About Ultrasound
Ultrasound is a non-invasive procedure that uses sound waves in the assessment of body structures. This procedure is most commonly used for abdominal, pelvic and obstetrical evaluation. Other uses include the assessment of vascular structures and superficial soft tissue abnormalities. Ultrasound procedures are performed by qualified Ultrasound technologists.
What To Expect
After lying down, an ultrasound technologist will apply gel to the skin over the area to be scanned (the abdomen, for example) and then place an ultrasound transducer on the skin. The transducer produces sound waves and then “reads” the echo produces in the body. The “echo” is then processed by the ultrasound computer into detailed images. The procedure uses no ionizing radiation.
Preparation
Abdomen: Do not eat or drink anything for the eight hour period before your exam. Usually this exam is performed in the morning so nothing to eat or drink after midnight the evening before the exam is required.
Pelvis: 90 minutes before your exam, empty your bladder and drink one litre of water over a 30 minute period. Do not empty your bladder until instructed to do so by the technologist. A full bladder is required to properly visualize the pelvic organs and structures.
Obstetrical: 90 minutes before your exam, empty your bladder and drink one litre of water over a 30 minute period. Do not empty your bladder until instructed to do so by the technologist. A full bladder allows visualization of the fetus. An incompletely filled bladder may limit visualization of your baby.
*All other ultrasound exams do not require any special preparation.