Preparing for an ultrasound depends on the type of ultrasound examination you're having. Ultrasound exams are commonly requested for various medical purposes, including pregnancy care, abdominal scans, soft tissue and small parts scans and vascular evaluations. Here are some general guidelines to help you prepare for an ultrasound:
- Follow your healthcare providers instruction (if they have given you guidelines) and clarify further information. Emergency ultrasound scans are typically arranged without any special preparations.
- Pertinent medical history, complaints and previous investigation results may be needed to help in your imaging interpretations.
- Your type of preparation will depend on the type of ultrasound scans you are doing. These can be affect your clothing, medication, hydration and accessories.
- Clothings:
- Abdomino(pelvic) Ultrasound: Wear light clothings with separate tops, to allow ease of removing or changing
- Pelvic/Scrotal/Soft tissue/Transvaginal Ultrasound: Wear loose lower garment for easy removal or changing.
- Neck Ultrasound: Avoid neck jewellery or firm tops around the neck.
- Lower Limb Vascular Doppler Ultrasound: This examination requires exposure of the groin down the entire leg. Wear comfortable lower garment that can be removed easily.
5. Hydration: You may be required to drink an adequate amount of water, so as to have a filled bladder. Full bladder are required for proper ultrasound visualisation of the womb in women during pelvic ultrasound or the prostate in men.
6. Safety: Ultrasound scans don't emit radiations, hence it is safe for all age groups, including unborn babies in the womb.
7. Discomfort: Ultrasound scans are painless. Few patients however report some discomfort with transvaginal or transrectal ultrasound scans.
Always discuss with your healthcare provider about any specific enquiry or clarification.