Ultrasound

Before:

Fasting is required for 4 hours before your exam. It is advisable to drink clear liquids, and you can continue taking your prescribed medications (except for anti-diabetic medication) before the scan.
Remove all jewellery and metal objects.

Drink water according to the following schedule:
- 1st drink (200 ml): 1 hour before your appointment time
- 2nd drink (200 ml): 30 minutes before your appointment time
- 3rd drink (200 ml): 10 minutes before your appointment time
If you have a urinary catheter, ensure it is clamped.
Do not empty your bladder before the scan, as we need it to be full during the procedure.

Typically, external ultrasound involves moving a probe over the skin with the application of lubrication gel. A sonographer manoeuvres the probe to capture images of the area under study. The probe emits sound waves into the body, which bounce back and are then sent to a computer to generate images.
Ultrasound is generally painless, but discomfort may occur during scans of the womb or pelvic area when a full bladder is required.
An ultrasound scan usually lasts between 30 minutes to an hour.