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What to Expect from Your Ultrasound Appointment
Article reviewed by Dr. Richard Perry.
Whether you’re monitoring your pregnancy or investigating a health concern, ultrasounds give you and your healthcare provider a clear and detailed look inside your body.
This mostly non-invasive, painless procedure uses sound waves to create images of your internal organs and tissues. Doctors can use an ultrasound to diagnose several conditions and monitor the development of a baby.
At PRP Imaging, we make sure that your ultrasound experience is comfortable and informative, giving us crucial information for an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment planning without any discomfort.
If you have an upcoming ultrasound appointment and don’t know what to expect, this article will tell you everything you need to know. Have more questions? Don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team for in-depth information tailored to your experience.
What is an Ultrasound?
An ultrasound is a medical imaging technique that uses high-frequency sound waves to produce images of the inside of the body. You might have also heard it referred to as sonography. This mostly non-invasive procedure is widely used for diagnostic purposes, allowing your doctor to view your organs, tissues, and blood flow in real-time.
Ultrasound is especially valued for its safety and comfort for patients since it doesn’t use ionising radiation like X-rays or CT scans and there are several different types.
Abdominal ultrasound
An abdominal ultrasound focuses on the organs within the abdomen, such as your liver, gallbladder, spleen, pancreas, and kidneys.
It’s commonly used to diagnose conditions like gallstones, liver disease, and kidney stones. This type of ultrasound can also help evaluate blood flow in your abdominal vessels.
Pelvic ultrasound
Pelvic ultrasounds are used to look at the organs in the pelvic area, including the uterus, ovaries, and bladder.
This type of ultrasound is particularly important in obstetrics and gynaecology, where it helps doctors monitor fetal development during pregnancy and diagnose conditions like ovarian cysts or uterine fibroids.
It’s important to note that pelvic ultrasounds can be carried out transabdominally (over the stomach) or transvaginally (through the vagina), depending on the area being examined. PRP Imaging have a large contingent of female sonographers to perform these types of ultrasounds, they will explain the process in detail and it will only be done with your consent.
Obstetric ultrasound
Obstetric ultrasounds are used during pregnancy to monitor the development and health of the fetus. These scans can confirm the pregnancy and the sex of the baby, estimate the due date, check fetal heartbeat, and detect abnormalities in the baby’s growth.
They provide crucial information about your baby’s growth, position, and overall well-being.
Breast ultrasound
Breast ultrasounds are used to examine breast tissue, often after an abnormal mammogram.
The procedure helps to identify cysts and solid masses. It’s an important tool in the diagnosis and monitoring of breast conditions, including cancer.
Cardiac ultrasound
A cardiac ultrasound, also known as an echocardiogram, is used to assess the heart’s structure and function. It helps diagnose heart conditions, evaluate blood flow, and monitor heart health.
This type of ultrasound gives doctors detailed images of the heart’s chambers, valves, and surrounding structures, making it incredibly important in cardiology.
Musculoskeletal ultrasound
Musculoskeletal ultrasounds focus on the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints. It’s commonly used to diagnose injuries like tears, sprains, and inflammation. This type of ultrasound is particularly useful in sports medicine and orthopaedics for evaluating soft tissue injuries.
Preparing for Your Ultrasound
The night before
The night before your ultrasound, it’s important for you to follow any specific instructions provided by your healthcare provider. Make sure to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated throughout your exam. On the day of the ultrasound, continue to follow any specific guidelines, such as avoiding certain foods or medications.
What to wear
Comfortable, loose-fitting clothing is ideal for your ultrasound appointment.
You might be asked to change into a gown, depending on the part of the body being examined. Avoid wearing jewellery or accessories that could interfere with the scan. Being comfortable will help you relax during the procedure.
Fasting requirements
Many patients want to know if fasting is necessary, but this depends on the type of ultrasound you have. Abdominal scans often require fasting for about six hours to allow for clear images. Pelvic ultrasounds may require you to have a full bladder, so you might need to drink water and avoid urinating before the test. Our staff will give you specific preparation instructions based on your exam.
Arrival and check-in process
Upon arrival at your local PRP Imaging clinic, you’ll check in at the reception desk, where our friendly staff will confirm your details and guide you to the waiting area. Be sure to bring your referral, Medicare or private health information, and any other relevant documents.
Our team is dedicated to ensuring you have a smooth and comfortable experience, taking care of all your needs throughout the process.
