How to Prepare for Your Ultrasound

Abdomen
Including: Pancreas, Kidneys, Gall Bladder, Spleen, Aorta and Liver

• Requires fasting.

• Do not eat or drink for 8 hours prior to your ultrasound appointment.

Pelvic & Obstetrical
Including: Ovaries, Bladder/KUB, Uterus, G.U. Tract, and Pregnancy

• Requires a full bladder at the time examination.

• Drink at least 4 cups of water ( 1 Liter ) one hour before your scheduled appointment.

• Do not go to the washroom prior to your examination as full bladder is required. If you have any discomfort please let the front desk staff or the technologist know so they may advise you accordingly.

Pelvic and Abdomen (Both)

• Requires both fasting for 8 hours and a full bladder.

• Fast for 8 hours and finish drinking 4 cups of water one hour before your scheduled appointment.

• Do not go to the washroom prior to your examination.

Prostate

• Finish drinking 4 glasses (1Litre) of water 1 hour before your appointment time. Do not empty your bladder. You must have a full bladder for this examination. 

Transrectal

• Pick up a fleet enema at a pharmacy and use it according to the package instructions, 2 hours before your examination. 

How to Prepare for Your Mammogram

• Don’t use deodorant, antiperspirant, body lotion or talcum powder under the arms or on the breasts before mammography. These products can interfere with the accuracy of the x-ray.

• Wear clothing that is easy to remove from the waist up.

• Remove necklaces and other jewelry that might get in the way during the test.

• Before getting any type of imaging test, tell the technologist if you’re breastfeeding or if you think you might be pregnant.

• If you’re worried about discomfort during the test (optional):

  • Try to avoid having mammography in the week before your menstrual period begins. Your breasts may be tender during this time.

  • Talk to your doctor about taking a mild pain medicine about an hour before your test.

  *Preparation guidelines taken from Canadian Cancer Society. You can visit their webpage to learn more about your examination.

How to Prepare for Your BMD

Avoid taking any vitamin or calcium supplements 24 hours prior to your bone density test. If you have had a barium study or a nuclear medicine injection within the past 14 days of your BMD appointment, please inform the front desk. In this case, your test would have to be rescheduled.