Ultrasound
Sonographers at Carolina OB/GYN in Rock Hill, SC, perform ultrasound scans in a comfortable and safe environment. Feel confident that you receive the best care possible from our skilled and compassionate medical team.
What is an Ultrasound?
Ultrasound imaging, also referred to as sonography, uses sound waves to provide a picture of the inside of your body. It is a valuable tool to not only examine parts of the body, but also to diagnose a problem and to offer guidance during specific procedures. Since it does not use radiation, it is very safe and generally painless.
During an ultrasound, gel is placed onto your skin and then a wand called a transducer moves across the gel, sending high-frequency sound waves into the body. Depending on what needs to be viewed and why, there are some transducer wands intended to enter the body vaginally. Again, this should not cause any pain although you may experience slight discomfort as the wand is guided by the sonographer. Objects inside your body that are dense will create an echo, causing the ultrasound to bounce back. This is what enables them to be viewed on the screen during the ultrasound scan.
Your ultrasound may last between 10 minutes and one hour, depending on what is being looked at or tested. You will be able to see the image projected on a screen and certain details may be pointed out to you by the sonographer. Your doctor or nurse practitioner will review the images and discuss any findings with you privately.
Reasons to Have an Ultrasound
The following are just a handful of reasons an ultrasound may be recommended:
- Confirm pregnancy
- Monitor baby’s development during pregnancy
- Evaluate the mother’s health during pregnancy
- Examine the bladder, uterus, cervix, fallopian tubes, and ovaries
- Diagnose gynecologic conditions such as abnormal bleeding, cysts, or fibroids
What is a 3D Ultrasound?
While conventional ultrasound produces thin and flat images, a 3D ultrasound takes images at different angles and pieces them together. The result is a three-dimensional image, or one that showcases depth in addition to height and width. The trained sonographers at Carolina OB/GYN use 3D ultrasound not only to allow parents to see what their future baby will look like, but also to gain further insight into potential abnormalities. They use skill and experience to recognize any potential concerns and communicate them to you in a respectful manner that minimizes anxiety.
Schedule an Appointment
You deserve to receive patient-centered care from trained professionals, and you can always expect that with Carolina OB/GYN. Contact us to schedule an appointment.