.
What if I am bleeding or spotting?
An ultrasound can be performed if you are bleeding. Please remove your tampon in the bathroom before you enter the ultrasound suite. The medical assistant or ultrasound tech will provide a pad if you need one. You can reinsert your tampon immediately following the exam.
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