Sonograms are frequently used in
obstetrics and gynecology practices to visualize an embryo or fetus in utero, or to visualize a woman’s reproductive organs. Obstetric sonograms have traditionally been done by placing a transducer on the abdomen of the pregnant woman. More recently, however, advanced highly sensitive ultrasound probes have been developed that are placed in the woman’s vagina, resulting in transvaginal scans that provide pictures that are clearer, particularly in the early months of pregnancy and in obese women. In addition, a full bladder is not needed to obtain high-quality images, as for abdominal probes, resulting in greater comfort for the patient.
