What is a Prenatal Ultrasound?

A prenatal ultrasound transmits high-frequency sound waves through the abdomen. The echoes are then transformed into photographic images of your baby. During pregnancy, ultrasound will be used to evaluate the baby, the placenta, the uterine wall, and even your ovaries. Most major birth defects can be seen on ultrasound.

How is an Ultrasound performed?

The majority of prenatal ultrasounds are performed by scanning through your abdomen.  On occasion, a transvaginal ultrasound is necessary to improve the image quality or to assess different parts of your anatomy or of the baby’s anatomy. Very early in pregnancy, transvaginal ultrasound is the preferred method of evaluating pregnancies because the transducer can get so much closer to the image needing to be studied.

Ultrasounds are typically performed on all pregnant women at 20 weeks gestation. During that ultrasound, it will be confirmed that your baby appears normal and is growing properly. You will be able to see the baby’s heartbeat and see the body, arms and legs move. Gender can usually be determined at 20 weeks. Be sure to tell the sonographer performing the ultrasound whether or not you want to know the gender of your baby!

Is it Safe?

Studies have not found obstetrical ultrasounds to be harmful or hazardous in any way. Remember, ultrasounds do not use radiation – such as X-rays and CT scans. They use sound waves.

How Should I Prepare?

You should drink 4 to 6 glasses of water before your ultrasound, so that your bladder is full. A full bladder will help the doctor view the baby better on the ultrasound.  If you are having a transvaginal ultrasound however, you will probably be asked to empty your bladder before the exam starts.

What Happens?

You will lie on a padded examining table during the test and a small amount of water-soluble gel is applied to the skin over your abdomen. The gel does not harm your skin or stain your clothes.

A small device, called a transducer, is gently applied against the skin on your abdomen. The transducer sends high-frequency sound waves into the body, which reflect off internal structures, including your baby. The sound waves or echoes that reflect back are received by the transducer and transformed into a picture on a screen.

There is virtually no discomfort during the test. Because a full bladder is required for the test, you may feel some discomfort when the probe is applied over the bladder. You may be asked to hold your breath briefly several times.

An ultrasound takes 30-45 minutes to complete.

Will Insurance Pay?

Insurance will pay for the ultrasound if it is deemed medically necessary. If you have an ultrasound that is not medically necessary (for example, to simply see the baby or find out the baby's sex), your insurance company may not pay for the ultrasound.

What is a 3-D and 4-D Ultrasound?

3-D ultrasound is a picture of the outside surface of the baby. A moving picture interpretation is referred to as a 4-D ultrasound. It’s important for patients to remember that the 3D pictures are fun to have, but they typically tell us very little about the actual structures inside the baby. For that reason, 2D ultrasound is the most accurate method to evaluate the baby for birth defects.

AIUM Certified

In an increasingly competitive health care climate with limited resources, it is imperative that ultrasound practitioners demonstrate excellence in their practices. The American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine (AIUM) Ultrasound Practice Accreditation Council has developed standards for the accreditation of ultrasound practices. MUSC Women’s Health is proud to say that the Prenatal Wellness Center has been accredited since 2001.

Why MUSC?

- We’ve demonstrated and maintained excellence with AIUM Certification.
- One of 7 registered sonographers will perform your ultrasound.
- A Maternal Fetal Medicine Specialist will review your ultrasound and you will be informed of any birth defects or problems on the day of your visit.
- As a keepsake, you will receive a CD of ultrasound images of your baby and several paper prints as well.
- We make every attempt to remain on schedule and our goal is to have your visit completed within 75 minutes of your appointment time. However, unforeseen circumstances can arise which delay our progression. We will make every attempt to notify you if there is a significant delay. Most importantly, we guarantee that you will receive the time attention necessary to meet your needs.

by:  Jill Mauldin, M.D.

Request an appointment with a MUSC provider