Ultrasound
Reviewed
Also called: sonogram, ultrasonography, pregnancy sonography, fetal ultrasound, obstetric ultrasound, diagnostic medical sonography
An ultrasound is an imaging test that uses sound waves to make pictures (also known as a sonogram) of organs, tissues, and other structures inside your body.
Specimen: none
Why this test may be ordered
- To monitor the health and development of an unborn baby during pregnancy.
- To diagnose the cause of a wide variety of medical conditions involving soft tissues.
- To guide certain biopsy procedures.
Preparation and collection
Preparations for an ultrasound exam depend on what part of your body is being checked. Some ultrasound exams require no preparation at all. Your provider will tell you if you need to prepare for your ultrasound and what to do.
An ultrasound is often done by a sonographer, a health care professional who has special training to do ultrasound exams. The sonographer will spread a special gel on your skin over the area that will be examined.
Ultrasound has not been linked to any health harms. It's generally considered safe when trained sonographers use it correctly.
Understanding results
If you had diagnostic ultrasound, the meaning of your results will depend on which part of the body was being looked at.
- Normal pregnancy ultrasound: No birth defects were found, though not all birth defects will show up on an ultrasound. Limitation: If your pregnancy ultrasound results were normal, it doesn't guarantee you'll have a healthy baby. Next step: If you have questions about your results, talk to your provider.
- Pregnancy ultrasound not normal: If your pregnancy ultrasound results were not normal, it may mean: The fetus is not growing at a normal rate. Limitation: If your pregnancy ultrasound results were not normal, it doesn't always mean your fetus has a serious health problem. Next step: Your provider may suggest more tests to help confirm a diagnosis.
- Ultrasound has not been linked to any health harms when used correctly by trained sonographers, but it can affect fluids and tissues in certain cases, so it is recommended only when needed to provide important medical information.
- An ultrasound cannot guarantee a healthy baby or rule out all conditions.
What to do next
If you have questions about your results, talk to your provider.
- What is the reason for my ultrasound?
- What do my results mean for my health?
- Do I need any additional tests or follow-up?
Evidence source
Source: U.S. National Library of Medicine (MedlinePlus). Practices and reference ranges may differ in your country.