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Preparing for an Ultrasound

Abdomen Ultrasound
  • Do not eat or drink anything 5 hours before to your appointment.
  • Children 4 and under - Nothing to eat or drink 4 hours before your appointment.

Abdomen & Pelvic Ultrasound
  • Do not eat or drink anything 5 hours before your appoint, except you must drink three (3) 250ml (8oz) glasses of water 1 1/2 hours before your procedure.
  • Avoid using the washroom 1 hour prior to your exam to ensure you have a full bladder for the procedure. A full bladder is required for the exam.
  • Childen 10 and under - must drink 250 ml (8 oz) of water 1 hour before the procedure.

Echocardiogram
  • There are no special preparations required for this procedure (transthoracic echocardiogram).

Obstetrical Ultrasound
  • You must drink two (2) 250 ml (8 oz) glasses of water 1 1/2 hours before your appointment.
  • Avoid using the washroom 1 hour prior to your exam to ensure you have a full bladder for the procedure. A full bladder is required for the exam.
Just a few reminders before your exam:
  • The purpose of an obstetrical ultrasound is to obtain a detailed medical examination of your baby. Only the partner or an appropriate adult is allowed in the room during the scan.  After the scan is complete, staff will be pleased to show the images to you and those accompanying you, up to a maximum of 4 people.
  • Determing the sex of the baby is now available as an option. 
  • Picture of the ultrasound are available for purchase upon request. Please make sure to inform the sonographer when you enter the Ultrasound Room if you would like a picture of the ultrasound. Pictures can be picked up one week after the procedure.

Obstetrical Ultrasound 3rd Trimester (over 25 weeks)
  • There are no special preparations required for this procedure. 
Just a few reminders before your exam:
  • The purpose of an obstetrical ultrasound is to obtain a detailed medical examination of your baby. Your ultrasound scan must be completed before the father, friends and/or family members are allowed in the room. At that time, staff will be pleased to show the images to you and those accompanying you, up to a maximum of 3 people.
  • Determing the sex of the baby is now available as an option.

Pelvic Ultrasounds
  • Do not eat or drink anything 5 hours before your appoint, except you must drink three (3) 250 ml (8 oz) glasses of water 1 1/2 hours before your procedure.
  • Avoid using the washroom 1 hour prior to your exam to ensure you have a full bladder for the procedure. A full bladder is required for the exam.
  • Childen 10 and under - must drink 250 ml (8 oz) of water 1 hour before the procedure.

Renal Ultrasound (kidneys)
  • You must drink two (2) 250 ml (8 oz) glasses of water 1 1/2 hours before your procedure.
  • Childen 10 and under - must drink 250 ml (8 oz) of water 1 hour before the procedure.

Transrectal Ultrasound
  • No fasting is required for this procedure.
  • A "Fleet" enema must be taken at home 4 hours before the exam. You can purchase this preparation with instructions from your local pharmacy.
  • Your doctor will prescribe an antibiotic which should be started the day before the procedure.
  • If you are taking aspirin or any other blood thinners, you should talk with your doctor about stopping them before the procedure.
  • A responsible adult should accompany you to your exam.
  • Arrive 1 hour before your scheduled exam for further preparation before the procedure.



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