OB/GYN Ultrasound Exams

Information copyrighted by
and provided courtesy of the
American Institute of
Ultrasound Medicine (AIUM)

Will an obstetrical ultrasound exam hurt?
There is no pain from an ultrasound examination. If you have been asked to fill your bladder, this may cause some discomfort. In early pregnancy, it may be necessary to put a special transducer (scanner) in your vagina, so the very small baby can be seen. You will be able to empty your bladder before this type of exam is done. It will not hurt, but you may feel some pressure. It does not hurt the baby.

Can I see the baby move?
The baby's heartbeat and movement of its body, arms, and legs can be seen by ultrasound, depending on the age of the baby. The baby can be seen moving during an ultrasound examination many weeks before the mother can feel movement.

Does an ultrasound examination guarantee a normal baby?
No. The ability to detect abnormalities depends on many things. For instance, the size and position of your baby may not allow certain abnormalities to be seen. Some types of abnormalities cannot be seen, because they are too small or not visible by ultrasound.

Why might my doctor recommend a pelvic ultrasound exam?
Information obtained from a manual gynecological exam alone may be incomplete. With pelvic sonograms, anatomy is visualized and may help explain findings from a manual exam or present additional information.

How is pelvic sonography performed?
There are two main methods of performing pelvic ultrasound: abdominal (transabdominal) and vaginal (transvaginal, endovaginal). The same principles of high-frequency sound previously described apply in each technique.

Abdominal or transabdominal ultrasound is performed by a sonographer or physician who places a transducer on the surface of the abdomen. A small amount of gel is used on the skin to ensure good transducer contact. The transducer slides over the skin, sending and receiving ultrasonic pulses that are then converted into images on a television screen.

Vaginal (transvaginal, endovaginal) sonography involves the insertion of a transducer into the vagina. The tip of the transducer may be circular or oblong but is usually smaller than the standard speculum used when obtaining a routine Pap smear. A protective cover is placed over the transducer, which is then lubricated with a small amount of gel. The transducer is inserted into the vagina either by the physician or sonographer, or you may be asked to insert it as you would a tampon.

Are there any special preparations for pelvic ultrasounds?
Abdominal scanning is usually done with the patient lying flat on an examination table. Garments are elevated or pulled down to expose the lower abdomen to the pubic bone. Abdominal scanning may require a full bladder, which provides a "window" through which the pelvic organs may be seen. Therefore you may be asked to drink a large quantity of water and/or refrain from urinating just prior to the examination.

Preparations for a vaginal scanning are similar to those for a routine manual pelvic examination. You must disrobe from the waist down. You will need to assume a position similar to the one used for a Pap smear. Either your legs are placed in stirrups or your buttocks elevated by a thick cushion. Your bladder should be completely empty.

Is vaginal sonography painful or harmful?
Although the examination is often performed to look for a cause of pelvic pain, the sonogram itself should not be painful or significantly increase your discomfort. A vaginal sonogram is usually more comfortable than a manual examination.

If you have been experiencing vaginal bleeding, whether pregnant or not, a careful vaginal sonogram will not be harmful and may be helpful in determining the cause of the bleeding.

Which is preferable: abdominal or vaginal ultrasound?
Each method of examination has its advantages. The transabdominal approach offers a panoramic view of the entire pelvis. This shows where one internal structure is in relation to another. Improved visualization may be achieved using the vaginal approach, since the transducer is brought closer to the area being examined. Thus, it can be very helpful in seeing the fetal heart beat in an early pregnancy, evaluating the uterus, or measuring a cyst in an ovary. The physician or sonographer performing your sonogram will decide whether one or a combination of approaches is best for your particular case.

Where do I get more information about specific ultrasound procedures?
For more information or to purchase copies of complete patient pamphlets on specific topics including abdomen, Doppler, obstetrics, safety, gynecology and prostate, send a check for $1.50 per pamphlet made payable to the AIUM to Publications Department, AIUM, 14750 Sweitzer Lane, Suite 100, Laurel, MD 20707-5906. Be sure to indicate which of the six patient pamphlets you would like to receive and include payment of $1.50 for each pamphlet requested. For information on a career in sonography, write to Media Manager, AIUM, 14750 Sweitzer Lane, Suite 100, Laurel, MD 20707-5906.

Information on this website and links to other websites is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Consult with a physician or appropriate medical care provider regarding any medical concerns, questions, or issues you may have. Women's Health Care, P.C. is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse the content of, any other website to which it may provide a link. If you are in need of OB/GYN medical care you may contact the office of Women's Health Care, P.C., Tulsa, OK at 918-749-0804.