Ultrasound is one of the safest and most straightforward methods of medical imaging. It uses sound waves that reflect differently depending on the density of the tissue, allowing doctors to examine soft tissues but not bones. Ultrasound is ideal for looking at the structure, density, and size of internal organs.
At VisitHealth, ultrasounds can be done both in the clinic or at home, and they’re available for people of all ages, from children to the elderly.
View additional scans below, or get in touch for personalized guidance on your diagnostic needs.
More scan typesWe partnered with Bupa, Vitality, WPA and Healix. We also work with other major international insurance companies.
How to let us know you are insured:
The preparation depends on the type of ultrasound being performed. You’ll be given specific instructions prior to your appointment. For some scans, like an abdominal ultrasound, you may need to avoid eating and drinking. For others, there might be no special preparation required.
acute conditions: If the ultrasound is for an acute condition – for example, to check for free gas or fluid in the abdomen – no preparation is typically needed. The priority is to quickly assess the condition.
thyroid ultrasound: There is no special preparation needed. You can eat, drink, and take medications as usual before the scan.
vascular ultrasound: Similar to thyroid ultrasounds, most vascular ultrasounds do not require any preparation.
pelvic ultrasound: Drink more water.
Yes, the preparation varies. For an abdominal ultrasound, it is generally recommended to have the scan in the morning after you have refrained from eating, which helps keep the gallbladder expanded. For a pelvic ultrasound, you are often asked to have a full bladder to get clearer images of the bladder and surrounding areas.
Yes, in most cases you will be asked to have a full bladder before a pelvic ultrasound. This provides a clearer image of the bladder, its walls, and the surrounding structures, allowing the doctor to see more details.
It depends on the area being examined. For abdominal scans, it is usually recommended that you refrain from eating for several hours beforehand. You’ll be informed prior to your appointment whether you can eat and how long before the scan you should stop eating.
You are encouraged to wear loose, comfortable clothing that can be easily removed if necessary. If you are having an abdominal or pelvic ultrasound, it helps if clothing can be easily lifted or removed. There are no strict requirements, however. You may also be offered a disposable gown for your comfort during the scan.
For some types of ultrasound, such as pelvic scans, having a full bladder is necessary. It allows for better visualisation of the bladder and the surrounding areas. A full bladder also provides clearer images of features like bladder walls, stones, and blood clots.
In general, ultrasound is a safe and non-invasive procedure with very few contraindications. Preparation depends on the area being examined, and in some cases preparation may not be required at all.
VisitHealth launched in 2017, specialising in nurse-led home care. We have since grown into a new breed of health clinic, delivering a wide range of on-demand healthcare services, seven days a week, 365 days a year.
Ultrasound is one of the safest and most straightforward methods of medical imaging. It uses sound waves that reflect differently depending on the density of the tissue, allowing us to examine soft tissues but not bones. Ultrasound is ideal for looking at the structure, density, and size of internal organs. At VisitHealth, we offer same-day ultrasound appointments, making it convenient for patients to get answers quickly.
Ultrasound is excellent for evaluating the abdomen, the pelvic organs, gynaecological issues, the prostate, and the breasts. One crucial type of scan is called a Doppler ultrasound, which examines blood vessels in the arms and legs to detect blood clots (thrombosis). Blood clots can be life-threatening if they travel to the heart, potentially causing a heart attack. Ultrasound is also used to check the size and structure of the thyroid and for any growths that may be present.
When would you need an ultrasound? It’s typically recommended when you experience unexplained pain, like abdominal pain that comes and goes, or if there’s a chance of conditions like kidney stones. Ultrasound is essential for cardiac screening and if a doctor suspects any abnormalities in our soft tissues, such as lumps on the skin. Whether it’s an abscess, swollen lymph nodes, or other growths, ultrasound helps provide clarity.
At VisitHealth, you’ll receive results within 24 hours, so there’s no long wait to find out what’s going on. Ultrasounds can be done both at our clinic or at your home, and they’re available for people of all ages. We do not provide full pregnancy ultrasounds beyond five weeks of pregnancy, however. We can confirm your pregnancy, but any further monitoring will need to be done elsewhere.
As for pregnancy, VisitHealth can perform scans up to five weeks, but we don’t offer full pregnancy monitoring. We can confirm a pregnancy, but further scans need to be done at specialised facilities.
Ultrasound is a non-invasive diagnostic tool used to examine organs and tissues in the body. Preparation for an ultrasound largely depends on the area being examined. For instance, an abdominal ultrasound typically requires you to refrain from eating to ensure the gall bladder is in its natural, expanded state, allowing for a clearer view of the bile ducts and the organ’s size.
In contrast, a pelvic ultrasound usually requires a full bladder in order to get better images of the bladder and surrounding organs. Some ultrasounds, like those of the thyroid or blood vessels, don’t require any preparation at all. If you're coming in for an urgent ultrasound to rule out conditions like internal bleeding or fluid in the abdomen, preparation isn’t necessary.
We recommend wearing comfortable, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily removed if necessary. For scans of the abdomen and pelvis, you'll be asked to change into a disposable gown provided by the clinic.