Ultrasound Services
- What is an Ultrasound Scan?
It is the type of scan that pregnant women undergo, but it can also be used on other parts on the body.
- How does it work?
An ultrasound scan uses high frequency sound waves in very short pulses.These travel from a transducer, which rests on your skin, and are reflected off different tissues inside you and then received back at the transducer. The transducer passes the signal into a computer that displays an image of your insides on a screen.Usually this image represents a thin 2 dimensional slice of your anatomy. The operator moves the transducer around to get the best views to help diagnosis, whilst watching on the screen for anything abnormal. They will record several images or short video clips to illustrate the scan and these are kept in a computer database that is part of your patient record. The operator will use a small amount of gel on your skin to ensure the transducer contacts your skin effectively.
- What is a Doppler ultrasound scan?
This is a special ultrasound technique that uses “Doppler shift” information in the returning echoes to show where there is movement and measure that movement. This is useful in studying blood flow patterns in the heart and blood vessels
- What are the dangers? Is it safe for the mother and the baby ?
Ultrasound is considered a safe process because, unlike X rays, it does not involve ionising radiation. It does involve putting a tiny amount of energy into your body but at such a low intensity that in general it will not produce any measurable effects at all.
Ultrasound scanning is a simple non-invasive procedure conducted on the examination table. Unlike X-rays which are contra indicated during pregnancy, ultrasound scanning is safe for the mother and the growing fetus. Repeated ultrasound scans pose no problems to either the mother or the fetus.
- What are the advantages of ultrasound?
As discussed above, it is a relatively safe technique that can be repeated if necessary. It will produce images of tissues that X ray techniques do not show so well. It is safe to use in pregnancy.
- Is there any preparation required for Ultrasound Scans ?
Please call to fix prior appointment and carry your previous medical/scan reports
- Abdominal scan : Come with empty stomach (fasting for min. 3 to 6 hours before the scan). Drink 5 to 6 glasses of water. Do not pass urine for 2 hours before the scan.
- KUB, Pelvis, Follicular study and early pregnancy (upto 4 months) : Normal diet can be taken. Drink 5 to 6 glasses of water. Do not pass urine for 2 hours before the scan.
- No preparation required for other scans.
Lab Services
- What is the preparation required for blood tests ?
- Blood tests – Fasting blood sugar/insulin , Lipid profile, Thyroid (T3,T4, TSH), Glucose Tolerance / Control (GTT / GCT)
- Please come with empty stomach after 12 hours of overnight fasting. You can take one or two glasses of water.
- Please avoid fatty food and alcohol for the preceding 3 days
- Other blood tests – No preparation required . However, please call in advance to clarify if you have any doubt.