What is the purpose of obstetric ultrasound?
Ultrasound is a diagnostic test used to help your physician manage your care. It provides information regarding the dating of your pregnancy, viability and number of gestations. No test can detect all birth defects, but a thorough ultrasound in the 2nd trimester can identify several different kinds of birth defects, including birth defects of the heart, digestive system, skeletal system, brain and spinal cord. Ultrasound can tell if the fetus is growing normally, if the placenta is in the correct location and if there is the right amount of amniotic fluid.
