Do I need to book an appointment?
Yes, ultrasound exams do require an appointment. A requisition from your family doctor will be sent to us via fax or mail and we will contact you usually within one week once it has been received. Consult your doctor's office if you are unsure what type of examination you have been referred for.
If you do not arrive on time for your scheduled appointment we may have to reschedule due to time constraints. Please give us 24 hours notice to cancel your appointment. Fees are charged for 'no-shows'.
How should I prepare for an ultrasound?
Pregnancy or pelvic ultrasound:
Drink 24 oz. (3 8 oz glasses) of water before the exam. You must be finished drinking one hour before the exam start. While uncomfortable, a full bladder helps to enhance the ultrasound image of the pelvic organs. If your bladder is not full at the time of the exam, the test may not be able to be completed.
Abdominal ultrasound:
Nothing to eat or drink for 8 hours before the test. You may drink a small amount of water to take medication.
No preparation is needed for vascular exams.
On the day of your appointment we ask that you shower, refrain from wearing scented products (due to patients and employees with allergies) and wear clothing that can easily be moved out of the way or removed if necessary.
How long will the exam take?
On average an ultrasound takes 30 minutes. This can vary depending on the complexity of the exam so please allow for delays. We also ask that you arrive a minimum of 15 minutes early for your appointment to allow time to park and check-in.
What happens during an ultrasound scan?
For some exams you will be asked to change into a gown. The sonographer will discuss the exam with you and answer any questions you might have. A special gel will be applied directly to your skin in the area that is to be examined. The sonographer will use a small transducer and will slowly guide it over your skin in the area that has been covered with gel to produce pictures of your organs and blood vessels that will appear on the sonographer's monitor.
Can I bring my child with me to my appointment?
We request that you do not bring children with you to your exam. Children cannot be in the exam room for safety reasons and our staff are not able to supervise children. Please arrange to leave the children at home or to bring another adult to watch them in the waiting room.
Can I bring family members to my appointment?
With the exception of obstetrical exams, for safety reasons we do not allow anyone else to be in the room during the exam. For obstetrical exams we do allow family members in the room after the medical portion of the exam is complete and the technologist has obtained all the necessary images.
Why do I need a full bladder for my renal, pelvic, or obstetrical ultrasound exam?
Ultrasound uses sound waves to generate a picture. A full bladder moves the organs and allows the sound waves to pass through so the sonographer can view the target of the ultrasound.
Can I take medications before my abdominal/gallbladder ultrasound test?
Yes, but it is best to take these only with a small amount of water.
Will the sonographer discuss what they saw in my exam?
. No. only radiologists are qualified to interpret your examination results. A radiologist will interpret your images and a report will be sent to your doctor.
Can I find out the gender of my baby at the time of my visit?
Determining gender through ultrasound is not 100% accurate and there could on occasion be circumstances that prevent this from being seen, i.e., baby positioning.
Can I take pictures or videos during the exam?
We do not allow the use of outside video or photography equipment in the exam rooms as this can interfere with the technician's ability to adequately complete the medical examination.
Can I get an ultrasound picture of my baby?
Yes, for a fee we can print images for you to take home. Please consult the clinic for up-to-date pricing information.
Are there after effects ultrasound exam?
No, after your ultrasound exam you may resume your normal activities, diet, and medications unless instructed otherwise by the technologist or your doctor.
When will my doctor get the report?
Your results are reviewed first by the radiologist and the reports are usually mailed to your doctor within three business days. Urgent results will be phoned or faxed to your doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor also has the option to view your results online.