This test is done in an ultrasound room in a hospital, clinic, or doctor's office. If both a transabdominal and transvaginal ultrasound will be done, the transabdominal ultrasound will usually be done first.
You will need to remove any jewellery that might be in the way of the ultrasound. You will need to take off most of your clothes below the waist. You will be given a gown to use during the test.
You will lie on your back (or on your side) on a padded table.
You need to lie very still while the ultrasound is being done. You may be asked to take a breath and hold it for several seconds during the test.
Transabdominal ultrasound For transabdominal ultrasound (Figure 8) , you may need to drink 4 to 6 glasses of water about an hour before the test. Don't empty your bladder until the test is over. If you can't drink enough fluid, your bladder may be filled with water through a thin flexible tube (catheter) inserted into your bladder.
Gel will be put on your belly to improve the quality of the sound waves. A small, hand-held device called a transducer is gently moved over your belly. A picture of the organs and blood vessels can be seen on a video screen.
When the test is done, the gel is cleaned off your skin.
Transrectal ultrasound If you are having a transrectal ultrasound (Figure 9) , you may need an enema before the test.
For transrectal ultrasound (Figure 10) , you will be asked to lie on your left side with your knees bent. A digital rectal examination may be done before the ultrasound test. Then a lubricated transducer probe will be gently placed into your rectum. It will slowly be moved to take pictures from different angles. You may feel some pressure. Water may be put into your rectum to clean the end of the transducer so that clear pictures can be seen.
Transvaginal ultrasound For transvaginal ultrasound (Figure 11) , you will empty your bladder. You will be asked to lie on your back with your knees bent and feet and legs supported by footrests.
A thin, lubricated transducer probe will be gently placed into your vagina. It will slowly be moved to take pictures from different angles.
In rare cases, sterile saline is put in the uterus through a thin tube (catheter). This allows the doctor to look at the inside of the uterus (hysterosonogram).
How long the test takes A pelvic ultrasound can take 15 to 30 minutes.
Figure 8 - Transabdominal Ultrasound A transabdominal ultrasound is used to look at the pelvic organs. Gel is placed on your abdomen. Then a small, hand-held unit called a transducer is gently moved around to view the pelvic organs. The transducer sound waves make a picture on the TV screen.
Current as of: July 31, 2024
Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC StaffClinical Review Board All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
Figure 9 - Transrectal Ultrasound A transrectal ultrasound is used to look at the prostate gland and other pelvic organs in men. A thin probe called a transducer is covered with a lubricated sheath similar to a condom. The transducer is then gently put into the rectum. The transducer sound waves make a picture on a TV screen (monitor).
Current as of: July 31, 2024
Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC StaffClinical Review Board All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
Figure 10 - Transrectal Ultrasound A transrectal ultrasound is used to look at the prostate gland and other pelvic organs in men. A thin probe called a transducer is covered with a lubricated sheath similar to a condom. The transducer is then gently put into the rectum. The transducer sound waves make a picture on a TV screen (monitor).
Current as of: July 31, 2024
Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC StaffClinical Review Board All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.
Figure 11 - Transvaginal Ultrasound A transvaginal ultrasound is used to look at the pelvic organs in women. A thin probe called a transducer is covered with a lubricated sheath similar to a condom. The transducer is then gently put into the vagina. The transducer sound waves make a picture on a TV screen (monitor).
Current as of: July 31, 2024
Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC StaffClinical Review Board All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.