Obstetrics and Gynecologic Ultrasound

The specialists at Westchester Medical Center are experts in the diagnosis and treatment of women with gynecologic illnesses and of those experiencing high-risk pregnancies.

We use state-of-the-art ultrasound sonograms to evaluate fetal development, particularly during the first and second trimesters. Coupled with blood tests of the mother, two-dimensional gynecologic imaging can detect genetic abnormalities in a fetus as small as a grain of rice that is between eight and 11 weeks’ gestation.

Early Detection and Intervention

Three- and four-dimensional targeted transvaginal sonograms can be used to perform complete head-to-bottom anatomic surveys of fetuses as early as 14 weeks’ gestation to detect abnormalities of the brain, heart and lungs. Combined with the mother’s age and blood tests, an anatomic survey can determine if a fetus is at high risk for Down syndrome, Turner syndrome, or other chromosomal abnormalities based on several “sonographic markers,” including:

• Extra fluid under the skin along the back of the neck (nuchal translucency)
• The lack of a nasal bone
• A bright spot in the heart
• A “sandal gap” foot with a large space between the big toe and others
• Short femur and humerus bones

The maternal-fetal medicine and gynecologic ultrasound experts at Westchester Medical Center use gynecologic ultrasound imaging to help pregnant patients and their OB/GYNs to make early decisions about treating a problem before or after birth. Whenever the need arises, the center has the facilities and the expertise to perform life-saving operations on a baby within minutes after birth.