Congratulations! You have taken a positive step with your health and reproductive care. We would like to present to you our services and different procedures. Please browse the short description of the procedures, so you’ll have an idea about this. Being properly informed, although not meant to be an alternative to actual consultation with your OB-GYN, empowers you to work with your OB-GYN as an active participant and decision maker regarding your health concerns.
Pelvic ultrasound uses sound waves to make images of organs and structures in the lower abdomen (pelvis)
Nice to knowIn OB-GYN pelvic ultrasound looks at:
The bladder, uterus, cervix, ovaries and fallopian tubes of a woman
It can be done in three ways: Transabdominal, transrectal and transvaginal for the usual approach and alternatively transperineal and translabial approach for imaging the female pelvis.
Indications for a pelvic ultrasound include but are not limited to the following:
In OBSTETRICS:
- Determination of gestational age, viability
- Fetal number
- Cardiac activity
- Placental localization
- To detect major fetal anomalies
- To check for fetal well being
- To check for uterine, cervical or adnexal/ ovarian abnormalities
In GYNECOLOGY:
- To check for uterine, endometrial, cervical and ovarian/adnexal abnormalities
- Evaluation, monitoring and treatment of gynecologic conditions
- For doing HSSG, SISH, IUD monitoring
- For planning and guiding gynecologic interventions
The ultrasound probe called transducer is passed back and forth over the lower abdomen after a transducing agent (ultrasound gel) is applied liberally over the area of interest.
This procedure may require a fluid-filled bladder and as such the sonologist may require you to drink plenty of fluids (commonly water) before the procedure.
The transducer shaped to fit the anus is covered by a probe cover or most commonly a condom then placed inside the anal canal after a liberal amount of lubricant is placed over the covered probe for ease of insertion into the anus. This is preferably done after adequate bowel preparation.
This is the procedure of choice when the transabdominal or transvaginal approach is not ideal (patients with no sexual contact).
The transducer covered by a probe cover or condom is placed inside a woman’s vaginal canal after appropriate lubrication of the probe is done.
This is the procedure of choice in female patients who are already sexually active or those who have given birth in the past.
HOW DOES THE PROCEDURE FEEL?
If you’ll have the transabdominal ultrasound, you will likely feel pressure in your bladder and a strong urge to urinate because your bladder is full.
The gel may feel cold when it is put on your abdomen.
If you’ll have the transrectal or transvaginal ultrasound, you most likely will have a little but tolerable pain or discomfort during the procedure. You will feel pressure from the transducer probe as it is put into your rectum or vagina and rotated to adjust the view displayed on the monitor.
FETAL ULTRASOUND
This is a test done during pregnancy that uses reflected sound waves to produce an image of the fetus, the placenta and the amniotic fluid. The image is displayed on a TV screen (if the center is equipped) and may be in black and white or in color (3D/4D scan).
This is the safest way to check for problems and get information about your fetus, such as its size and position. It does not use radiation that may harm your fetus. It can be done as early as the 5th week of pregnancy. The sex of your fetus can sometimes be determined by about the 20th week of pregnancy.
WHY IS IT DONE?
Fetal ultrasound is done to learn about the health of your baby. Different information is gained at different times (trimesters) during your pregnancy.
FETAL ULTRASOUND RESULTS MAY BE AFFECTED BY:
Being overweight or obese, Stool (feces) or air in the intestines or rectum An abnormally low amount of amniotic fluid, Some fetal positions that are not ideal for visualizing certain structures especially in advanced gestations Not being able to lie still during the procedure (discomfort at lying down)A very active fetus
WHAT TO THINK ABOUT:
A normal fetal ultrasound result does not guarantee a normal healthy baby, as some conditions cannot be detected by ultrasound (autism)Your doctor may recommend additional tests or procedures if the results of your fetal ultrasound are not normal. Your due date may change based on fetal size and development but if you have a scan done in early pregnancy (first trimester), this may help your doctor in determining your baby’s gestational age based on that. Ultrasounds do not always show birth defects in the third trimester, fetal ultrasound does not accurately determine fetal age or weight.
BIOPHYSICAL PROFILE OR BIOPHYSICAL SCORING TEST (BPP/BPS)
A Biophysical Profile or Biophysical Scoring Test measures the health of your baby during pregnancy. A BPP/BPS test may include a non-stress test (NST) with electronic fetal heart rate monitoring and a fetal ultrasound.
It measures your baby’s heart rate, muscle tone, movement, breathing and the amount of amniotic fluid around your baby.
A BPP/BPS is commonly done in the last trimester of pregnancy. If there is a chance that your pregnancy may be high risk, your doctor may choose to have it done beginning at 32 to 34 weeks or earlier.
