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Pregnancy ultrasound - Results

Alternative Names

Pregnancy sonogram; Obstetric ultrasonography; Obstetric sonogram; Ultrasound - pregnancy

Normal Values:

The developing baby, placenta, amniotic fluid, and surrounding structures are normal in appearance and appropriate for the gestational age.

Note: Normal results may vary slightly. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.

What abnormal results mean:

Abnormal ultrasound results may be due to some of the following conditions:

Birth defects
Ectopic pregnancy
Intrauterine growth restriction
Multiple pregnancies
Miscarriage
Problems with the baby's position in the womb
Problems with the placenta, including placenta previa and placental abruption
Too little amniotic fluid
Too much amniotic fluid ( polyhydramnios)
Tumors of pregnancy, including gestational trophoblastic disease
Other problems with the ovaries, uterus, and remaining pelvic structures

Reviewed last on: 2/21/2010
Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine; Susan Storck, MD, FACOG, Chief, Eastside Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Redmond, Washington; Clinical Teaching Faculty, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Richards DS. Ultrasound for pregnancy dating, growth, and the diagnosis of fetal malformations. In: Gabbe SG, Niebyl JR, Simpson JL, eds. Obstetrics: Normal and Problem Pregnancies. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Elsevier Churchill Livingstone; 2007:chap 9.

Taval VS, Glass CM. Emergency ultrasound. In: Marx JA, ed. Rosen’s Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2009:chap 197.

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