From humble beginnings in the1950’s, ultrasonography has become an integral part of obstetrics and gynecology practice in the current era. The role and benefits of this technology under trained and responsible hands has led to saving countless number of women and babies. Basic pregnancy care consists of ultrasonography at various levels including dating of pregnancy, first trimester screening, targeted scan for fetal anomalies, placentography and growth assessment of the fetus. It is impossible to conceive the idea of diagnosing and managing high risk pregnancies like early pregnancy bleeding and pain, medical disorders complicating pregnancies, antepartum hemorrhage, fetal growth disorders, multiple pregnancies etc without sonography. In gynecology with the use of transvaginal probes, advancements in identifying pelvic masses, screening for malignancies, monitoring and procedures related to assisted reproductive techniques have become much easier and accurate. Ultrasound guided procedures starting from suction evacuation in early pregnancy to invasive procedure like chorionic villous sampling, amniocentesis have empowered our women by reducing their anxiety, early treatment and recovery. Every unit in every subspeciality of obstetrics and gynecology can perform better if they are equipped with proper training and knowledge about ultrasonography. In labour management, there is upcoming evidence regarding the usage of intrapartum ultrasound monitoring which is more objective and reproducible when compared to conventional methods. It is pertinent to mention about Doppler technology that has aided in identifying high risk growth restricted babies to be monitored and delivered at the right time for their improved survival. Hence, the role of ultrasonography in obstetric care is not only having an impact in this generation but also for the future. In the era of evidence-based medicine, advent of 3D imaging techniques in ultrasonography has helped all the specialists involved in caring for pregnant women and their babies to provide them with the correct information and prospects in cases of fetal anomalies. 4D imaging is upcoming in a big way. With all this being said no other technology has done something as close to ultrasonography without hampering patient safety and never have we heard any patient say about not wanting a “scan”.
