What is an ultrasound?
Ultrasound technology uses sound waves to produce images of your internal organs and tissues. The procedure is painless, noninvasive, and free of ionizing radiation, so it’s safe for both you and your baby.
Austin Springs Women's Health uses ultrasound to confirm your pregnancy early on as well as to monitor the development of your baby throughout pregnancy.
For diagnostic testing, the team may recommend an ultrasound to view your internal reproductive organs, including your vagina, cervix, uterus, and fallopian tubes, to identify abnormalities or diagnose the cause of pelvic pain and irregular periods.
Abnormalities may include:
- Fibroids
- Ovarian cysts
- Endometriosis
- Pelvic inflammatory disease
- Ectopic pregnancy
Austin Springs Women's Health can also utilize ultrasound technology to determine the cause of infertility issues that affect your ability to become pregnant.
What happens during an ultrasound?
During your ultrasound, you’ll rest comfortably on an exam table. First, a conductive gel is placed on your abdomen to help sound waves pass through your body. Then a handheld transducer wand is moved across your abdomen, transmitting sound waves into the uterus.
As the waves bounce off your internal structures, black and white images or a video project onto an external monitor.
What types of ultrasounds are available?
Austin Springs Women's Health offers several high-quality ultrasound technologies to evaluate pelvic organs and monitor the development of your baby.
The ultrasounds available at the practice include:
Standard ultrasound
A basic ultrasound test that produces two-dimensional images of your fetus or internal organs.
3D ultrasound
This ultrasound collects imaging information by moving a transducer wand across the abdomen, creating 3D images of the baby or your internal organs.
4D ultrasound
This ultrasound uses a transducer wand to collect 3D images of the baby or internal organs, collecting images in real time that allow you to view a live video of your baby in utero.
Transvaginal ultrasound
Using a transducer inserted into the vagina, this technology is most often used during the early stages of a pregnancy or to diagnose gynecologic issues.
To schedule an appointment at Austin Springs Women's Health, call the office directly or use the online booking feature.
