Ultrasound

You will be having an ultrasound. An ultrasound takes pictures of the inside of your belly with sound waves (that is why it is called ultrasound). But, these sound waves are not ones that you and I can hear or feel. These bounce off the different parts of your insides. You can't feel them, but they make a black and white picture that can be seen on the TV screen. These are the same sound waves that bats, dolphins, and even submarines use to move around without using eyes.

For your test, you might have to drink a lot of water and not go to the bathroom until the test is done. That might be a little hard, but we know you can do it.

The technologist will bring you to a room with a bed. They will help you get on the bed and ask you to lie on the bed with your tummy bare. The doctor or technologist will put some warm jelly on your tummy. The ultrasound machine will be near the bed; it has a TV screen where you will see the picture. There will be a probe attached to the machine with a long cord. This probe is like a camera. The doctor or technologist will put the probe on the jelly, that is on your tummy, and move it around.

Sometimes the doctor or technologist might have to press down on the probe. Usually this does not hurt, but if it does, please tell the doctor or technologist and they will do their best to be gentle. It is important that you try not to move around.

Once you are finished the doctor or technologist will clean the jelly off your tummy and you can go home. Usually the whole thing will take around 30 minutes. If you have any questions, or are scared, you can talk to the technologist. If you want to talk to someone before coming in, please call Fletcher Allen Radiology at (802) 847-3593.