Obstetric Ultrasound

Obstetric ultrasound allows the medical professionals at California Maternal Fetal Medicine, led by Marwan Ali, MD, MBA, FACOG, FACMG, to see your baby’s development while inside your womb. They use this tool to examine the fetus closely. To learn more about obstetric ultrasound, call the office in Folsom, Redding, Chico, Sacramento, or Davis, California, or book online today.

What is an obstetric ultrasound?

The California Maternal Fetal Medicine team uses obstetric ultrasound to help them see the development of the baby growing inside your womb without using radiation. It takes pictures of the embryo or fetus and also captures images of your uterus and ovaries. Your provider uses this tool to monitor your pregnancy and unborn child.

Their 3D and 4D obstetric ultrasounds and a fetal echocardiogram can also screen for birth defects and chromosome issues. The 3D ultrasound takes pictures from various angles to form three-dimensional images. The 4D ultrasound is a lot like the 3D. However, it shows movement, so you can watch your baby do things like open their eyes, kick, and even suck their thumb.

Is obstetric ultrasound right for me?

If you’re pregnant, the California Maternal Fetal Medicine team offers obstetric ultrasound imaging for all pregnant women, whether you have a low or high-risk pregnancy. The obstetric ultrasound is safe and has no harmful effects.

How does obstetric ultrasound work?

During your obstetric ultrasound exam, your provider applies ultrasound gel on your abdomen and then moves a small probe over the area. It transmits high-frequency sound waves through the gel into your body. The sound waves bounce back, and the probe gathers them to create a real-time image on the monitor, allowing you and your provider to see your fetus move and watch the heartbeat.

Why should I have an obstetric ultrasound?

Obstetric ultrasound serves many purposes, including:

• Confirms your pregnancy
• Checks your baby’s age and growth
• Determines your due date
• Checks your baby’s overall development
• Determines if you’re pregnant with more than one baby
• Finds out the position of your baby’s head before birth
• Examines your ovaries and womb
• Screens for birth defects
• Assists with chorionic villus sampling (CVS) or amniocentesis
• Checks for pregnancy complications
  

If you have questions about having an obstetric ultrasound, take a moment to ask your provider.

How do I prepare for an obstetric ultrasound?

Obstetric ultrasound doesn’t require any special preparation. However, wear loose-fitting clothing or a top and bottom so your provider can access your lower abdominal area easily. Also, don’t wear jewelry.

Call today or book online any time to schedule an appointment at California Maternal Fetal Medicine for obstetric ultrasound.