What to Expect During an Ultrasound
Before Your Ultrasound
Please arrive to your appointment 15 minutes early to allow time to register. If your appointment is after 5 p.m. during the week or on Saturday or Sunday, please go to Emergency Room registration.
Your sonographer may ask many questions before your exam. You should let him or her know if you have ever had an ultrasound before, if you've had surgery before, any medications you take and if you are pregnant.
For abdominal ultrasounds scheduled in the morning, please fast (nothing to eat or drink) after midnight the night before your exam. For exams later in the day, please fast for eight hours before your test.
For pelvic ultrasounds, please start drinking 32 ounces of water one hour before your appointment and finish the water a half hour before your test. Please do not urinate before your appointment.
During Your Ultrasound
During your test, you will lie on a table. A non-greasy gel will be applied to the part of your body that is being imaged. The sonographer will slide a hand-held device called a transducer across your body to create the images.
After Your Ultrasound
Contact your doctor to discuss your test results.