Some women with high risk pregnancies may have a BPP/BPS test every week or twice a week in the third trimester.
WHY IS IT DONE?
Learn about and keep track of your baby’s health
Special ultrasound methods are used to keep track of movement, increase in heart rate with movement (non-stress test), muscle tone, breathing rate, and the amount of amniotic fluid surrounding your baby. If these five areas are within normal range, your baby is considered to be in good health.
NON-STRESS TEST (NST)
External Fetal heart rate Monitoring (EFM) records your baby’s heart rate while your baby is moving or not moving. It is usually done together with the BPS.
EFM is done using two flat devices (sensors) held in place with elastic belts on your abdomen. One sensor uses reflected sound waves (ultrasound) to keep track of your baby’s heart rate. The other sensor measures the duration and intensity (if present) of your uterine contractions. The sensors are connected to a machine that records the information. Your baby’s heartbeat may be heard as a beeping sound or printed out on a graduated paper.
If your baby moves or you have a contraction, you may be asked to push a button on a hand held device connected to the machine. Your baby’s heart rate is recorded and compared to the record of movement of the baby or your uterine contractions. The test usually lasts about 30 minutes.
The results are scores on the five measurements in a 30 minute observation period.
A score of 8-10 points means that your baby is healthy. A score of 6-8 points means that you may need to be re-tested in 12 to 24 hours. A score of 4 or less may mean that the baby is having problems and further testing will be recommended.
WHAT AFFECTS THE TEST?
Reasons you may not be able to have the test or why the results may not be helpful include: The baby is in a position that makes an ultrasound scan difficult Being unable to lie still throughout the procedure Being overweight, which may make it difficult to correctly position the external monitoring device. An infection in either you or your baby Low (hypoglycemia) or high (hyperglycemia) blood sugar levels Taking medications such as Magnesium Sulfate and steroids (given to help the baby’s lung mature faster)Using alcohol or illegal drugs. In rare cases, stool (feces) or air in the intestines or rectum interfering with the fetal ultrasound.
WHAT TO THINK ABOUT:
A BPP/BPS test includes a non-stress test with EFM and a fetal ultrasound Additional tests such as Contraction Stress Test (CST) may be recommended if your results are not normal. A CST records changes in your baby’s heart rate when you have uterine contractions. It may be done to check on your baby’s health. If the baby does not move enough during a non-stress test. It may help predict whether your baby can handle the stress of labor and vaginal delivery. If there is a chance that you or your baby may have problems during your pregnancy, you may have a BPP/BPS test every week or twice a week during the last 12 weeks of your pregnancy. A BPP/BPS may be done after an injury, such as vehicular accident or fall YOUR CHANCE OF HAVING PROBLEMS MAY BE HIGHER IF YOU HAVE Certain medical conditions such as high blood pressure, kidney disease, diabetes, preeclampsia, or autoimmune diseases A history of a stillbirth or preeclampsia A history of Rh incompatibility A history of early labor, premature rupture of membranes (PROM), or placental problems A baby who seems small for the length of the pregnancy or is not growing (intrauterine Growth Restriction or IUGR)
5.DOPPLER ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS
One of the main goals of prenatal testing is to identify fetuses at increased risk for perinatal morbidity and mortality. Fetal hypoxia and asphyxia (lack of oxygen delivery to the fetus) often combined with Intrauterine Growth Restriction (IUGR) is associated with significantly increased risk.
Doppler ultrasound examines the blood vessels of both the mother and the fetus and studies the blood flow velocities within these vessels. There are certain maternal conditions (hypertension, diabetes) that can impair blood supply from the placenta and thus may cause impaired fetal growth.
CONGENITAL ANOMALY SCAN
Initial anatomy
Most often performed between 14 to 16 weeks. Your baby’s anatomy is evaluated for possible birth defects. It is important to note that all birth defects cannot be identified while you are pregnant and that certain birth defects can appear late during pregnancy.
Follow-up anatomy
This ultrasound is most often performed between 22 to 27 weeks. Your baby’s anatomy is re-evaluated for possible birth defects due to the fact that some features of your baby’s anatomy can now be better visualized at this point. Likewise parts of the baby are still developing and it is important to note that all birth defects cannot be identified while you are pregnant
3D/4D ULTRASOUND
The more conventional 2D ultrasound allows you to see the baby’s profile but not the entire face in one picture. 3D ultrasound, on the other hand, allows you to see the surface of the whole face in one image or picture. 4D ultrasound adds the dimension of time, so instead of seeing a 3D snapshot (still image) of the fetus, you get to see your baby moving in real time (grimacing, opening and closing of the eyes, yawning, sticking out its tongue) just like watching a movie.