If you’re currently pregnant or suffering from a medical condition then there’s a good chance that your physician will recommend that you undergo an ultrasound. In the cases of pregnancies an ultrasound will be used to help check the development of your pregnancy and ensure no problems are present. In other cases, diagnostic medical sonography is relied on to help look for possible causes for medical conditions. Especially in these latter cases, you may be feeling a bit apprehensive about the procedure and what it will detect. This is completely normal, but it’s important to understand that there is absolutely nothing to worry about from your ultrasound. Here’s what happens during a typical appointment.
- The first step will be simply to meet the ultrasound technician. They’ll likely introduce themselves and then take you into the procedure room.
- The ultrasound technician may need to gather a bit of data from you about your condition or your history before you begin.
- Next, they’ll explain exactly what the procedure will entail and what they’ll be doing.
- With that done, the ultrasound technician will help you onto the exam table and get you into position for the ultrasound.
- A coating of gel will be applied to the transducer. This gel helps the transducer move across the skin easier and will also make it easier for the machine to pick up quality images.
- In certain cases a transducer will be attached to a probe that needs to be inserted into the body, normally through the anus or vagina. This is commonly for looking at the prostate or certain female organs. In these cases lubricant will be applied before the probe is inserted.
- Now the actual ultrasound will begin. The ultrasound technician will manipulate the transducer so that it finds the best images of your body.
- Those images will be displayed on the screen of the ultrasound machine. The sonography technician will likely explain just what it is that you’re looking at.
- When a good image is found the technician will capture it, much like taking a snapshot. The machine saves these images and when enough are taken, the ultrasound will be finished.
- If your appointment is for a prenatal ultrasound you’ll be given some printed photos of your baby. Any images captured will be sent to your physician for review.
- Your physician will schedule another appointment or call you when they’ve reviewed your ultrasound images and discuss the next course of action.
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