An ultrasound will allow doctors to look inside your body to determine exactly how far along you are, fetal health, and the location of the pregnancy.
What’s an ultrasound?
An ultrasound is a medical procedure that uses high-frequency sound waves to capture live images from the inside of your body. It’s also known as sonography. Unlike other imaging techniques, ultrasound uses no radiation. For this reason, it’s the preferred method for viewing a developing fetus during pregnancy.
How does an ultrasound work?
An ultrasound technician will apply a special lubricating jelly to your skin. This prevents friction so they can rub the ultrasound transducer on your skin. The transducer has a similar appearance to a microphone. The jelly also helps transmit the sound waves.
The transducer sends high-frequency sound waves through your body. The waves echo as they hit a dense object, such as an organ or bone. Those echoes are then reflected back into a computer. This allows the medical professional to read the image on a computer or TV screen. And the ultrasound technician can print images of your baby if you request!
You may need to change positions so the technician can get better images. Sometimes the transducer can get a better picture when used vaginally. After the procedure, the gel will be cleaned off of your skin. You will be free to go about your normal activities after the procedure has finished.
At PAC, a certified and trained medical technician performs limited OB ultrasounds for 3 purposes. To determine:
That the baby is in the uterus
That the baby has a heartbeat
To take the measurements of the baby
We DO NOT assess for gender or other prenatal purposes.
How much does an ultrasound cost?
Ultrasounds are FREE at our clinic for those that qualify. To see if you qualify for a free ultrasound, schedule an appointment for a free pregnancy test with one of our medical professionals. They will determine if you qualify for an ultrasound at your appointment.
Do I need an appointment?
Yes! During the covid pandemic, all of our services require an appointment. Schedule an appointment for a free pregnancy test to see if you qualify for an ultrasound.
