For a pregnant woman, getting an ultrasound can be exciting. This is true especially if you are midway through your pregnancy and you are already expecting to know the sex of your child. This is not always the case though. Ultrasounds can be used not only for pregnancies but also to detect other diseases. As such, a trip to the doctor for an ultrasound is not always exciting.

Preparing for the ultrasound

There is nothing much that you need to do for an ultrasound. You just have to go to your doctor on the date that you have made an appointment. You may be required not to eat or drink hours before the test though to clear your stomach and have a better ultrasound result. It can also be the reverse where you are asked to drink several glasses of water. This ensures that your bladder is full which can help clarify the images for certain tests.

You need to wear comfortable clothes that you can easily remove. If you are pregnant, you have to wear a loose top to easily slide it up. In some cases, you might be asked to wear a hospital gown so it helps if you can easily change.

During the ultrasound

You will be asked to sit or lie down during the procedure depending on which body part is being checked. A water-based gel will be applied to the area. A transducer will then be used to glide across the skin. The gel ensures that there is no air in between the transducer and your skin to ensure better results.

A typical ultrasound could take up to 30 minutes depending on what the doctor is looking for. In some cases, it can end in just a few minutes. Generally, though, it is a safe and comfortable procedure. You have nothing to worry if you are asked to do an ultrasound.

During the test, the technician or the doctor will discuss with you what is seen on the screen. This is why doctors of pregnant women usually ask if the couple want to know the sex of their child in advance before they reveal it. Otherwise, it will be kept a secret.

After the ultrasound

There are instances though in which information cannot be immediately obtained during the scan. You have to wait until after the ultrasound before this information is revealed. The doctor might have to take some time to analyse the results for accurate diagnosis. The results will then be explained to you and the potential treatment if a disease has been discovered.

You can easily get a private ultrasound scan in London. You just need to make an appointment in advance since it can be a bit busy at times.