There is often much anticipation for an expectant mother throughout pregnancy. She may wonder about everything from physical features to personality traits of her developing baby. One of the major milestones during pregnancy is the ultrasound. To ensure a greater understanding of the procedure, Drs. Tomeka Robertswill explain what to expect with an ultrasound at our Birmingham office.
During an ultrasound, we use high-frequency sound waves to scan the abdomen and pelvic activity. This results in a sonogram or picture of the developing baby and placenta. Expectant parents can often find out the sex of the baby during the procedure in the second trimester, typically making this appointment a highly anticipated one.
To enhance the experience, we provide 3-D and 4-D ultrasound technology to expectant parents. The 3-D technology generates 3-D images of the baby. The 4-D ultrasound reveals movements and facial features during a live stream video.
During the procedure, we place gel on the abdomen to serve as a conductor for the sound waves. We use a transducer to project sound waves into the uterus. The sound waves bounce off tissue and bone, returning to the transducer to generate images of the baby.
Ultrasounds can detect abnormalities related to pregnancy. An ultrasound exam is used throughout pregnancy. In the first trimester, we can perform an ultrasound to confirm a viable pregnancy as well as heartbeat and measure the gestational age. In the second trimester, the technology is used to diagnose fetal malformation or structural abnormalities, confirm multiple pregnancies, verify growth, and determine the sex of the baby. In the third trimester, we can use ultrasound to identify the location of the placenta and any uterine or pelvic abnormalities of the expectant mother.
We understand pregnancy is an exciting time in life and we would be honored to be a part of your journey. Do you want to learn more about the gentle care we provide for expectant mothers as well as all of our patients? Schedule a consultation with Dr. Roberts today by calling our friendly team at 205.518.9800.