Roy Pitkin, M.D., is a professor of obstetrics and
gynecology and is the former chair of the ob/gyn
department at the University of California, Los
Angeles School of Medicine. He is a frequent advisor
to national health agencies on women's health issues and has
received numerous international honors for this work.
Q:Is ultrasound recommended in pregnancy? At what stages of pregnancy? What can I expect to learn from it?
A: Ultrasound is done very commonly during pregnancy; in fact, it is nearly universal in the United States and other developed countries. The stage at which it is done depends on the question being asked. It can indicate the number of fetuses, fetal size, how the fetus is presenting, amount of amniotic fluid, and location of the placenta.
In addition, ultrasound can identify some congenital malformations. At or after the mid-point of pregnancy, half or more of serious malformations can be recognized by expert ultrasonographers.
Important disclaimer: The information on keepkidshealthy.com is for educational purposes only and should not be considered to bemedical advice. It is not meant to replace the advice of the physician who cares for your child. All medical advice and information should be considered to be incomplete without a physical exam, which is not possible without a visit to your doctor.
Roy Pitkin, M.D., is a professor of obstetrics and
gynecology and is the former chair of the ob/gyn
department at the University of California, Los
Angeles School of Medicine. He is a frequent advisor
to national health agencies on women's health issues and has
received numerous international honors for this work.
