FAQs Archive | Greater Washington Maternal-Fetal Medicine and Genetics

Q: Will I always see a doctor at each visit?

On some visits to our office, you will have the ultrasound exam performed by one of our certified sonographers and then the physician will visit with you to review and discuss the exam. At follow-up visits and some First Trimester Screen visits, you may often see the sonographer only. She will document the ultrasound images, pointing out the size, growth, movement, etc with you. Later, the physician will review the images and send a report to your obstetrician. Of course, if the sonographer sees anything during the exam that concerns her she will have the physician come into your room and review the sonogram.

Q: When will my obstetrician get a report of my sonogram and visit from your office?

We usually send a report to your doctor within 24 hours after your visit. If necessary, our perinatologist will contact your doctor directly if findings need to be discussed at the time of the visit.

Q: When can the gender of my baby be seen?

Most of the time the gender of the baby can be seen at about 20 weeks of pregnancy and very often, much earlier with the high-tech sonogram machines that we use. On the other hand, visualization of any fetal part depends on a number of factors such as the fetal position. There are times when the gender is unable to be determined on a specific sonogram visit.

Q: When is the earliest I can do my First Trimester Screen?

You may have your FTS blood test as early as 9-10 weeks gestation, allowing final results when you complete your nuchal translucency ultrasound in our office at 11-13 weeks. Please discuss this with the scheduler when making your appointment. If you prefer to only come to our office for one visit, you may come in at 11-13 weeks where we will complete your ultrasound and blood work on the same day. Results will then be available about 1 week after that appointment.

Q: What is the First Trimester Screening?

The First Trimester Screen is a method of screening for Down syndrome, Trisomy 18, and sometimes Trisomy 13. It involves a specialized ultrasound and a blood test at 11-13 weeks of pregnancy.