Clients in the early stages of pregnancy may be eligible for a free limited obstetrical (OB) ultrasound at Piedmont Women’s Center.
A diagnostic medical ultrasound is a procedure that uses sound waves to produce an image of organs and tissue within the body.
The sound waves are transmitted via a transducer placed on the skin; and, the wave’s return to the transducer produces a grayscale image on a screen, known as a sonogram. The first ultrasound used in OB medicine was in the mid 1950’s, in Glasgow, Scotland, by Obstetrician Ian Donald (Smithsonian mag, Innovation, A Brief History of the Sonogram).
The technology has been developed and refined ever since. Ultrasonography is considered among medical experts to be a low-risk procedure.
At Piedmont Women’s Center, every ultrasound is performed by a licensed medical professional with training in limited OB ultrasound, and the results read by a medical doctor.
Our nurse sonographer, or registered diagnostic medical sonographer, will use this procedure to establish whether a pregnancy is viable, by identifying an embryonic (fertilization – 8 weeks) or fetal (9 weeks – birth) heartbeat, determine if the pregnancy is intrauterine (in the uterus), and use measurements to determine the gestational age of the baby.
The ultrasound available at Piedmont Women’s Center can:
- Verify an intrauterine pregnancy
- Estimate a due date
- Detect a heartbeat
- Ensure the pregnancy is in the uterus and not in the fallopian tubes
- Provide additional education and recommendations if there is potential for a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy
Why should I get an ultrasound?
An ultrasound may assist you with making a pregnancy-related decision. There are developmental milestones during a pregnancy that may be seen during the procedure. A limited OB ultrasound performed at Piedmont Women’s Center can verify your pregnancy’s viability, location, and age. If you are considering abortion, an ultrasound can help you avoid a dangerous (ectopic), unwarranted (miscarriage), or illegal (gestational age) procedure. The ultrasound will be performed by a qualified nurse sonographer or registered diagnostic medical sonographer.
No matter what options you are considering, a limited OB ultrasound is a valuable tool in your decision-making process.
Abortion is a medical or surgical procedure that terminates pregnancy. Piedmont Women’s Center does not perform or refer for abortion.
