Are there any special preparations for pelvic ultrasounds?
Abdominal scanning is usually done with the patient lying flat on an examination table. Garments are elevated or pulled down to expose the lower abdomen to the pubic bone. Abdominal scanning may require a full bladder, which provides a “window” through which the pelvic organs may be seen. Therefore you may be asked to drink a large quantity of water and/or refrain from urinating just prior to the examination. Preparations for a vaginal scanning are similar to those for a routine manual pelvic examination. You must disrobe from the waist down. You will need to assume a position similar to the one used for a Pap smear. Either your legs are placed in stirrups or your buttocks elevated by a thick cushion. Your bladder should be completely empty. Is vaginal sonography painful or harmful? Although the examination is often performed to look for a cause of pelvic pain, the sonogram itself should not be painful or significantly increase your discomfort. A vaginal sonogram is usually more comfor
