Advanced Fetal Ultrasound & Imaging Specialist

Getting an ultrasound during your pregnancy is a happy experience for expectant mothers. But it’s also an important diagnostic tool that your doctor uses to assess you and your baby’s health. Pushpinder Dhillon, MD, MS, FACOG, and the team specialize in high-risk pregnancy and fetal abnormalities and offers advanced fetal ultrasound and imaging at Maternal Fetal Specialists in Fredericksburg, Reston and Springfield, Virginia. To schedule your imaging, call either office to book an appointment.

What is an ultrasound?

An ultrasound is a diagnostic test most women get during their pregnancies. The test uses sound wave technology to generate images that get projected onto a computer screen that the team views to assess you and your baby’s health. 

What can I expect during an ultrasound?

During your ultrasound, your provider begins by placing a special gel on your abdomen to improve imaging. A transducer is placed on your abdomen to send high-frequency sound waves into your body to generate an image that is then projected onto a computer screen that allows you to see details of your baby.

The prenatal ultrasound is noninvasive, and you don’t need to prepare anything before your test. After you’re done, you can go right back to your usual activities as advised by the team.

What does a doctor look for during an ultrasound?

You may be most excited about your ultrasound because it allows you to see your baby. But your provider uses the ultrasound as a tool to check your baby’s health, organs, and growth. It also allows your provider to look at your baby’s environment and measure amniotic fluid levels.

If defects or abnormalities are found, either with your baby or the amniotic fluid, additional testing may be recommended, such as an amniocentesis or a fetal non-stress test (NST), to further assess health and risk.

How often do I need an ultrasound?

For a high-risk pregnancy, the team at Maternal Fetal Specialists recommends you come in for your first ultrasound at around 11 weeks. Depending on the nature of your pregnancy. Each patient receives individualized care and can expect additional ultrasounds based on the recommendations of the board-certified maternal fetal specialists.

During each ultrasound, the team is checking for:

• Your baby’s health and growth
• Birth defects or abnormalities
• Location of your placenta
• Uterine or pelvic abnormalities that may affect delivery
• Amniotic fluid around the baby

An ultrasound is a safe, noninvasive tool that the team uses to monitor both you and your baby throughout your pregnancy. To schedule your ultrasound, call either office of Maternal Fetal Specialists today.