Essential Ultrasound Preparation Guidelines for Optimal Imaging Results
Proper preparation before your ultrasound scan is essential for obtaining clear, diagnostic-quality images. Different types of ultrasound examinations require specific preparation to ensure the best possible results. At International Ultrasound Services London, we want to make sure you have all the information you need to prepare correctly for your scan.
Please review the preparation instructions for your specific scan type below. If you have any questions about these guidelines, please contact our team at 0203 051 6506.
Abdominal Ultrasound Preparation
Abdominal scans examine organs such as the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, kidneys, and spleen. Proper preparation is crucial for these examinations.
Required Preparation:
- Fasting: Please do not eat or drink anything except water for 6 hours before your appointment
- Medications: Continue to take your regular medications with a small sip of water
- Hydration: Despite fasting, please drink 2-3 glasses of water 2 hours before your scan
- Avoid: Gassy foods (beans, broccoli, cabbage, onions) for 24 hours before your scan
- Smoking: Refrain from smoking for at least 4 hours before your appointment
Why This Preparation Matters:
Fasting ensures your gallbladder is visible and not contracted, while avoiding gassy foods reduces intestinal gas that can obscure abdominal organs. Learn more about abdominal scans.
Pelvic ultrasounds examine the uterus, ovaries, and bladder in women, or the prostate and bladder in men.
Required Preparation:
- Full Bladder: Drink 1.5-2 pints (1 litre) of water 1 hour before your appointment
- Hold Urine: Do not empty your bladder until after your examination
- Medications: Take your regular medications as normal
- Timing: If possible, schedule pelvic scans outside your menstrual period (unless specifically examining for menstrual issues)
Why This Preparation Matters:
A full bladder pushes intestines out of the way and provides an acoustic window to better visualize pelvic organs. It also outlines the bladder itself for evaluation.
Learn more about female pelvic scans.
Early Pregnancy Scan Preparation (6-10 weeks)
Early pregnancy scans require special preparation to ensure clear visualization of the developing pregnancy.
Required Preparation:
- Full Bladder: Drink 1.5-2 pints (1 liter) of water 1 hour before your appointment
- Hold Urine: Do not empty your bladder until instructed
- Medications: Continue taking prescribed prenatal vitamins and medications
- Transvaginal Option: Be aware that a transvaginal approach may be recommended for optimal imaging at this early stage (no special preparation needed for this approach)
Why This Preparation Matters:
A full bladder helps elevate the uterus from the pelvis, providing better visualization of early pregnancy. Learn more about Early Pregnancy Scans.
Later Pregnancy Scan Preparation (After 12 weeks)
For pregnancy scans after 12 weeks, including dating scans, gender scans, and growth scans.
Required Preparation:
- No Full Bladder Required: After 12 weeks, the uterus rises into the abdomen naturally
- Hydration: Regular hydration is encouraged—no need to drink extra water
- Eating: Normal eating is fine; no fasting required
- Medications: Continue taking prescribed prenatal vitamins and medications
Why This Preparation Matters:
At this stage of pregnancy, no special preparation is needed as the uterus is easily visible in the abdomen. Visit our Pregnancy Scans page for more information about later pregnancy scans.
Musculoskeletal (MSK) Scan Preparation
MSK scans examine joints, muscles, tendons, and other soft tissues.
Required Preparation:
- Clothing: Wear loose clothing that allows easy access to the area being examined
- Jewelry: Remove jewelry from the scan area
- Recent Activity: If possible, avoid strenuous exercise involving the area being scanned for 24 hours prior
- Information: Bring any relevant previous imaging reports or medical records
Why This Preparation Matters:
Comfortable access to the area being examined ensures a thorough assessment. Learn more about MSK Scans.
Vascular Ultrasound Preparation
Vascular scans examine blood vessels, including carotid arteries, leg veins (for DVT), and the abdominal aorta.
Required Preparation:
- General Vascular Scans: No specific preparation required
- Carotid Artery Scans: No specific preparation required
- DVT (Deep Vein Thrombosis) Scans: No specific preparation required
- Abdominal Aorta Scans: Fast for 6 hours before your appointment
- Smoking: Avoid smoking for at least 2 hours before any vascular examination
Why This Preparation Matters:
For most vascular scans, no special preparation is needed. However, fasting before abdominal aorta scans improves visualization. Avoiding smoking helps ensure normal vascular tone for accurate assessment. Learn more about Vascular Scans.
