This is the most traditional form of prenatal ultrasound. Two-dimensional black and white images are obtained.

With a 3-D ultrasound, multiple two-dimensional images are taken at various angles and then pieced together to form a three-dimensional image. This technique may be performed on any baby suspected of having a birth defect.

This ultrasound examination is provided in partnership with Nationwide Children’s Hospital. It is performed here at Ohio State and read by a pediatric cardiologist (baby heart doctor). A fetal echocardiogram may be ordered for different reasons which can include a previous child born with a congenital heart disease, a family history of congenital heart disease, an irregular heart rhythm, pregestational diabetes mellitus, an abnormal appearing heart on your second trimester ultrasound examination and a chromosomal or genetic abnormality in your baby. Fetal echocardiograms are routinely performed from 21 – 24 weeks of gestation.

If a heart defect is found, the pediatric cardiologist will determine its significance and whether the defect will affect your baby prior to birth, will require immediate transfer after birth to Nationwide Children’s Hospital or will require heart surgery after birth.

If first trimester screening results suggest a problem, we have the scanning skills and pediatric cardiologist expertise to perform a fetal echocardiogram from 15 – 18 weeks of gestation. If scanning is done before 18 weeks, you will likely be asked to return for more definitive images to confirm the findings on the early study after 20 weeks.

These examinations are ideally performed between 6 and 12 weeks of gestation to confirm or change your due date. If you are identified as having a high-risk pregnancy, you and your baby may require extra testing.

This ultrasound screening examination can be performed between 11 and 13-6/7 weeks of gestation. This screening test measures the collection of fluid under the baby’s skin at the back of the neck. An abnormal finding during this test can help to detect chromosomal abnormalities, heart defects and a number of other genetic syndromes. All OSU sonographers are certified to perform this test and our team will review your results with you.

For low-risk patients. This screening examination is performed at 17 – 18 weeks of gestation and provides a basic assessment of your baby’s anatomy, evaluates the amount of amniotic fluid and the placenta and can identify major birth defects.

This is a way to screen and detect pregnant women for the risks of delivering prematurely. This ultrasound measures the length of your cervix. It is usually performed during your anatomy/detailed ultrasound, but may be done even sooner if you have had a premature baby in the past.

Women who are identified as having a short cervix during their pregnancy or have had a premature delivery in the past are at a higher risk for delivering a premature baby. The Ohio State Maternal Fetal Medicine department offers cervical length ultrasound to all pregnant women as part of their prematurity risk assessment and to identify if further high-risk treatment is needed. If you are found to have a short cervical length, you may be a candidate for starting a medication that has been shown to decrease premature delivery.

For high-risk patients. This screening examination is performed at 17 – 18 weeks of gestation for women with high-risk pregnancy conditions. All components of the basic ultrasound examination are obtained in addition to looking at more of the baby’s anatomy.

These are routinely performed in some high-risk pregnancies. During a growth ultrasound, the sonographer will take measurements of you baby’s size and weight. This ultrasound is used to follow your baby’s growth over certain periods of time.

For high-risk patients. Women with twins or more babies will always have a detailed ultrasound examination. Additionally, these babies will have many growth ultrasound examinations throughout the pregnancy to look at the babies estimated weight to see how they are growing.

Doppler ultrasound techniques can be used to evaluate blood flow within the mother’s pelvic vessels and the baby’s blood vessels including the umbilical cord.