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Ultrasound
 Ultrasound
 Dr. Joseph Anzalone, the founding physician of Harbor Medical Group, and the first OB/GYN to introduce diagnostic ultrasound to the private practice once said, "For years we have been taking care of two patients, the mother and the fetus, but have only had the ability to see one of them.‚" Dr. Anzalone rectified this situation by incorporating ultrasound into the practice in 1981. Harbor Medical Physicians and Midwives have worked closely with Board Certified Diagnostic Medical Ultrasonographers in the practice for over 25 years providing coordinated diagnostic care for our obstetric and gynecological patients.
Routine 2D sonography is important in the diagnosis of gynecological symptoms including: pain, dysfunctional bleeding, location and size of cysts and fibroids, endometriosis, identifying a mass felt on physical exam, infertility, bladder problems, and ovarian screening for patients with a family history of cancer. Visualization of pelvic organs by sonography is very helpful in location and measurement of both normal and abnormal pelvic structures as well as location of IUDs. 3D sonography of the endometrium (interior of the uterus) provides helpful information regarding abnormal structures that can cause irregular bleeding and/or pain. Harbor Medical Physicians prefer to compare their physical pelvic exams with an in-house ultrasound for the best continuity of care for our patients.
First Trimester of Pregnancy
Our obstetric patients recognize the benefit of having an ultrasound in the first trimester by knowing how many fetuses they have, the exact gestational age and due date, and if there are any complications regarding viability or placental position. Certain tests done in pregnancy are time-sensitive and a good first trimester measurement is vital in establishing an accurate gestational age for that purpose.
Special Screening in Pregnancy
 First Trimester Screening for chromosomal abnormalities is offered to all pregnant patients. Harbor Medical Sonographers are certified to perform Nuchal Translucency scans, an essential part of this procedure, between 11-13 weeks gestational age. This test involves an ultrasound measurement of the back of the baby's neck and a blood test. Some patients will choose to have a diagnostic Genetic Amniocentesis, done at 16 weeks. A sonogram is performed during which guidance for the amniocentesis is provided. By this time it is normally easy to determine the gender of the fetus if that information is desired by the patient.
Routine Ultrasound Studies in Pregnancy
At 20 weeks gestational age a 2D ultrasound anatomical survey and measurements of the mid-trimester fetus is obtained, providing the physicians with information about the growth and development of the baby, the position of the placenta, quantity of amniotic fluid, maternal uterus and ovaries. Later in pregnancy a scan is sometimes obtained to evaluate growth of the baby (especially in the case of twins), fetal and placental position, and quantity of amniotic fluid. 3D ultrasound will be utilized if an anomaly is suspected that can be better demonstrated by this technique.
Harbor Medical Group is offering 3D/4D obstetric ultrasound scans for family enjoyment and bonding to our patients who have already been evaluated by the mid-trimester anatomic survey scan. The patients receive photographs and a CD with images of the baby. These scans are not covered by health insurance benefits. (link to page explaining 3D/4D package).
All ultrasound exams are done on a GE Voluson 730 Expert instrument which allows for high quality imaging for our patients.
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