What to Expect During Your Prenatal Ultrasound at Cooper Maternal-Fetal Medicine
If you’ve been scheduled for a prenatal ultrasound at Cooper Maternal-Fetal Medicine, you likely have questions about the procedure and what the visit involves. Below, we’ve answered some of the most common questions patients have been their appointment.
Why have I been scheduled for an ultrasound?
You’ve been scheduled for an ultrasound to check the health and development of your baby. This may be part of routine screening, or your provider may have referred you because your pregnancy requires extra monitoring. Ultrasounds help us:
- Estimate your baby’s age and size
- Check for multiple pregnancies (twins, triplets, etc.)
- Screen for genetic conditions like Down syndrome
- Detect any structural differences or birth defects
- Monitor high-risk pregnancies
Sometimes, depending on your stage or pregnancy or other medical factors, we may use a vaginal ultrasound to evaluate the cervix or the position of the placenta.
Is ultrasound safe for me and my baby?
Yes, ultrasound has been safely used in pregnancy for decades. It uses sound waves – not radiation – to create images. At Cooper, we follow the latest guidelines and only recommend perform ultrasounds that are medically necessary for your care.
Will I need more than one visit?
In most cases, one visit is all that’s needed. However, some pregnancies require follow-up ultrasounds either because of a maternal health condition, something seen on a prior scan, or just to track your baby’s growth more closely.
When and how will I receive my results?
You’ll know about the results of your ultrasound at the end of your visit. Either your sonographer (the person performing the ultrasound), or one of our board-certified maternal-fetal medicine physicians will review the findings with you.
It’s also common for a doctor to step into the room during the scan This is part of our care process and does not necessarily mean something is wrong. We encourage you to ask any questions you may have about your ultrasound examination or your pregnancy care.
Will my OB-GYN get the results, too?
Yes. After your ultrasound, we will send a detailed report to your OB-GYN. If your provider is part of the Cooper network, the report will be added to your shared electronic medical record, If your provider is outside of Cooper, we’ll fax the report to their office.
Should any concerns arise from your ultrasound, our physicians will personally contact your OB-GYN to coordinate the next steps in your care.
Can I bring a support person or family member to my appointment?
Yes, you’re welcome to bring a support person to your ultrasound exam. However, space in the exam room is limited and sometimes we need to ask private medical questions or share sensitive information. Please keep this in mind when deciding who will accompany you.
Will I see students or residents during my visit?
As a teaching hospital, Cooper trains the next generation of physicians and sonographers. You may interact with OB-GYN residents (physicians training in OB/GYN), medical students, sonographer students during your visit.
Rest assured that all medical decisions about your care will be made by licensed medical professionals. If you prefer not to have a student or resident participate in your care, please let us know.
Share your feedback
Our goal is to provide exception care, answer all of your questions, and make you feel confident and supported every step of the way.
Ater your visit, you may receive a survey from Cooper about your experience. We encourage you to take a few minutes to complete the survey so we can learn more about how we’re doing. Even if you don’t receive a survey, you’re welcome to share your experience by emailing us at coopermfm@cooperhealth.edu.