Maybe you have seen an ultrasound exam in a movie or heard friends talk about it. But what exactly is an ultrasound, and what should you expect during an appointment? Here’s the scoop on limited obstetric ultrasounds.
What is an ultrasound?
An ultrasound exam is a diagnostic tool that uses high-frequency sound waves to produce internal images of your body. It is considered to be a safe, painless procedure.
What kind of ultrasound will I get at A Door of Hope?
A Door of Hope offers limited obstetrical ultrasound examinations. This type of ultrasound focuses on three things:
- Verifying that the pregnancy is in the right place (inside the uterus)
- Verifying that there is a heartbeat (fetal cardiac activity)
- Measuring how far along you are (estimated gestational age)
Limited obstetrical ultrasound exams are not intended to detect or diagnose medical problems or conditions. A Door of Hope can help you find an OB/GYN in our area, as we want to help you get prenatal care as quickly as possible.
What can I expect during the ultrasound?
During your ultrasound exam, you will lie on an exam table and have a warm gel placed on your abdomen. One of our licensed Registered Nurses (RNs) will move a transducer (a wand-like instrument) across your abdomen. This transducer produces images that will display on a monitor so you can see what’s going on in your womb in real-time. The nurse will verify where the pregnancy is, check fetal cardiac activity, and take measurements to estimate gestational age.
In some cases, an internal ultrasound may be recommended. Internal ultrasounds utilize a special transducer, about the size of a tampon, which is inserted into the vagina.
All of our scans are reviewed by a board-certified radiologist.
How much do ultrasounds cost at A Door of Hope?
Our ultrasounds, like all of our services, are entirely free! Call us at 302-998-9000 to schedule an appointment.