Ultrasound Specialist

Rudolf Novak, MD, FRCSC, ARDMS -  - OB/GYN

Rudolf Novak, MD, FRCSC, ARDMS

OB/GYN located in Thunder Bay, ON

Your first ultrasound can be an amazing, surreal experience as you watch your baby wiggle and bounce all over the computer screen. Dr. Rudolf Novak uses the services of Thunder Bay Ultrasound in Thunder Bay, Ontario, to provide you with the most memorable ultrasound experiences. Dr. Novak will use your ultrasound results to ensure your baby is healthy. To schedule an ultrasound, ask Dr. Novak or another provider to refer you to Thunder Bay Ultrasound today.

Ultrasound Q & A

How does ultrasound work?

Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves, which bounce off the structures inside your body in a process similar to sonar. The ultrasound machine converts those sound readings into real-time images you can see on a computer screen. During pregnancy, Dr. Novak uses medical ultrasound to check on your baby and identify any possible issues.

Most pregnant women have two or three ultrasounds: One for dating during the first trimester, a second for nuchal translucency between weeks 11-14 -- if they choose prenatal testing -- and one anatomic ultrasound between 18-22 weeks for a more comprehensive examination.

For higher-risk pregnancies -- for example, twins, gestational diabetes, pregnancy-induced hypertension, and others -- Dr. Novak uses ultrasounds more frequently to confirm that the baby (or babies) is growing properly and healthy.

The modern ultrasound technologies provided by Thunder Bay Ultrasound allow you to see your baby in either 2D or 3D and take home keepsake pictures of your little one. To visit Thunder Bay Ultrasound, click here.

What do you look for during an ultrasound?

Ultrasounds provide detailed imagery of your and your baby’s organs and body structures. With the ultrasound images provided by Thunder Bay Ultrasound, Dr. Novak examines:

  • Baby’s health, wellbeing, and position
  • Baby’s size and estimated due date
  • Volume of amniotic fluid
  • Health of placenta and cervix
  • Nuchal translucency screening
  • Blood flow through the arteries and umbilical cord

Your ultrasound technician may also be able to identify the sex of your baby during an ultrasound.

Is ultrasound safe?

Ultrasound causes no known harm, so it’s considered safe for pregnant women and unborn babies. This test doesn’t emit any ionizing radiation, and it’s noninvasive, so it doesn’t even carry the nominal risk associated with tests that require needles or injections.

What can I expect during an ultrasound?

You don’t need to make any special preparations for an ultrasound. However, you may want to wear loose clothing to make it easier for your technician to access your abdomen.

To start this procedure, the technician exposes your belly and applies ultrasound gel to the area. The gel allows the probe to transmit images.

Your sonographer then glides the probe around your belly from various angles while viewing images on a computer screen. They take snapshots of various images throughout the entire scan.

An ultrasound isn’t painful, but you may experience some discomfort if the technician tries to view hard-to-reach areas.

To visit Thunder Bay Ultrasound, click here.