Ob/Gyn Ultrasound
Ultrasound Services
We are able to provide most of your needed ultrasound services in our offices. The ultrasounds performed in our office are reviewed by the Radiologists at Prentice Women’s Hospital or specialists in Medical imaging. Patients insured with United Health Care are required to obtain an order for the necessary ultrasound and schedule at the hospital.
Obstetrical Ultrasounds
Using state of the art ultrasound equipment, you can share in the experience of seeing your baby grow and mark the milestones in their development as your pregnancy progresses. Obstetrical ultrasounds are usually done vaginally until after 10 weeks and are done with an empty bladder.
Here are the times in your pregnancy that you can expect ultrasounds. Remember that these ultrasounds are for normal pregnancies.
Ultrasound Type | Gestational age |
Early Pregnancy and Dating | 7 to 10 Weeks |
Nuchal Translucency Screening (done at genetics office)LINK TO OB GENETICS | 11 to 13 Weeks + 6 Days |
Fetal Anatomy | 19 to 21 Weeks |
Growth Ultrasound, if appropriate | 30 to 34 Weeks |
Early Pregnancy and Dating Ultrasound
The first early ultrasound scan provides you with important information regarding the number of babies and the expected date of delivery. The presence of a pregnancy and detection of the fetal heart can be seen from 6 weeks gestation by vaginal scan and from 8-9 weeks by abdominal scan. Accurate measurements and images are taken of the gestational sac, the crown to rump length.
Fetal Anatomy Scan
Between 19-21 weeks the anatomy of your baby is scanned in detail so that any information about the many body systems, such as the urinary tract, digestive tract, heart and major blood vessels, brain and others, can be imaged and interpreted. During this ultrasound the sex of the baby can usually, but not always, be seen. If a Level II ultrasound is necessary, you will obtain an order and schedule at the hospital.
Prentice Women’s Hospital 312-926-7657
Northwestern Memorial Hospital 312-695-8095
Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital 312-694-8973
Growth Scan
This scan will tell us that your baby is growing as expected. We follow along with a tape measure on the outside at your visits but this scan give us a much more accurate idea about the baby’s growth and will give us an early warning if all is not as anticipated.
Gynecological Ultrasounds
Gynecologic ultrasounds are useful in diagnosing patients who may have: abnormal bleeding, pelvic pain, ovarian cysts, for IUD insertion follow-up, ovulation studies for infertility and fibroids. Gynecological ultrasounds are generally performed vaginally; therefore, a full bladder is usually not required. Occasionally a physician may order an abdominal ultrasound of the pelvis, which would require a full bladder. Under these circumstances, the patient will need to finish drinking 32 ounces of any fluid, with the exception of milk, one hour prior to the ultrasound.
Ultrasound procedures performed in our office include –