Thyroid Ultrasound Preparation
Thyroid ultrasound examines the thyroid gland in the neck.
Required Preparation:
- No special preparation required
- Necklaces/Chains: Please remove any necklaces or chains
- Clothing: Wear a shirt or blouse that allows easy access to your neck
- Medications: Take your regular medications as normal, including thyroid medications
Why This Preparation Matters:
The thyroid gland is superficial and easily accessible for ultrasound. No internal preparation is needed, only access to the neck area.
Breast Ultrasound Preparation
Breast ultrasound examines breast tissue for abnormalities.
Required Preparation:
- No special dietary preparation required
- Deodorant/Powder/Lotion: Do not apply to the underarm or breast area on the day of your exam
- Clothing: Wear a two-piece outfit for easy access to the breast area
- Timing: For women still menstruating, the best time for a breast ultrasound is 7-14 days after the first day of your period
Why This Preparation Matters:
Products like deodorant can appear as calcifications on images. Hormonal fluctuations during the menstrual cycle can affect breast tissue, so timing can be important. Learn more about Breast Scans.
Fertility Scan Preparation
Fertility scans assess reproductive organs and structures relevant to fertility.
Required Preparation:
- Transvaginal Scans: Empty your bladder just before the examination
- Follicular Tracking: Schedule according to your cycle day (usually days 8-12)
- Endometrial Assessment: Typically performed days 19-23 of a 28-day cycle
- Sexual Activity: Abstain from sexual intercourse for 24 hours before certain fertility assessments
Why This Preparation Matters:
Timing relative to your menstrual cycle is crucial for fertility assessments. Your doctor or our staff will advise on the optimal timing for your specific examination. Learn more about Fertility Scans.
General Guidelines for All Patients
Regardless of your scan type, please:
- Arrive Early: Plan to arrive 10-15 minutes before your appointment
- Bring Identification: Bring photo ID and your appointment confirmation
- Previous Records: Bring any relevant previous scan reports or medical records
- Medications List: Bring a list of current medications
- Insurance Details: If using private medical insurance, bring your policy details
- Companion: Consider bringing a companion for support (especially for pregnancy scans)
- Questions: Write down any questions you want to ask during your appointment
Special Considerations
Diabetes
If you have diabetes and are scheduled for a scan requiring fasting:
- Contact us in advance for specific guidance
- Generally, we recommend scheduling early morning appointments
- Bring your glucose monitoring equipment and any necessary snacks for after the scan
- Take half your usual dose of insulin if you normally take it (but confirm with your doctor)
Mobility Issues
If you have mobility limitations:
- Our clinic is wheelchair accessible
- Let us know in advance if you need assistance
- We can allow extra time for your appointment if needed
Anxiety and Claustrophobia
If you experience anxiety around medical procedures:
- Consider bringing a support person
- Let us know about your concerns in advance
- Our sonographers are experienced in helping anxious patients feel comfortable
What if I Couldn't Prepare as Instructed?
If you were unable to follow the preparation instructions for any reason, please:
- Call us as soon as possible at 0203 051 6506
- If it's outside office hours, come to your appointment anyway
- Inform the receptionist and sonographer about the preparation issue
- In many cases, we can still proceed with the examination
- If the scan cannot be performed optimally, we may reschedule your appointment
Related Information
Common Questions
Can I bring someone with me to my scan?
Yes, you're welcome to bring a support person to your appointment. For pregnancy scans, partners and close family members are encouraged to share the experience.
How should I dress for my scan?
Wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing that allows easy access to the area being scanned. Two-piece outfits are ideal for abdominal and pelvic scans.
Will the scan hurt?
No, ultrasound scans are typically painless. You may feel some pressure as the sonographer moves the probe over your skin, but this shouldn't be painful.
Will I get my results immediately?
In most cases, your sonographer will discuss preliminary findings with you immediately after your scan. For detailed information on results delivery, see our Scan Results and Reports page.
For more answers to frequently asked questions, please visit our comprehensive FAQs page.
Preparing for Your Visit
To ensure the best possible imaging and experience, some scan types require specific preparation. For detailed instructions on how to prepare for your particular examination, please visit our Preparation for Your Scan page.
Book Your Ultrasound Scan
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