Ob/Gyn Ultrasound

“Our physicians understand the combination of excitement and anxiety that comes with pregnancy. We are committed to providing compassionate, evidence-based care grounded in clinical expertise and advanced imaging to empower patients and their care teams to make informed decisions throughout pregnancy.”

- Dr. Emilie Vander Haar, Director of Obstetric Imaging

The faculty of the Weill Cornell Medicine OB/GYN Imaging and Diagnostic Center, in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology have been leaders in fetal evaluation and prenatal diagnosis since the unit's inception in 1989. 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 the 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.

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: