Your physician has asked that you schedule an ultrasound examination either here at Women's Health Consultants or with Consulting Radiology (Downtown or Abbott Northwestern Hospital). This ultrasound is considered a screening test that is offered to women who are at low risk of having a baby with a structural abnormality. Your physician should have discussed your level of risk with you.

• You should be aware that 2-3% of all babies are born with a structural abnormality, and this can happen also in low risk women.


• Any test has the risk of missing a condition that is present. A Screening Ultrasound may miss a structural abnormality. Any test may show a finding that actually is not present…in this case is not found when the baby is evaluated with a "targeted" ultrasound or when the baby is born. Obviously, we strive to limit these "false negative" and "false positive" results.


• If your only risk is your age (>35) and you have declined an amniocentesis, your physician has already discussed with you Maternal Serum Testing ("Quad" Screen) and Targeted Ultrasound as an alternative to amniocentesis.


• A Screening Ultrasound is not an effective way to evaluate your baby for a chromosomal abnormality.


• Sometimes a Screening Ultrasound will find structures that can be associated with chromosomal abnormalities and the sonographer may suggest a Targeted Ultrasound to further evaluate this finding. It is up to you and your physician to decide whether or not you take this next step in examining your baby. How the diagnosis of a chromosomal abnormality in your pregnancy influences your personal medical decisions is a very important discussion to have with your physician.