How to prepare for your ultrasound scan

No preparation needed. Eat, drink and take medication as normal.

No preparation needed. Eat, drink and take medication as normal. No fasting for a neck ultrasound.

No preparation needed. Eat, drink and take medication as normal.

No preparation needed. Eat, drink and take medication as normal.

An empty bladder. Your scan is performed internally (transvaginally) unless you ask otherwise, so please empty your bladder just before the scan. If you would prefer a transabdominal scan through the tummy, tell us when you book, drink a litre of water 45 to 60 minutes before and keep your bladder full. You can eat and drink as normal.

An empty bladder. Your scan is performed internally (transvaginally) unless you ask otherwise, so please empty your bladder just before the scan. If you would prefer a transabdominal scan through the tummy, tell us when you book, drink a litre of water 45 to 60 minutes before and keep your bladder full. You can eat and drink as normal.

No fasting needed. Eat and drink as normal. A comfortably full bladder helps the scan part of the visit.

No special preparation. Eat and drink as normal. A comfortably full bladder can help, but it is not essential at this stage.

No special preparation. Eat and drink as normal. A small snack beforehand can encourage your baby to move into a helpful position.

No special preparation. Eat and drink as normal. A small snack beforehand can encourage your baby to move.

No special preparation. Eat and drink as normal. You do not need a full bladder for this scan.

Empty your bladder. A transvaginal cervical scan is clearest with an empty bladder. Please use the toilet just before your appointment.

A short questionnaire before you attend. A pre-procedure questionnaire is sent with your booking confirmation: medication, allergies, blood thinners and diabetes. Please complete it before your appointment.

A short questionnaire before you attend. A pre-procedure questionnaire is sent with your booking confirmation: medication, allergies, blood thinners and diabetes. Please complete it before your appointment.

A short questionnaire before you attend. A pre-procedure questionnaire is sent with your booking confirmation: medication, allergies, blood thinners and diabetes. Please complete it before your appointment.

A short questionnaire before you attend. A pre-procedure questionnaire is sent with your booking confirmation: medication, allergies, blood thinners and diabetes. Please complete it before your appointment.

A short questionnaire before you attend. A pre-procedure questionnaire is sent with your booking confirmation: medication, allergies, blood thinners and diabetes. Please complete it before your appointment.

A short questionnaire before you attend. A pre-procedure questionnaire is sent with your booking confirmation: medication, allergies, blood thinners and diabetes. Please complete it before your appointment.

A short questionnaire before you attend. A pre-procedure questionnaire is sent with your booking confirmation: medication, allergies, blood thinners and diabetes. Please complete it before your appointment.

A short questionnaire before you attend. A pre-procedure questionnaire is sent with your booking confirmation: medication, allergies, blood thinners and diabetes. Please complete it before your appointment.

No preparation needed. Eat, drink and take medication as normal. Deodorant does not affect an ultrasound.

Wear a two-piece outfit. A separate top makes the examination simpler. A gown is provided.

Wear a two-piece outfit. A separate top makes the examination and scan simpler. A gown is provided.

No preparation needed. Eat, drink and take medication as normal.

An empty bladder. Your scan is performed internally (transvaginally) unless you ask otherwise, so please empty your bladder just before the scan. If you would prefer a transabdominal scan through the tummy, tell us when you book, drink a litre of water 45 to 60 minutes before and keep your bladder full. You can eat and drink as normal.

An empty bladder. Your scan is performed internally (transvaginally) unless you ask otherwise, so please empty your bladder just before the scan. If you would prefer a transabdominal scan through the tummy, tell us when you book, drink a litre of water 45 to 60 minutes before and keep your bladder full. You can eat and drink as normal.

Fast for four hours. No food for four hours before your scan. Water is fine; avoid fizzy drinks and chewing gum.

