Perth Radiological Clinic | Female Pelvic Ultrasound

Your examination (scan) will be performed by a Radiologist or by a Sonographer, who is a specially trained technologist. The ultrasound is performed to obtain information that will assist your doctor in managing your health. The Sonographer or Radiologist require a high level of concentration to ensure an accurate assessment is achieved. For this reason, under most circumstances, family and friends of the patient are not permitted to watch non-obstetric ultrasound scans. You will need to either leave children in the care of a babysitter or bring a babysitter to supervise them in the waiting room, as children must not be left unsupervised in the waiting room.

Please advise our booking staff when making your appointment if you have diabetes and are on Insulin, or suffer epilepsy, to ensure the correct timing for your scan.

Please eat a Fat Free meal 8 hours before your examination and then nothing more until after your examination.
Drink clear fluids (black tea, black coffee, water and cordial) as normal during the 8 hours prior to examination.
Continue to take medication.
No Smoking or chewing gum during the fasting period.
Beginning 1½ hours before appointment time, gradually drink 1000mls (1 litre) of water.
Please finish drinking the 1000mls of water 1 hour before your appointment.
Do not empty bladder.

A clear gel is applied to the area to be examined. The ultrasound probe is then placed in contact with the skin and moved over the surface to study the tissues below. When the still pictures are taken you may be asked to hold your breath for a few seconds. The scan is completely painless, although pressure may be applied to improve the view in some areas. Please tell the sonographer should this become uncomfortable.

In some female pelvic scans, we may suggest using a transvaginal probe to get a closer view of the pelvic organs. A transvaginal scan is frequently performed early in pregnancy (12 weeks or less). There may also be some indications for this procedure later in the pregnancy. The transvaginal scan is performed with an empty bladder, and as a result many patients find it more comfortable. The small sterilised probe, about the same diameter as a thumb, is lubricated with gel before insertion into the vagina. A protective cover (a condom) is placed over the transducer each time it is used, so there is no risk of infection. We only offer a transvaginal study if it may be of benefit, but it is your decision. If you have an objection to a transvaginal ultrasound being performed please inform the sonographer.

Most ultrasound appointments are for up to 30 minutes, although some complex studies may require longer. Sometimes the radiologist may come to view the screen, however this is quite routine and should not cause alarm. The images are then interpreted by the radiologist and the results will then be forwarded to your referring doctor.

Please note: Due to the high demand for these tests, a fee may be charged for appointments that are cancelled within 24 hours prior to the booking.

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