The following is a list of OB images obtained during ultrasound or by intraoperative photographs.

Click on the hyperlink below to view the larger JPG images

Early OB Vaginal Ultrasound
The ultrasound (also called a sonogram) image on the left is of an 8-week pregnancy. The baby's head is on the left, and if you look very carefully, you can see the 'gestational sac' surrounding the baby. It's a thin, circular area that later in pregnancy will fuse together with the inside wall of the uterus, to form the water bag. This was a vaginal ultrasound taken at 8 weeks, which revealed a great looking baby with a nice heartbeat and even some movement!

The right-hand picture is of the same baby, but from a slightly different angle. Here, we can see the yolk sac, which provides nourishment for the baby during early pregnancy. The umbilical cord can even be seen coming
from the bottom part of the yolk sac. Vaginal ultrasound is a tremendous help for doctors as we evaluate early pregnancies. The presence of normal structures like the baby (called a fetal pole in early pregnancy), yolk sac, and gestational sac, and the presence of a normal heartbeat, is very reassuring for both the patient and the doctor!

Cervical Cerclage (Incompetent Cervix)
Incompetent cervix is a medical term that describes a cervix that is either too thin (effaced) or has dilated prematurely. In most cases the cause is unknown. In other cases cervical incompetence may be caused by prior cervical dilation, for example during a D&C or other surgery, or from treatment of very abnormal Pap smears, for example a LEEP (LLETZ) procedure or a cold knife conization. Regardless, once diagnosed by internal exam or ultrasound, the treatment is either cervical cerclage (pronounced "sir-klahj"), which is a stitch around the cervix, or by strict bedrest.
Incompetent cervix can be a devastating condition that may lead to delivery of a baby that is far too small to survive outside the mother's body. Thus, early diagnosis and treatment is critical.