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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffA fetal ultrasound, or sonogram, is an imaging technique that uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images of a baby in the uterus. Fetal ultrasound images can help your health care provider evaluate your baby's growth and development and determine how your pregnancy is progressing. A fetal ultrasound may also give you the chance to study your baby's profile and watch his or her tiny heart beat months before delivery. In some cases, fetal ultrasound is used to evaluate possible problems or confirm a diagnosis.
Fetal ultrasound is often done during the first trimester to confirm and date the pregnancy and the second trimester — between 18 and 20 weeks — when anatomic details are visible. If your baby's health needs to be monitored more closely, ultrasounds may be repeated throughout the pregnancy.
- Routine tests in pregnancy. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp133.cfm. July 24, 2009.
- Shipp TD. Ultrasound examination in obstetrics and gynecology. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 24, 2009.
- Shipp TD. Physics and safety of diagnostic ultrasound in obstetrics and gynecology. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 24, 2009.
- Routine prenatal ultrasonography as a screening tool. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 24, 2009.
- Ultrasound. March of Dimes. http://www.marchofdimes.com/professionals/14332_1167.asp. Accessed July 24, 2009.
- Keepsake fetal imaging. American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine. http://www.aium.org/publications/viewStatement.aspx?id=31. Accessed July 23, 2009.
- Avoid fetal "keepsake" images, heartbeat monitors. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm095508.htm. Accessed July 23, 2009.
- Ectopic pregnancy. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp155.cfm. Accessed July 27, 2009.
- Special tests for monitoring fetal health. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp098.cfm. Accessed July 28, 2009.
- Fetal echocardiography. The American Heart Association. http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4686. Accessed July 28, 2009.
- Ultrasonography in pregnancy. Washington, D.C.: The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.guideline.gov/summary/pdf.aspx?doc_id=14180&stat=1&string=ultrasonography+AND+pregnancy. Accessed July 28, 2009.
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