What is it used for?An ultrasound can be used in different ways, depending on the type of ultrasound and which part of the body is being checked.A pregnancy ultrasound is done to get information about the health of an unborn baby. It may be used to:Confirm that you are pregnant.Check the size and position of the unborn baby.Check to see you are pregnant with more than one baby.Estimate how long you have been pregnant. This is known as gestational age.Check for signs of Down syndrome, which include thickening in the back of the baby's neck.Check for birth defects in the brain, spinal cord, heart, or other parts of the body.Check the amount of amniotic fluid. Amniotic fluid is a clear liquid that surrounds an unborn baby during pregnancy. It protects the baby from outside injury and cold. It also helps promote lung development and bone growth.Diagnostic ultrasound may be used to:Find out if blood is flowing at a normal rate and level.See if there is a problem with the structure of your heart.Look for blockages in the gallbladder.Check the thyroid gland for cancer or non-cancerous growths.Check for abnormalities in the abdomen and kidneys.Help guide a biopsy procedure. A biopsy is a procedure that removes a small sample of tissue for testing.In women, diagnostic ultrasound may be used to:Look at a breast lump to see if it might be cancer. (The test may also be used to check for breast cancer in men, though this type of cancer is far more common in women.)Help find the cause of pelvic pain.Help find the cause of abnormal menstrual bleeding.Help diagnose infertility or monitor infertility treatments.In men, diagnostic ultrasound may be used to help diagnose disorders of the prostate gland.
