The role of ultrasound in obstetrics.

Ultrasound contributes immensely to obstetrics and its application and use is now widespread. The clinical applications and uses of ultrasound include confirmation of pregnancy and multiple gestation, estimation of gestational age, localisation of placenta and monitoring of foetal wellbeing. The others are evaluation of caesarean section scar integrity and post partum haemorrhage. Ultrasound is also useful in prenatal diagnosis and foetal therapy. The major limitation of ultrasound is the fact that it is not useful in air/gaseous containing media. Ultrasound is safe and there is no known adverse effect for now on mother, foetus or operator at the intensity used for present obstetric examination. Overdependence and abuse of ultrasound remains a problem and it should be emphasised that ultrasound is to complement and not a substitute to clinical judgement.