Ultrasounds offer valuable information about the health of your pelvic organs or a growing baby. This non-invasive diagnostic tool is available in-office by the expert OB/GYN team at KEM Health Obstetrics & Gynecology in Atlanta, Georgia. Call the office or schedule an appointment online today to learn how you might take advantage of conventional and 3D ultrasound technology.

request an appointment

What are ultrasounds?

Ultrasounds are non-invasive screening tools that help see tissue inside your body.

Gynecological ultrasounds provide images of your pelvic organs, including the uterus, cervix, vagina, fallopian tubes, and ovaries. Obstetrics ultrasounds show a picture of a baby in the womb to evaluate development, position, size, and gender.

What happens during ultrasounds?

An ultrasound uses sound waves to create an image of tissues within your body.

During the test, you lie on an exam table as the technician glides a wand, or transducer, along your abdomen and lower pelvis. This wand sends the sound waves into your body. These waves then bounce off your organs or baby to transmit images to a computer.

When the doctors need a better view of your uterus, they may conduct the procedure intravaginally. The sterile probe is inserted into the vagina to produce images.

The procedure is not painful, but you may feel slight pressure during the screening. You don’t have to worry about harming your body or your unborn baby, as the test uses no radiation.

Why would I need a gynecological ultrasound?

An ultrasound offers important diagnostic information, including the:

  • Size, position, and shape of your uterus and ovaries
  • Presence of any fluids or masses in the reproductive organs
  • Length and thickness of your cervix
  • Blood flow through your pelvic organs and any blockages
  • The shape of your bladder

This information can help the doctors at KEM Health Obstetrics & Gynecology  evaluate reasons for abnormal bleeding, infertility, or pelvic pain. An ultrasound can also check the position of an intrauterine device (IUD) or monitor the size of ovarian follicles during infertility treatment.

When are ultrasounds used during pregnancy?

Ultrasounds help the doctors at KEM Health Obstetrics & Gynecology evaluate your baby’s development. The number of ultrasounds you undergo during pregnancy depends on how you progress.

Minimally, expect an in-office ultrasound at your first prenatal appointment to confirm pregnancy and estimate your due date. You’ll receive a standard ultrasound around 20 weeks to assess the baby’s development and the health of your uterus. This 20-week ultrasound may also determine the baby’s gender.

At KEM Health Obstetrics & Gynecology, you also benefit from realistic 3D ultrasounds.

These advanced screenings provide realistic imaging so you can see your baby’s face for the first time. These ultrasounds aren’t considered diagnostic but can help the doctors see specific birth defects, like cleft palate, that don’t show up well on traditional ultrasounds.

To learn more about the advanced ultrasound services at KEM Health Obstetrics & Gynecology , call the office or schedule an appointment online today.