Ultrasound Patient Preparation

Abdomen Ultrasound

• Do not eat or drink anything 5 hours before your appointment.
• Children 4 and under should not eat or drink anything for 4 hours before their appointment time.

*Note:  Patients are asked to please not use any lotions or scented products the day of their exam.

Abdomen and Pelvic Ultrasound

• Do not eat or drink anything 5 hours before your appointment.
• You must drink three 250 ml (8oz) glasses of water 1½ hour (90 minutes) before your appointment time.
• Do not void before the appointment (do not use the washroom). A full bladder is required for the exam.
• Children under 10 must drink 250 ml (8oz) of water 1 hour before their appointment time.

*Female Patients:  Additional imaging may be required to obtain the best possible images. This may require the use of an endovaginal transducer - a small ultrasound probe that is inserted into the vagina by the sonographer with patient assistance. Prior to this, the patient will be asked to empty their bladder, then additional images can be taken. This is a safe and harmless procedure and a verbal consent will always be requested from the patient before proceeding.

*Note:  Patients are asked to please not use any lotions or scented products the day of their exam.

Pelvic Ultrasound

• You must drink three 250 ml (8oz) glasses of water 1½ hour (90 min) before your appointment time.
• Do not void before the appointment (do not use the washroom). A full bladder is required for the exam.
• Children under 10 must drink one 250 ml (8oz) of water 1 hour before their appointment time.

*Female Patients:  Additional imaging may be required to obtain the best possible images. This may require the use of an endovaginal transducer - a small ultrasound probe that is inserted into the vagina by the sonographer with patient assistance. Prior to this, the patient will be asked to empty their bladder. Then, additional images can be taken. This is a safe and harmless procedure and a verbal consent will always be requested from the patient before proceeding.

*Note:  Patients are asked to please not use any lotions or scented products the day of their exam.

Renal Ultrasound (Kidneys)

• You must drink two 250 ml (8oz) glasses of water 1½ hours (90 min) before your appointment time.
• Do not void before the appointment (do not use the washroom). A full bladder is required for the exam.
• Children 10 and under must drink 250 ml (8oz) 1 hour before their appointment time.

*Note:  Patients are asked to please not use any lotions or scented products the day of their exam.

Obstetrical Ultrasound

• You must drink two 250ml (8oz) glasses of water 1½ hours (90 min) before your appointment time.
• Do not void before the appointment (do not use the washroom). A full bladder is required for the exam.

*Please note:  Additional imaging may be required to obtain the best possible images. This may require the use of an endovaginal transducer - a small ultrasound probe that is inserted into the vagina by the sonographer with patient assistance. Prior to this, the patient will be asked to empty their bladder, then additional images can be taken. This is a safe and harmless procedure and a verbal consent will always be requested from the patient before proceeding.

Just a few reminders before your exam:

• The purpose of the obstetrical ultrasound is to obtain a detailed medical examination of your baby. One adult person is welcome to be present with the mother during the ultrasound scan of your baby. The sonographer requires silence in the room to complete the diagnostic portion of the exam. If there are interruptions, the support person may be asked to leave the room until the exam has been completed.
• Sonographers cannot answer any questions about the results of the exam.
• Pictures are available upon request (pricing subject to change at any point). Please inform the sonographer when you enter the Ultrasound Room if you want a picture.

Obstetrical Ultrasound First Trimester and Urgent

• You must drink two 250ml (8oz) glasses of water 1½ hours (90 min) before your appointment time.
• Do not void before the appointment (do not use the washroom). A full bladder is required for the exam.

*Please note:  Additional imaging may be required to obtain the best possible images. This may require the use of an endovaginal transducer - a small ultrasound probe that is inserted into the vagina by the sonographer with patient assistance. Prior to this, the patient will be asked to empty their bladder, then, additional images can be taken. This is a safe and harmless procedure and a verbal consent will always be requested from the patient before proceeding.

Just a few reminders before your exam:

• The purpose of the obstetrical ultrasound is to obtain a detailed medical examination of your baby. One adult person is welcome to be present with the mother during the ultrasound scan of your baby. The sonographer requires silence in the room to complete the diagnostic portion of the exam. If there are interruptions, the support person may be asked to leave the room until the exam has been completed.
• The sonographer cannot answer any questions about the results of the exam.

*Note:  Patients are asked to please not use any lotions or scented products the day of their exam.

Obstetrical Ultrasound Third Trimester (Over 25 weeks)

• No preparation required unless it is to assess placenta location or cervix. In that case, drink two 250 ml (8oz) glasses of water 1 hour before the appointment time.

*Please note:  Additional imaging may be required to obtain the best possible images. This may require the use of an endovaginal transducer - a small ultrasound probe that is inserted into the vagina by the sonographer with patient assistance. Prior to this, the patient will be asked to empty their bladder, then, additional images can be taken. This is a safe and harmless procedure and a verbal consent will always be requested from the patient before proceeding.

Just a few reminders before your exam:

• The purpose of the obstetrical ultrasound is to obtain a detailed medical examination of your baby. One adult person is welcome to be present with the mother during the ultrasound scan of your baby. The sonographer requires silence in the room to complete the diagnostic portion of the exam. If there are interruptions, the support person may be asked to leave the room until the exam has been completed.
• Sonographers cannot answer any questions about the results of the exam.

Transrectal Ultrasound

• No fasting is required.
• A “Fleet” enema must be taken at home 4 hours before the exam. You can purchase this preparation with instructions from your local pharmacy.
• Your doctor will prescribe an antibiotic which should be started the day prior to the procedure.
• If you are taking aspirin or other blood thinners, talk to your doctor about stopping them before the procedure.
• A responsible adult should accompany you.
• Arrive 1½  hour  (90 min) prior to the exam time for further preparation.

How do I contact Diagnostic Imaging Services?

Queen Elizabeth Hospital
60 Riverside Drive
PO Box 6600
Charlottetown, PE   C1A 8T5

Telephone:  (902) 894-2282

Prince County Hospital
65 Roy Boates Avenue
PO Box 3000
Summerside, PE   C1N 2A9

Telephone:  (902) 438-4200