“So, you just look at babies all day…” | The Critical Role of an MFM Sonographer

Sonographers play a very important role in the healthcare field; we're the eyes of the physicians who read our reports. What we image, they see. And, what we report is all physicians see, thus making the role we play critical.??

Sonographers spend years studying physics and how to apply it into the imaging of different densities. Contrary to popular belief, we don't just rub jelly on bellies and take pictures! Quite the opposite; sonography is science and highly technical. After all, ultrasound is a medical imaging modality.?

To become registered and practice in a clinical setting, sonographers must not only graduate from their program, but they must also undergo several board exams. First, we must pass a physics board to even be granted permission to sit for the general board, such as registered diagnostic medical sonographer (RDMS), registered diagnostic cardiac sonographer (RDCS), registered vascular technologist (RVT), or RMSKS.

We then select a specialty, and once the specialty board has been set for, the sonographer is specialized in that specific area. However, for maternal fetal medicine (MFM) sonographers, it doesn't end there.?

As MFM sonographers, we play a critical role in the field of obstetrics. We're highly skilled professionals who use ultrasound technology to evaluate and monitor the health of both the mother and the fetus during pregnancy. MFM sonographers are trained to identify potential complications and abnormalities that may arise during pregnancy, which allow providers to take appropriate action to ensure the best possible outcome for the mother and the baby.?

Moreover, we learn how to perform specialized exams that can detect a wide range of abnormalities, such as heart defects, neural tube defects, and other structural abnormalities.?

There are also procedures that MFM sonographers complete to help answer questions that arise, including defining the fetal cell DNA as well as being able to adequately evaluate the DNA of any chromosome abnormalities and genetic diagnosis. These procedures are conducted in outpatient facilities and called amniocentesis and chorionic villus sampling.?

Many other procedures that can be performed by MFM sonographers are completed in hospital operating room settings, such as TTTS laser procedures and assisting in the repair of spina bifida in utero.??

Something which sets MFM sonographers apart from the rest is how closely we work with physicians. We get to act as an important piece to the puzzle while providing emotional support to women and their families during exams.?

Pregnancy can be a stressful and emotional time, especially when being classified as “high risk.” So, we can help alleviate some of this stress by providing reassurance, answering questions, and explaining results of ultrasound examinations in a clear and understandable way.?

For example, when I have a patient referred for intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), I break it down to explain why we're doing the exam and what exactly I'm doing. “I am doing a BPP and a UA Doppler of your baby since it’s IUGR,” that doesn’t really explain anything to anyone who doesn’t understand medical terms.?

Instead, I'd say, “I will be doing a stress test that is called a BPP, Biophysical Profile, to check on baby’s well-being. This test is 30 minutes and baby must score an 8/8: 2 points for practice breathing, 2 points for flex/extension of the extremities, 2 points for gross body movement, and 2 points for normal fluid around baby. Then we will look at the blood flow that is in the cord that is attached to baby and the placenta, we will look at 3 different loops of cord and doppler the cord. Imagine it being a water hose, we don’t want too much resistance, not enough resistance, a stop and go of flow or flow that goes out then shoots back into the house.”??

This breakdown takes 3 to 4 minutes of having a genuine conversation and an easy-to-understand explanation of what we're there to do. It allows the mother and the family to better comprehend the purpose of the exam rather than having them feel lost and confused about technical terms such as "BPP" and "UA Doppler." As MFM sonographers, we're meant to be empathetic and this is what makes a great sonographer in the healthcare field — taking a step back and being human.??

We play a vital role in ensuring the health and well-being of both mothers and their unborn babies. Over the years, specialized training and increased expertise in the use of ultrasound technology has allowed for great advancements in medical imaging. The sonography field is expected to grow 10% from 2021-2031, faster than the average for all occupations according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Thus, sonography is an increasingly popular career choice and provides much room for growth.?

So, the next time someone asks, tell them about how MFM sonographers don't "just look at babies all day."?