Ultrasounds

Dr Maseko is equipped to perform basic 2D ultrasounds during your routine prenatal appointments. These assessments use high-frequency sound waves to create an image of your baby and reproductive organs.

During the scan, the gel is placed on your abdomen, and a transducer probe is placed against your skin. You can see images of your growing baby on a monitor.

Why do I need an ultrasound?

An ultrasound, also called a sonogram, is a simple, pain-free way to check how your pregnancy is progressing and if your baby is meeting all its development milestones.

An ultrasound can also provide the following information:

• confirm your pregnancy (and check for multiple babies)
• confirm your baby's age
• estimate your due date
• assess the amniotic fluid in the womb
• check the foetal positioning
• check the baby's development
• assess your cervix and placenta health

Do ultrasounds harm the baby?

There is no elevated risk of miscarriage or injury to your unborn child. This is because the sound waves are at a very low volume, so they will not harm you or your baby.

How do I prepare for an ultrasound?

You might need to drink three glasses of water an hour before the appointment and wait to urinate until after the scan. This is so that the images can be seen more efficiently when the bladder is full.

What if the ultrasound picks up an abnormality in my pregnancy?

While ultrasound scans can assure you that your baby is developing normally, you may also learn that your baby has an abnormality.

Should Dr Maseko discover a complication or have concerns, she may run further diagnostic tests or provide a referral for further testing to confirm any abnormalities. Once you have your results, she will guide you through your next steps and what the results mean for you and your pregnancy.