Ultrasound, Lab, and NST Monitoring

The Group offers onsite ultrasound procedures, which are performed by one of our experienced and caring registered diagnostic medical sonographers. We have the capability to assess the following, to ensure the health of your baby:

• Dating Ultrasound
• Anatomy Scan
• Growth Ultrasound
• Biophysical Profile
• Nuchal Translucency
• Cervical Lengths

In addition to routine obstetric ultrasounds, we can also provide specialized care in pregnancies with increased risk including:

• Gestational or Chronic Hypertension
• Gestational or Preexisting Diabetes
• Obesity
• History of Pre-Term Delivery
• Advanced Maternal Age
• Placenta Previa
• Twin Pregnancy

Ultrasound is a diagnostic tool that also helps physicians evaluate obstetric related conditions such as:

• Abnormal uterine bleeding
• Assessing for anomalies of the reproductive tract
• Assessing for ectopic pregnancies
• Infertility
• Monitoring of ovarian follicles during treatment for infertility
• Recurrent pregnancy loss

Preparing for Ultrasound

One to Two Hours Before

• Empty your bladder. Do not empty your bladder again until after the test is done.
• If you have a bladder catheter, this should be clamped 1-2 hours before the test.

One Hour Before

• Drink four, eight-ounce glasses of fluids.
• You may take your usual medicines before your test.

What to Expect

• Ultrasound is usually painless. However, you may experience mild discomfort.
• A typical ultrasound exam takes 30 minutes.
• Gel is put on the skin and a scanner is placed on the area to get a picture using sound waves.

Results

• When your exam is complete, a trained sonographer analyzes the images and sends a report to your physician. Your physician will share the results with you. You will receive an email/text with images of your baby!
  • Digital Images: You will receive brief instructions via email/text, along with a link to your unique landing page. You may then choose to open the link using your browser or using the Tricefy Mobile App. Select Download Image or right-click/hold down on the image and SAVE. Once images are saved or downloaded, they can be posted on social media, emailed to family, and/or shared with friends! (The originals, stored within Tricefy, are secure and encrypted. The link lifespan is 90 days, but you may delete the page, voiding the link, before it expires by using the Delete Code provided.)

Ultrasound Guest Policy

Family members and/or friends are welcome into the exam room with you. However, the number of people in the ultrasound room is limited to 3 people (not including the patient). This includes adults and children. Please have family members/friends here at the time of the ultrasound appointment otherwise, they will NOT be allowed back once the exam has started. Children are welcome however; children under 5 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. We reserve the right to excuse anyone from the ultrasound room if it is getting too distracting for the sonographer to perform the diagnostic imaging. 

What does your baby look like and what are they doing in there?! Our ultrasound machines offer state-of-the-art 3D/4D imaging of your baby. See your baby move in real-time! One of our experienced and caring registered diagnostic medical sonographers will perform your ultrasound. In order for the sonographer to be able to acquire the best 3D/4D image, it is preferred that you be 26-30 weeks. If you are under 26 weeks, the images will not be as ideal.

• 3D/4D ultrasounds look the same on the monitor
  • 3D refers to the still image/picture of your baby
  • 4D is seeing your baby moving on the screen

Fee And Insurance

The fee for 3D/4D ultrasounds is $150. This service is for entertainment purposes only. Insurance companies do not pay for these kinds of ultrasounds. However, you will cherish your images! This ultrasound offers an unparalleled bonding experience. It includes:

• 15-minute screening time
• Link to download color and black & white 3D images
• Gender determination (if desired)

Requirements

To schedule a 3D/4D ultrasound, you must:

• Be at least 26-30 weeks pregnant
• Be a current patient of The Group
• Already had a complete Level I or Level II ultrasound as ordered by our physicians or midwives

Preparing for Ultrasound

One to Two Hours Before

• Empty your bladder. Do not empty your bladder again until after the test is done.
• If you have a bladder catheter, this should be clamped 1-2 hours before the test.

