Role of ultrasound in obstetric management

This is a retrospective, noncomparative study of the impact of routine and indicated ultrasound examinations on 163 private and 125 clinic patients, respectively. Management decisions (delivery, nonintervention, tocolysis) based on indicated ultrasound were made in 36.7% of the private and 63% of the clinic patients. Ultrasound was important in assigning and altering the EDC where dates were unsure. Serendipitous findings were especially important in finding fetal anomalies. Routine ultrasound provided the obstetrician with reassurance in normal pregnancies.