Ultrasound: What to Expect, Preparation & Cost

An ultrasound (also called a sonogram, or sonography) uses high-frequency sound waves to produce real-time images of the inside of your body. A small handheld device called a transducer is pressed against your skin, sending sound waves that bounce off internal structures and create images on a screen.

Ultrasound is completely safe - it doesn't use any radiation. This makes it the preferred imaging method during pregnancy and for children. It's also widely used to examine the abdomen, pelvis, heart, blood vessels, muscles, and joints.

Ultrasound is commonly used for:

• Pregnancy - monitoring fetal development, dating scans, anatomy scans, checking the placenta - see our pregnancy scan timeline for what happens when • Abdominal organs - gallstones, liver conditions, kidney stones, pancreas and spleen issues • Pelvic conditions - ovarian cysts, fibroids, endometriosis, prostate assessment • Musculoskeletal - tendon tears, muscle injuries, joint inflammation, guided injections • Vascular - blood clots (DVT), carotid artery narrowing, varicose veins, blood flow assessment • Thyroid and neck - thyroid nodules, enlarged lymph nodes • Breast - supplementary to mammography, investigating lumps • Heart (echocardiogram) - heart valve function, heart chamber size, blood flow

Preparation depends on the type of ultrasound:

• Abdominal ultrasound: Fast for 6-8 hours before the scan (water is usually OK). This reduces gas in the bowel and helps the images. • Pelvic ultrasound: You'll usually need a full bladder. Drink 1 litre of water 1 hour before your appointment and don't empty your bladder. • Pregnancy ultrasound: A full bladder is typically needed for early pregnancy scans. Later scans may not require it. • Musculoskeletal / other: No special preparation usually needed.

The clinic will give you specific instructions when you book. Always follow their advice for the best results.

You'll lie on a bed and the sonographer will apply a warm gel to your skin over the area being examined. The gel helps the sound waves travel into your body.

The sonographer moves the transducer over your skin, pressing gently to get clear images. You may feel some pressure but it shouldn't be painful. For some pelvic scans, an internal (transvaginal) ultrasound may be recommended for clearer images.

Most ultrasounds take 15 to 45 minutes. The sonographer may show you the images during the scan, but a radiologist will review and report on the images afterwards. Results are usually sent to your doctor within 24-48 hours.

Ultrasound costs vary by type:

• Bulk-billed: Available at many clinics with a valid referral, especially for pregnancy scans • With Medicare rebate: $0-$100 out-of-pocket for most standard ultrasounds • Without Medicare: $150-$400 • Pregnancy scans: Often bulk-billed; specialist morphology scans may have a gap fee of $50-$200

Most ultrasounds are covered by Medicare with a valid referral. Use Radly to find bulk-billing clinics near you.

Ultrasound is considered one of the safest imaging methods. It uses sound waves, not radiation, so there are no known risks or side effects.

It is safe to use during pregnancy and can be repeated as often as clinically needed without any increased risk. This is why it's the primary imaging tool for monitoring pregnancies.

The gel used during the procedure is water-based and hypoallergenic. It washes off easily with a towel or tissue.