During the Ultrasound
When you arrive for your ultrasound, a friendly technician will guide you to the examination room. You may be asked to change into a gown, depending on the area of your body being examined.
The technician will apply a clear gel to your skin — this gel helps the transducer, a handheld device, make better contact with your body to capture clear images. For abdominal and pelvic ultrasounds, the technician will move the transducer over your skin to capture images of your organs.
If you’re having a pregnancy ultrasound, you’ll be able to see your baby on the screen. Sometimes, for a more detailed view, a transvaginal ultrasound may be performed, where the transducer is gently inserted into the vagina to get closer images of the cervix and uterus.
What you’ll see during the ultrasound
During the procedure, you’ll see black-and-white images on the screen. These images represent different parts of your body being examined.
For pregnancy ultrasounds, you might see your baby’s movements, heartbeat, and other details. The technician will take measurements and capture the necessary pictures to give a comprehensive view of your baby’s growth.
What the technician will do
The technician also referred to as a sonographer, will guide the transducer over your skin to capture various angles and measurements. They may ask you to change positions to get better views.
Throughout the test, your sonographer will make sure you’re comfortable and explain what they are doing. They’re there to answer any questions you have about the process.
How long it typically lasts
An ultrasound typically lasts between 30 and 60 minutes, depending on the complexity of the exam and the area being examined.
Some specific tests may take a shorter or longer amount of time. Your healthcare provider will be sure to disclose this before the procedure.
Questions to ask your sonographer
While our sonographers cannot discuss the result of the ultrasound with you, feel free to ask any questions during the procedure. You might want to ask about what they’re looking for and how the images will be used, and let them know about any concerns you might have.
Understanding the process can help reduce any anxiety you have and make the experience much more comfortable.
After the Ultrasound
After your ultrasound, you can expect to get back to your normal activities immediately. There are no known risks associated with ultrasound scans, making them a safe and convenient diagnostic tool.
The ultrasound technician will clean off any remaining gel from your skin, and you’ll be free to dress and leave the clinic as soon as you’re ready. If you had a full bladder for the scan, you’d be able to use the facilities right away.
How and when you’ll receive your results
The sonographer will capture and document the necessary images during your appointment. These images will be reviewed by a radiologist who will interpret the findings and complete a report.
Your results will typically be sent to your referring doctor within a few days. For more detailed scans, like a 3D ultrasound, the process may take a little bit longer.
Your doctor will discuss the findings with you and explain any identified issues or conditions. If any urgent issues are found, the clinic will contact you promptly.
Follow-up and additional testing requirements
Depending on the findings from your ultrasound, your doctor may recommend follow-up appointments or additional tests. For example, if the ultrasound detects something unusual, such as a fluid buildup or abnormal size of an organ, further diagnostic tests may be necessary to understand the condition better.
In cases where birth-related conditions or other significant issues are identified, immediate follow-up actions will be advised by your doctor to ensure you receive the appropriate care and treatment.
Understanding your results and any required follow-ups will help make sure that you receive the best possible care. If you have any symptoms or concerns after your ultrasound, be sure to contact your healthcare provider for further guidance.
FAQs
Will the ultrasound procedure be painful?
No, an ultrasound procedure generally isn’t painful at all. It’s a mostly non-invasive imaging technique that uses sound waves to create images of the inside of your body.
You might feel slight discomfort from the pressure of the transducer, especially if you need a full bladder for your scan. For more information, check out our article on non-invasive imaging technology and patient care.
How long does an ultrasound appointment typically last?
An ultrasound appointment typically lasts between 20 and 60 minutes, depending on the type and complexity of the scan. Check out the PRP service page for your scan for more information.
Can I eat or drink before my ultrasound appointment?
Whether you can eat or drink before your ultrasound depends on the type of scan you’re getting. For pelvic ultrasounds, for example, you’ll need to drink plenty of water to fill your bladder.
Our team will give you specific instructions based on your exam.
Will I receive the results immediately after my ultrasound?
Results will be provided as soon as possible, but this will likely take a couple of days.
The images from your ultrasound are reviewed by a radiologist, and a report is sent to your referring doctor. Your doctor will discuss the findings with you during a follow-up appointment.
What parts of the body can be examined using an ultrasound?
An ultrasound can examine many parts of the body, including the abdomen, pelvis, heart, blood vessels, and musculoskeletal structures.
It’s commonly used for monitoring pregnancy, diagnosing conditions in both children and adults, and evaluating organs like the liver, kidneys, and thyroid.