Ultrasound Family Viewing Suites

First OB Visit Ultrasound/First Trimester Ultrasound

All patients are offered an ultrasound exam at their first prenatal visit.  These early ultrasounds are generally performed vaginally (Transvaginal ultrasounds) as this improves the image quality and allows us to detect abnormal pregnancies and ectopic pregnancies much earlier.  When combined with blood testing (hCG levels) it allows us to reassure you the pregnancy is progressing normally, even if you've experienced some light vaginal spotting.  It also allows us the opportunity to provide you with information early if the pregnancy does not appear to be developing or progressing normally. This allows you the opportunity to be better prepared for upcoming complications.

In addition to following the hCG or pregnancy hormone levels, we also look for the development of specific fetal structures to help us reassure you.  If we are unable to see the gestational sac, yolk sac, fetal pole, and fetal heart motion, we will most likely bring you back for additional bloodwork and ultrasounds until we can completely reassure you the pregnancy is progressing normally.  Additionally, if your hormone levels are not rising as expected, we will generally repeat the ultrasound and bloodwork every 2-3 days until they normalize.

To learn more about the importance of ensuring all providers performing these exams are CERTIFIED, click here.

Actual NT/NB Image

Nt/NB is an ultrasound exam performed in-office on a highly sophisticated ultrasound machine.  It detects genetic birth defects such as Down syndrome and trisomy 18.  This non-invasive screening is performed around 12 weeks of pregnancy and measures the thickness at the back of the baby's neck (nuchal translucency) as well as the presence of the baby's nasal bone.  An increased thickness at the back of the baby's neck and/or and underdeveloped nasal bone may suggest birth defects.

According to Quest Diagnostics, when this ultrasound is combined with first trimester blood testing, it can detect 84% of babies with Down syndrome and about 75% of babies with trisomy 18.  If this combined testing is positive, further testing, genetic counseling, and high risk pregnancy care is then often arranged by the practice for the family. 

What is a Growth and Development Ultrasound and what will be measured?

• Your baby's head is usually visualized first and checks the shape and structure. Occasionally, severe brain problems may be visible at this stage. The sonographer will try to check your baby's face for a cleft lip, but cleft palates (the hard bony portion inside a baby's mouth) are hard to see and are not often picked up on scans.
  

• Your baby's spine is checked to make sure that all the bones line up and that the skin covers the spine over the back. Your baby's abdominal wall is also checked to make sure it covers all the internal organs at the front.
  

• Your baby's heart is looked at for its size and shape. The top two chambers, or atria, and the bottom two chambers, or ventricles, should be equal in size, and the valves should open and close with each heartbeat.
  

• Your baby's stomach should be visible below the heart. Your baby swallows some of the amniotic fluid that it lies in, which is seen in the stomach as a black bubble.
  

• Your baby's kidneys will be checked. The sonographer will check that your baby has two kidneys, and that urine flows freely into the bladder. If your baby's bladder is empty, it should fill up during the scan and be easy to see. Your baby has been passing urine every half an hour or so for some months now!
  

• Your baby's hands and feet are examined and the fingers and toes are looked at, but not counted.
  

• The placenta may be on the front or the back wall of your uterus, usually near the top (or fundus) so may be described as fundal on your scan report. Many are described as low, because they reach down to or cover the cervix, or neck of the womb. If your placenta is low, you'll have another scan in the third trimester, by which time most placentas will have moved away from the cervix. Read more about having a low-lying placenta.
  
  
• The umbilical cord: It is possible to count the three blood vessels in the umbilical cord, but this may not be done routinely.
  

• Amniotic fluid: There should be enough surrounding your baby to allow it to move freely.

A BPP test is a specific diagnostic ultrasound that measures the baby's and the placenta's health during pregnancy and if performed, is generally done after 26 weeks of pregnancy.  These tests are recommended if there is a question about your baby's growth, health and well being during an examination, maternal/fetal symptoms, or if the pregnancy is considered high risk due to problems in either the current pregnancy or previous pregnancies.  Some of the conditions where fetal testing/surveillance is routinely recommended include:

• Diabetes
• Blood pressure problems or pre-eclampsia
• Long standing kidney problems
• Problems with the fluid around the baby (too much, too little)
• You've previously lost a baby in the second half of pregnancy (for an unknown reason or because of a problem that might happen again in this pregnancy).
• Twins or multiple babies
• A prolonged pregnancy (beyond 40 weeks)
• Abnormal first trimester/second trimester screening tests during this pregnancy
• History of recurrent miscarriages and an associated clotting abnormality
• Lupus
• Or decreased fetal movement

3D/4D Ultrasound

We do not apply additional charges for 3D/4D ultrasounds.

Gynecology Patients

Our practice also provides gynecological ultrasounds for patients with special gynecological needs that include but are not limited to pelvic pain and abnormal bleeding.