Ultrasound Specialist

What is ultrasound imaging?

Ultrasound imaging at South Shore Women's Care is for diagnostic purposes or pregnancy monitoring. Ultrasounds produce real-time internal images using sound waves. A device called a transducer emits sound waves at a frequency that’s too high for you to hear. 

The sound waves pass through your skin and reflect off the contents inside your body, like organs and blood. A computer converts the returned sound waves into an image that you can see on a screen.

Ultrasound imaging is especially popular for use during pregnancy because, unlike other imaging tests, it doesn’t emit ionizing radiation. Ionizing radiation could be harmful to your growing baby. 

Ultrasound imaging is low risk, and there isn’t much you need to do to prepare. You may have to drink plenty of water beforehand and wait to urinate until after the test, depending on the type of ultrasound you need. 

Which type of ultrasound imaging do I need?

For obstetric and gynecology purposes, ultrasounds happen in one of two ways:

Transabdominal ultrasound

During a transabdominal ultrasound, Dr. Fomitcheva places the transducer on your abdomen with a conductive gel to help transmit the sound waves. 

Transvaginal ultrasound

During a transvaginal ultrasound, a different kind of transducer enters your vagina with conducting gel and a latex or plastic protective sleeve. 

At South Shore Women's Care, Dr. Fomitcheva also offers 4D pregnancy ultrasound imaging tests. 4D ultrasound tests are not the standard ultrasound type for pregnancy monitoring, but they create a live, three-dimensional video feed with lots of detail. 

4D ultrasounds can help Dr. Fomitcheva detect certain congenital disabilities while your baby is still in the womb, like a cleft palate. She only uses 4D for pregnancy monitoring, not for the diagnosis of uterine disorders. 

When do I need an ultrasound?

One of the most widely recognized reasons for getting an OB/GYN ultrasound is for pregnancy monitoring, but it’s not the only reason Dr. Fomitcheva uses ultrasound imaging at South Shore Women's Care. She might recommend the test to diagnose or evaluate:

• Abnormal bleeding
• Endometriosis
• Fibroids
• Cysts
• Pelvic inflammatory disease
• Ectopic pregnancy
• Certain fetal conditions

Dr. Fomitcheva can also use ultrasound imaging to assist with certain procedures or to locate your intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD). If you need ultrasound imaging for any reason, Dr. Fomitcheva interprets what she sees on the screen and what it means for your health.

Ultrasound imaging tests can shed light on your pelvic health and help track fetal development. To schedule a test, call South Shore Women's Care or book an appointment online today.