Ultrasounds Specialist
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Optimum Women's Care, PLLC
Nancy Aguilar Magsino, MD
Board Certified Obstetrics & Gynecology & Minimally Invasive & Robotic Surgery located in Katy, TX
Ultrasounds are a valuable screening tool during pregnancy, especially if you have suspected issues with your pelvic organs. At Optimum Women's Care, PLLC, board-certified OB/GYN Nancy Magsino, MD, offers in-house ultrasound services to her patients in Katy, Texas and the surrounding Houston area. You can take advantage of diagnostic and evaluative gynecological and obstetric ultrasounds as well as advanced 3D/4D ultrasounds to see your unborn baby. Call today to learn more about the ultrasound services offered or make an appointment online.
Ultrasounds Q & A
What is an ultrasound?
An ultrasound is an advanced screening modality that uses sound waves to see inside your body. The test is noninvasive and painless. Unlike X-rays, ultrasound doesn’t use radiation, making it safe for your internal organs and a growing baby.
How does an ultrasound work?
During an ultrasound, Dr. Magsino or a specially trained technician runs a transducer (or specialized wand) over the pelvic area of your body. In some cases, the wand is inserted vaginally to provide the doctor with a better image of your organs, particularly your uterus.
You feel nothing during the test except a little pressure from the wand. The transducer emits sound waves that penetrate through your body. When they hit an object, such as a fetus or pelvic organ, they bounce back to give information to a computer. The computer then gathers them to create an image.
Why would I need a gynecologic ultrasound?
When you’re pregnant, ultrasounds are part of your routine care as they reveal potential health concerns and normal development. Plus, they can let you know the gender of your unborn child.
Women who have symptoms, such as irregular vaginal bleeding or pelvic pain, may need an ultrasound to help Dr. Magsino diagnose their problem. Your symptoms determine which organs are the focus of an ultrasound examination, including your cervix, uterus, fallopian tubes, ovaries, or bladder.
If the doctor feels a mass or other irregularity during a pelvic exam, she may order an ultrasound. You may also need an ultrasound if you have unspecified pelvic pain. Dr. Magsino may also suggest an ultrasound to get more information about:
- Irregular periods
- Heavy menstrual bleeding
- Intense menstrual cramps
- Suspected ovarian or uterine cancers
An ultrasound can detect an ovarian cyst or fibroids, but it cannot accurately diagnose endometriosis.
How often are ultrasounds performed during pregnancy?
In a standard pregnancy, you usually receive an ultrasound at your first prenatal appointment (around eight weeks gestation) to confirm pregnancy. You’ll also receive one at 20 weeks to scan your baby’s gender and development, examine the uterus, and look at the position of the placenta.
At Optimum Women's Care, PLLC, you may also choose a 3D or 4D ultrasound. These ultrasounds aren’t diagnostic, but they do have realistic imaging that allows you to see your baby’s face for the first time. Dr. Magsino can also detect some birth defects, such as cleft palate, that won’t show up on a traditional ultrasound.
Experience the convenience of in-office ultrasounds at Optimum Women's Care, PLLC. Call today to learn more or use the online tool to schedule a consult.