Why is this procedure done?
A vaginal ultrasound is done to help see organs inside of a womans body. You may have a vaginal ultrasound to see the uterus, cervix, and ovaries. The doctor may want to see how a pregnancy is progressing. Your doctor may look for things like abnormal tissue, fibroids, or cysts. Ultrasound uses sound waves to make images or pictures. The ultrasound may show the need for more testing. ‚
What will the results be?
Your doctor will look at the ultrasound. The results will help your doctor understand if there is a problem with your organs or with your babys development. Together you can make a plan for more care. ‚
What happens before the procedure?
You may need to have an empty bladder or your bladder may need to be partially filled, based on why your doctor is doing this test. If your bladder needs to be full, you will be asked to drink a few glasses of water. If you are wearing a tampon, you will need to take it out before the test. ‚
What happens during the procedure?
- You will be asked to lie down on a bed with your feet in foot holders. The technician will place a cover over the probe and put a small amount of gel on the probe. The gel will help transmit sound waves inside your body. Either you or the technician will place the probe in your vagina.
- The technician will move a probe around and you may feel some pressure. The probe puts out sound waves. The sound waves bounce off of your organs and structures in your body. A computer picks up the sound waves. The computer changes sound waves into pictures.
- You can see the pictures on a monitor beside the bed. The probe may move inside you a bit and change positions. Changing positions will help to get more clear and complete images. The technician may take still pictures or a recording of moving images.
- Sometimes, you may have sterile salt water inserted into your uterus during this test. This is called a Saline Infusion Sonography or SIS. It allows the doctor to see a clearer picture of the inside of your uterus. A regular vaginal ultrasound can be done on pregnant women, but a SIS cannot.
- The procedure may take less than 30 minutes.
What happens after the procedure?
The technician will wipe off the gel. Your doctor will look at the printed images or recording. You can go home right after your procedure. Talk to your doctor about when the results will be available. ‚
What care is needed at home?
You may go back to your normal activities after the procedure. ‚
What follow-up care is needed?
Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep your visits. ‚
What problems could happen?
Ultrasound tests do not cause any problems to your health. ‚
Where can I learn more?
American College of Radiology ‚
http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?PG=obstetricus ‚
American College of Radiology ‚
http://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=pelvus ‚
Last Reviewed Date
2015-09-28 ‚
List_set bdysylist
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care provider 's advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2016 Wolters Kluwer Clinical Drug Information, Inc. and its affiliates and/or licensors. All rights reserved. ‚