Ob/Gyn Ultrasound

“Our physicians understand the combination of excitement and anxiety that comes with pregnancy. We make it a priority to provide with clarity and sensitivity the information that every pregnant woman needs in a way that they can understand, while being careful to avoid alarming them unnecessarily.”

- Dr. Stephen Todd Chasen, Director of Obstetric Imaging

Perhaps no other technology in recent times has been as effective in successfully monitoring pregnancies as Ultrasonography. The faculty of the Ultrasound Services Unit in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Weill Cornell Medicine has been leaders in fetal evaluation and prenatal diagnosis since the unit's inception in 1989; using the most advanced ultrasound machines—some with 3D capabilities.

All members of the unit have been at the forefront in advocating that all pregnant women have access to quality ultrasound during pregnancy. The unit's sonographers and Maternal-Fetal Medicine physicians are highly skilled in evaluating fetal development, and identifying a wide variety of abnormalities. They perform detailed evaluation of fetal anatomy in the second trimester, and can identify or exclude many types of birth defects. First-trimester ultrasound, commonly performed to evaluate the risk of genetic abnormalities, has allowed for the early detection of some major abnormalities before the second trimester. 

If physicians suspect or diagnose fetal or maternal complications, they will work with you and your obstetrician to provide you with access to and coordinate care with some of the world’s finest specialists. Together, we will develop the very best treatment options for you and your baby. Detecting early evidence of complications and establishing an effective course of action helps everyone achieve the goal of healthy mothers delivering healthy babies. Read our FAQ below to prepare for your upcoming visit.

All women having their ultrasound completed at the Ultrasound Services Unit will have the opportunity to consult with one of the Weill Cornell Maternal-Fetal Medicine specialists to discuss any ultrasound findings. If complications are suspected, our physicians will work with patients and their obstetricians in formulating the best plan.

The range of fetal ultrasonography services includes:

Screening

• First and second trimester Down syndrome screening

• Miscarriage and ectopic pregnancy screening

• Multiple pregnancy screening

• Fetal anomaly screening

Assessment and Evaluation

• First trimester evaluation

• Second and third trimester anatomical assessment

• 3-D ultrasound evaluation

Prenatal diagnosis

• Testing and monitoring

• Biophysical profile and Doppler velocimetry/non-stress testing

• Fetal echocardiography

Diagnostic Procedures

• Amniocentesis

• Chorionic villi sampling (CVS)

• Cordocentesis/Fetal blood sampling

Gynecologic Ultrasounds

• We also perform screening, diagnostic, and interventional ultrasound for general gynecology, oncology, and reproductive endocrinology patients. Gynecological ultrasound services include, but not limited to:

o Pelvic evaluation

o Evaluation of ovarian masses

o Screening and detection of ovarian and endometrial cancer

Below are some answers to frequently asked questions related to Ob/Gyn ultrasounds: