Northpointe is accredited by the American Institute of Ultrasound Medicine (AIUM) and offers in-house advanced resolution equipment to obtain the clearest, most precise imaging available. AIUM ultrasound practice accreditation is a voluntary peer review process that allows practices to demonstrate that they meet or exceed nationally recognized standards in the performance and interpretation of diagnostic ultrasound examinations. Our sonographer has over 30 years of experience in obstetric and gynecologic ultrasound.

How is ultrasound used during pregnancy? Ultrasound is used to view the fetus inside the uterus. It allows your obstetrician-gynecologist (ob-gyn) or other health care professional to check the fetus’s health and development, monitor your pregnancy, and detect many congenital anomalies. There are three types of prenatal ultrasound exams: standard, limited, and specialized.

What is a standard ultrasound exam? A standard ultrasound exam checks the fetus’s physical development, screens for major congenital anomalies, and estimates gestational age. A standard ultrasound exam also can provide information about the following:

• The fetus’s position, movement, breathing, and heart rate
• An estimate of the fetus’s size and weight
• The amount of amniotic fluid in the uterus
• The location of the placenta
• The number of fetuses
• If the fetus is in a good position, it may be possible to tell the sex.

How is ultrasound used for health issues not related to pregnancy? Ultrasound is used to create images of the pelvic organs to find or diagnose problems. Some of the ways in which ultrasound may be used include the following:

• Evaluate a mass in the pelvis (such as an ovarian cyst or a uterine fibroid)
• Look for possible causes of pelvic pain
• Look for causes of abnormal uterine bleeding or other menstrual problems
• Locate an  intrauterine device (IUD)
• Diagnose reasons for infertility
• Monitor infertility treatments