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At ���ϸ����� Langone, our dedicated obstetricians use ultrasound imaging as an essential part of prenatal care.

By using sound waves to create images of the body, they can monitor the health of your baby and guide procedures that help to diagnose conditions that may arise in the baby while still in the womb. Our extensive range of ultrasound services ensures that every patient receives the highest standard of care.

3D and 4D Ultrasound

At ���ϸ����� Langone, we offer 3D and 4D prenatal ultrasounds. Our expert technicians, known as sonographers, use high-resolution technology to scan the fetus from different angles, creating detailed 3D images. These images help track the progress of your pregnancy and detect any potential concerns early.

For 4D ultrasounds, sonographers capture images in real time, capturing baby’s movements. These images allow our providers to see the baby’s breathing and movement of the heart valves.

Ultrasound scans can last anywhere from 20 to 45 minutes. Some providers may ask you to drink water before the test so that you have a full bladder.

Early Ultrasound at 6 to 8 Weeks Pregnant

At the beginning of the first trimester, providers at ���ϸ����� Langone may perform a transvaginal ultrasound, which is done to confirm a positive pregnancy test or to determine the location of a pregnancy. During a transvaginal ultrasound, the technician places a wand-shaped scanning device, or transducer, in the vagina to capture images of the fetus while you are lying on an exam table. Even in early pregnancy, an ultrasound can assess the gestational age and viability of the fetus, detect a fetal heartbeat, and identify multiple pregnancies.

Early fetal ultrasound can also detect an ectopic pregnancy, where a fertilized egg implants outside the uterus; a molar pregnancy, where abnormal tissue grows instead of a normal embryo; or signs of a potential miscarriage. If needed, your doctor can discuss and refer you to our family planning services to receive further care.

Ultrasound at 8 to 10 Weeks Pregnant

Our doctors perform an ultrasound on patients at 8 to 10 weeks of pregnancy to check the baby’s health and development. The due date is sometimes adjusted based on the results of this test. The baby’s skull, arms, and legs are evaluated.

Ultrasounds at this stage of pregnancy may be transvaginal or through the abdomen. During an abdominal ultrasound, also known as a transabdominal ultrasound, warm gel is rubbed onto the belly. A scanning device is then placed on your abdomen, and sound waves transmit images of the baby and the amniotic sac to a high-definition monitor.

Nuchal Translucency Ultrasound at 10 to 14 Weeks Pregnant

A nuchal translucency abdominal ultrasound measures the thickness of the baby’s neck. This pregnancy scan, done at 10 to 14 weeks of pregnancy, can point to genetic conditions such as Down syndrome. Further testing such as chorionic villus sampling (CVS) or amniocentesis can be performed by experts in our Fetal Diagnosis and Treatment Program to confirm or rule out this diagnosis.

Ultrasound Anatomy Scan at 16 to 22 Weeks Pregnant

Performed at 16 to 22 weeks of pregnancy, an abdominal ultrasound scan can provide detailed views of the baby’s internal organs, including the brain and the heart. If you are aged 35 or older, you may receive two of these scans.

Routine Growth Scans Starting at 28 Weeks Pregnant

In the third trimester, routine growth scans every using ultrasound can help your doctor assess the baby’s size.

Ultrasound-Guided Diagnostic Testing

At ���ϸ����� Langone, the following tests are done using real-time ultrasound guidance to ensure procedure accuracy and safety. Our doctors may use these tests to gather more information about the health of your baby if they suspect an abnormality.

Chorionic Villus Sampling

Your doctor may perform chorionic villus sampling, or CVS, which is a test for genetic abnormalities, such as Tay-Sachs disease, or chromosomal problems that can cause conditions such as Down syndrome.

For this test, the doctor inserts a thin, flexible tube called a catheter through the vagina into the cervix and placenta. The doctor then collects a sample of chorionic villi, tiny growths that carry genetic material. Sometimes, a long, thin needle is inserted through the abdomen instead. A CVS test slightly increases the risk of miscarriage. Often, this test can be performed instead of amniocentesis, which is not performed until the second trimester.

Amniocentesis

An amniocentesis can test for genetic abnormalities such as Down syndrome and cystic fibrosis. It can also determine if a baby has certain birth defects, including neural tube defects, which affect the baby’s brain and spinal cord. Your doctor collects a sample of amniotic fluid, which surrounds and protects the fetus in the womb, for analysis. A thin needle is inserted through the abdomen and into the uterus to the fluid-filled amniotic sac. A small amount of amniotic fluid, which contains cells, is extracted and analyzed in a laboratory for irregularities. This procedure is performed after 16 weeks of pregnancy. Rare complications include amniotic fluid leakage, which can cause an infection in the uterus, and miscarriage.

Fetoscopy

Fetoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure used to examine and treat the baby while in the uterus. Fetoscopy involves the insertion of a small instrument called a fetoscope, a thin, flexible tube equipped with a camera and light at the tip, into the uterus. This procedure can be used to perform diagnostic tests or to treat certain fetal conditions like twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome, a rare condition in which blood flows unevenly from the placenta to two developing fetuses.

Fetal Tissue Biopsy

Your doctor may recommend a fetal tissue biopsy to obtain a small sample of tissue from the fetus. This procedure may be needed to diagnose genetic or chromosomal conditions, infections, or other abnormalities. The procedure involves inserting a thin needle through the abdomen to collect the tissue sample, or it may be done instead during a fetoscopy. The sample is analyzed in a laboratory to provide important information about the fetus’s health, helping guide further medical decisions. Although the procedure carries some risks, such as infection or miscarriage, it can offer valuable insights.

Fetal Blood Sampling

Fetal blood sampling, also known as fetal blood transfusion or cordocentesis, is a procedure that collects a sample of the blood from the umbilical cord. Our doctors may recommend the procedure in the second or third trimester of pregnancy to detect fetal anemia, infection, or genetic disorders. For the procedure, a thin needle is inserted through the abdomen to access the umbilical cord and collect the blood sample for analysis. While fetal blood sampling is a valuable diagnostic tool, it carries some risks, including bleeding or infection, which are carefully managed by our doctors.

Our Locations

Routine pregnancy ultrasounds are available through our ���ϸ����� Langone’s various obstetrics and gynecology locations. Our specialized ultrasound diagnostic services are available at the Ultrasound Unit—OB/GYN in Manhattan.