An empty bladder. Your scan is performed internally (transvaginally) unless you ask otherwise, so please empty your bladder just before the scan. If you would prefer a transabdominal scan through the tummy, tell us when you book, drink a litre of water 45 to 60 minutes before and keep your bladder full. You can eat and drink as normal.

An empty bladder. Your scan is performed internally (transvaginally) unless you ask otherwise, so please empty your bladder just before the scan. If you would prefer a transabdominal scan through the tummy, tell us when you book, drink a litre of water 45 to 60 minutes before and keep your bladder full. You can eat and drink as normal.

Fast for four hours. For the clearest view of the gallbladder. Water is fine; avoid fizzy drinks.

An empty bladder. Please empty your bladder just before the scan. You can eat and drink as normal.

Fast for four hours. No food for four hours before your scan. Water is fine, but avoid fizzy drinks and chewing gum, which add gas.

Fast for four hours. No food for four hours before your scan. Water is fine; avoid fizzy drinks.

Arrive with a comfortably full bladder. Drink about half a litre of water in the hour before, and avoid emptying your bladder.

Avoid food for four hours. An empty stomach reduces gas. Water is fine; avoid fizzy drinks and chewing gum. No bowel preparation is needed.

No preparation needed. Eat, drink and take medication as normal.

No preparation needed. Eat, drink and take medication as normal.

No preparation needed. Eat, drink and take medication as normal.

Fast for four hours. For the clearest view of the gallbladder. Water is fine.

No preparation needed. Eat, drink and take medication as normal.

No preparation needed. Eat, drink and take medication as normal.

No fasting needed. Eat and drink as normal. Avoiding a large meal or fizzy drinks for a couple of hours beforehand gives the clearest view, but is not essential.

No preparation needed. Eat, drink and take your medication as normal. There is no fasting and no injection.

No fasting needed. Eat, drink and take your medication as normal.

No preparation needed. Eat, drink and take medication as normal.

No preparation needed. Eat, drink and take medication as normal.

No preparation needed. Eat, drink and take medication as normal.

No preparation needed. Eat, drink and take medication as normal.

No preparation needed. Eat, drink and take medication as normal.

No preparation needed. Eat, drink and take medication as normal.

No preparation needed. Eat, drink and take medication as normal.

No preparation needed. Eat, drink and take medication as normal.

No preparation needed. Eat and drink as normal. Avoid calcium supplements on the day of the scan.

No preparation needed. Eat, drink and take medication as normal.

No preparation needed. Eat, drink and take medication as normal.

Fast for two to three hours. No food before your appointment. Small sips of water are fine. Eating shortly before the test raises blood flow to the liver and can falsely raise the stiffness reading.

Feed your baby beforehand. A feed shortly before the appointment helps your baby stay settled. Bring a spare nappy and a muslin.

Feed your baby beforehand. A settled, recently fed baby lies still more easily. Bring a spare nappy and a muslin.

No preparation needed. Your son can eat and drink as normal. Babies can be fed shortly before.

A light stomach if possible. Avoid food for around four hours if your child can manage it; babies can be scanned just before a feed. Water is fine.

A comfortably full bladder. Your child can eat as normal; a drink of water before arriving helps fill the bladder.

A comfortably full bladder. Two or three glasses of water in the hour before, and no wee until after the scan.

No preparation needed. Your child can eat and drink as normal.

No preparation needed. Your child can eat and drink as normal.

No preparation needed. Your child can eat and drink as normal.

No preparation needed. Your child can eat and drink as normal.

No preparation needed. Your child can eat and drink as normal.

No preparation needed. Your child can eat and drink as normal.

No preparation needed. Your child can eat and drink as normal.

No preparation needed. Your child can eat and drink as normal.

No preparation needed. Your child can eat and drink as normal.

No preparation needed. Your child can eat and drink as normal.

No preparation needed. Your child can eat and drink as normal.

No preparation needed. Your child can eat and drink as normal.

No preparation needed. Your child can eat and drink as normal.