Fetal Sonographic Examinations: What to ExpecT
Prenatal sonograms are quite common procedures for sonographers to perform. Sonography in obstetrics and gynecology is a mainstay in that specialty, with thousands of sonograms performed each year on expecting mothers. For sonographers who are interested in OB-GYNE as a specialty, it is important to know that there classifications or categories for sonography procedures. There are different procedures used for different patients and cases. Sonographers can learn about other specialties for ultrasound technologist.
Sonographers: Education, training, job description and salary
To become a sonographer, a person has to take a diagnostic medical sonography (DMS) course. DMS courses can be as short as 12 months or as long as 4 years (a regular bachelor’s degree). There are different kinds of DMS courses but CAAHEP officially recognizes four specialties that can have its own education program: general, cardiac, vascular, and pediatric cardiac. These programs are offered by most colleges and universities in the US.
Clinical training is an important component in DMS training. A person cannot graduate from a program without completing clinical training. Clinical experience is usually conducted in affiliate health care institution, such as clinic, diagnostic center, or a hospital. It is during clinical training that a sonographer learns and develops important characteristics such as hand-eye coordination, stamina, and interpersonal skills, to name a few.
Sonography classification
First Trimester Examination – The pregnancy period is divided into trimesters, each lasting 3 months long – totaling into 9 months for the entire pregnancy. The first sonogram for pregnancy a woman receives is done during the first trimester, in order to evaluate the presence of the implanted embryo or growing fetus. If there is a gestational sac, the embryo or fetus is measured and cardiac activity monitored. Other areas that are observed during this procedure are the cervix, adnexa, and cul-de-sac.
Standard Second or Third Trimester Examination – During the second trimester, the fetus is still measured and cardiac activity monitored but additional observations are made as well. Fetal presentation, amniotic fluid volume, position of the placenta, and an anatomical survey is performed. If feasible, the cervix and adnexa should be examined as well.
Limited Examination – Limited examinations are focused examinations, used when one piece of information needs to be determined or observed (like the fetal heart rate and position). This is usually seen in emergency cases; complete examinations are still prioritized in order to get a full picture of the mother and child’s condition.
Specialized Examinations - For further observation and if more details are needed to analyze the case, special examinations are used. These are fetal Doppler ultrasounds, biophysical profiles, and echocardiograms (to name a few). These are usually performed adjunct to a normal sonogram, and only after a complete examination has been performed prior.
Sonography is both simple and complex. The principles used are simple but using them in practice is complex. Sonographers go through years of training to become certified and still need to take CMEs (continuing medical education) to keep their skills updated on the latest information. Get in contact with your college or university and inquire about available specialties you can train in.
Sonographers: Education, training, job description and salary
To become a sonographer, a person has to take a diagnostic medical sonography (DMS) course. DMS courses can be as short as 12 months or as long as 4 years (a regular bachelor’s degree). There are different kinds of DMS courses but CAAHEP officially recognizes four specialties that can have its own education program: general, cardiac, vascular, and pediatric cardiac. These programs are offered by most colleges and universities in the US.
Clinical training is an important component in DMS training. A person cannot graduate from a program without completing clinical training. Clinical experience is usually conducted in affiliate health care institution, such as clinic, diagnostic center, or a hospital. It is during clinical training that a sonographer learns and develops important characteristics such as hand-eye coordination, stamina, and interpersonal skills, to name a few.
Sonography classification
First Trimester Examination – The pregnancy period is divided into trimesters, each lasting 3 months long – totaling into 9 months for the entire pregnancy. The first sonogram for pregnancy a woman receives is done during the first trimester, in order to evaluate the presence of the implanted embryo or growing fetus. If there is a gestational sac, the embryo or fetus is measured and cardiac activity monitored. Other areas that are observed during this procedure are the cervix, adnexa, and cul-de-sac.
Standard Second or Third Trimester Examination – During the second trimester, the fetus is still measured and cardiac activity monitored but additional observations are made as well. Fetal presentation, amniotic fluid volume, position of the placenta, and an anatomical survey is performed. If feasible, the cervix and adnexa should be examined as well.
Limited Examination – Limited examinations are focused examinations, used when one piece of information needs to be determined or observed (like the fetal heart rate and position). This is usually seen in emergency cases; complete examinations are still prioritized in order to get a full picture of the mother and child’s condition.
Specialized Examinations - For further observation and if more details are needed to analyze the case, special examinations are used. These are fetal Doppler ultrasounds, biophysical profiles, and echocardiograms (to name a few). These are usually performed adjunct to a normal sonogram, and only after a complete examination has been performed prior.
Sonography is both simple and complex. The principles used are simple but using them in practice is complex. Sonographers go through years of training to become certified and still need to take CMEs (continuing medical education) to keep their skills updated on the latest information. Get in contact with your college or university and inquire about available specialties you can train in.