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Savannah Guajardo
Mrs. DeBock
English 4
7 November 2014
Benefits of Ultrasounds
Ultrasounds can be used for various occasions. It is most often used for obstetrical and
gynecology practices. How do ultrasounds benefit prenatal patients? Ultrasounds are not just
meant for taking pictures of the baby to be, but to also monitor any type of problem or
complication in the fetus development. It can also estimate the gestational age, fetus weight,
position of the fetus, and put any worry about the pregnancy at ease. Ultrasounds benefit prenatal
patients positively.
In Freidenfelds article, she explains that the use of ultrasounds during pregnancy provide
the parents with psychological benefits. Not only does it create a special bond between the fetus
and the parents, but it also monitors the health. According to Freidenfelds, it has been assumed
to be safe because there has been no evidence of harm after widespread use. The use of
ultrasounds has shaped the way many people understand the development of life.
A Window Into The Womb illustrates the other types of ultrasound technology. Even
though technology has advanced, many ultrasound technicians use the standard 2-D ultrasounds.
Johnson states that more high defined ultrasounds (3-D and 4-D) are used to monitor and detect
major problems. In numerous cases, parents like to use the higher defined ultrasounds to take

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keepsake images. Keepsake imaging is parental need during the course of pregnancy, but it is not
used for any type of diagnoses. If not assisted by a professional ultrasound technician, there can
be many disappointments. The fetuss life and the mothers life could be in danger if not viewed
properly. According to studies, Doppler ultrasounds can increase the uterine temperature during
the first trimester of pregnancy (Johnson). Dolores Pretorius, a professor of radiology at the
University of California, says that if someone is not trained correctly and tries to find the best
picture of long amounts of time, the effects and exposure cannot be determined.
As pregnancy progresses, maternal obesity can increase. When this happens, determining
the position of the fetus can become more challenging without the use of ultrasound. Luckily, the
ultrasound can define if the delivery will be breech or not. It can also determine what variety of
breech it is (Vintzileos). In any case where there is fluid leakage, the use of ultrasound is
absolutely necessary. Vintzileos also states that one of the most important achievements in
obstetrical ultrasound is the estimation of the gestational age and the fetus weight. There are
numerous clinical uses for labor and delivery (Vintzileos).
Ultrasound technology definitely is beneficial to prenatal patients. It allows doctors to
help with any problem that might come up during pregnancy or during labor and delivery.
Without frequent ultrasounds, both the mother and baby could possibly be harmed. Not only will
the parents be relieved that everything will be alright, it will start an amazing lifetime bond and
experience.

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Works Cited
Freidenfelds, Lara. "Sonography." Encyclopedia of Children and Childhood in History and
Society. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 6 Nov. 2014.
Johnson, Kate. "A Window Into The Womb." Baby Talk 69.4 (2004): 23. Health Source Consumer Edition. Web. 14 Oct. 2014.
Vintzileos, Anthony M., Martin R. Chavez, and Wendy L. Kinzler. "Use Of Ultrasound In The
Labor And Delivery." Journal Of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine 23.6 (2010): 469.
Advanced Placement Source. Web. 14 Oct. 2014.