Your GP referral form, Medicare card, health care card or pension card (if applicable). Please follow instructions for preparation for your scan such as filling your bladder.

An ultrasound scan uses crystals to send sound waves into the body. This helps to create images which are taken by the performing sonographer and then interpreted by a radiologist.

Ionizing radiation is used in an x-ray. This is not the case with ultrasound. Ultrasound uses sound waves and there are no known significant risks associated with the scans.

You are welcome to bring one other person to your scan. Due to COVID guidelines we are now restricted to only one other person within the scanning room.

Abdomen Or Upper Abdomen Ultrasound A routine abdominal scan looks at all organs in the abdomen. As soon as food or drink is ingested, the body automatically creates gas. Ultrasound cannot penetrate through gas thus, makes it difficult to visualise these organs resulting in inadequate images. Also, when food is ingested, the gallbladder produces bile for breakdown which causes it to contract and cannot be visualised properly. We request you fast 6-8 hours prior to your appointment. No food, no coffee, no smoking. Medication is able to be taken with a small amount of water. Pelvic Ultrasound A pelvic ultrasound looks at the uterus and ovaries, as well as surrounding areas. A full bladder is needed to push the uterus into a position where we are able to adequately visualize the uterus and ovaries. We request that you have a full bladder before your appointment. A full bladder also helps to push the intestines and bowel out of the way. It is recommended to empty the bladder one hour prior to your appointment and drink one litre from emptying. Renal Ultrasound We request that you have a full bladder before your appointment. It is recommended to empty the bladder one hour prior to your appointment and drink one litre from emptying. Aortic/ Bilateral Leg Arteries Ultrasound It is required for you to fast 6-8 hours prior to your appointment. Dating Ultrasound > 6weeks We request that you have a full bladder before your appointment. It is recommended to empty the bladder one hour prior to your appointment, and drink one litre from emptying. 12-13 week nuchal translucency scan We request that you have a full bladder before your appointment. It is recommended to empty the bladder one hour prior to your appointment, and drink one litre from emptying. 20-22 week morphology scan We request that you drink a few cups of water prior to your exam to maintain a semi full bladder.

Limestone Ultrasound adhere to a Covid safe plan and comply with it's requirements in order to be allowed to operate. Patients will be asked to scan a QR code or sign in on entry. Patients are asked to reschedule their appointment if they have or had cold and flu symptoms. We will be more than happy to help you find another suitable time. Patients are asked to comply with all other covid safe regulations, to keep our team and community safe.

In ultrasound, a better image corresponds to getting the transducer or camera as close as possible to the body part that is being imaged such as the uterus and ovaries. This will help give detailed images which could result in a more accurate diagnosis. You will never be forced into a transvaginal scan; this is an option that is completely up to you.

The ultrasound scan is performed by the sonographer. The images the sonographer takes are then sent to the x-ray doctor (the radiologist) where they will be examined and reported on. A radiologist is a highly trained specialist who uses imaging to diagnose disease. This report will then get sent to your general practitioner, usually within 24 hours.

Your pregnancy is calculated from the amount from weeks since your last period. Ultrasound will not be able to see anything earlier than 6 weeks. It is ideal to book a dating scan when you are around 7-9 weeks pregnant.

The average pregnancy usually requires at least two ultrasounds. The initial scan for dating commonly occurs in the first trimester, followed by a lengthy scan in the second trimester.