One Hour Before

• Drink four eight-ounce glasses of fluid.
• You may take your usual medicines before your test.

What to Expect

• Ultrasound is usually painless. However, you may experience mild discomfort.
• A typical ultrasound exam takes 30 minutes. The 3D/4D ultrasound scan may take 10-15 minutes.
• Gel is put on the skin and a scanner is placed on the area to get a picture using sound waves.

Results

When your exam is complete, a trained sonographer analyzes the images and sends a report to your physician. Your physician will share the results with you. You will be provided a link via email or text to download images of your baby!

• If you opt for digital images, you will receive brief instructions via email/text, along with a link to your unique landing page. You may then choose to open the link using your browser or using the Tricefy Mobile App. Select Download Image or right-click/hold down on the image and SAVE. Once images are saved or downloaded, they can be posted on social media, emailed to family, and/or shared with friends! (The originals, stored within Tricefy, are secure and encrypted. The link lifespan is 90 days, but you may delete the page, voiding the link, before it expires by using the Delete Code provided.)

Ultrasound Guest Policy

Family members and/or friends are welcome into the exam room with you. However, the number of people in the ultrasound room is limited to 3 people (not including the patient). This includes adults and children. Please have family members/friends here at the time of the ultrasound appointment otherwise, they will NOT be allowed back once the exam has started. Children are welcome however; children under 5 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. We reserve the right to excuse anyone from the ultrasound room if it is getting too distracting for the sonographer to perform the diagnostic imaging. 

Why Is NST Done?

A nonstress test is used to evaluate a baby's health before birth. The goal of a nonstress test is to provide useful information about your baby's oxygen supply by checking his or her heart rate and how it responds to your baby's movement. The test might indicate the need for further monitoring, testing, or delivery.

What to expect: During the nonstress test, you'll lie on a reclining chair. You'll have your blood pressure taken at regular intervals during the test.

Your health care provider or a member of your health care team will place a sensor around your abdomen that measures the fetal heart rate.

Typically, a nonstress test lasts 20 minutes. However, if your baby is inactive or asleep, you might need to extend the test for another 20 minutes - with the expectation that your baby will become active - to ensure accurate results. Your health care provider might try to stimulate the baby by placing a noise-making device on your abdomen.

After NST Procedure

After the nonstress test is complete, at The Group you will have an immediate visit with your midwife or physician to review your results.

Results

Results of a nonstress test are considered:

• Reactive. Before week 32 of pregnancy, results are considered normal (reactive) if your baby's heartbeat accelerates to a certain level above the baseline twice or more for at least 10 seconds each within a 20-minute window. At week 32 of pregnancy or later, if your baby's heartbeat accelerates to a certain level above the baseline twice or more for at least 15 seconds each within a 20-minute window, the results are considered reactive.
• Nonreactive. If your baby's heartbeat doesn't meet the criteria described above, the results are considered nonreactive. Nonreactive results might occur because your baby was inactive or asleep during the test.

A reactive nonstress test is considered reassuring regardless of the length of observation time needed. However, if the test is extended to 40 minutes and your baby's nonstress test results are nonreactive, your health care provider will likely do another prenatal test to further check your baby's health. For example:

• Biophysical profile. A biophysical profile combines a nonstress test with a fetal ultrasound that evaluates your baby's breathing, body movements, muscle tone, and amniotic fluid level.
• Contraction stress test. This test looks at how your baby's heart rate reacts when your uterus contracts. During a contraction stress test, if adequate uterine activity doesn't occur on its own you will be given intravenous oxytocin or be asked to rub your nipples to induce uterine activity.

Also for your convenience throughout your pregnancy, we partner with LabCorp to offer routine blood work, urinalysis, and any additional laboratory testing as needed while you are here.

Lab Hours

No appointment is necessary as long as you have a written order from your doctor. 

Monday – Friday: 8AM – 4:30PM
The lab is closed over the lunch hour from 12:00PM - 12:30PM