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Transvaginal ultrasound How the Test is Performed:
You will be lying down on a table. A conducting paste will be used to help with the sound transmission. The transducer is placed in your vagina and moved around. Pictures are taken of the reflections.
How to Prepare:
You may need to drink 3 to 4 glasses of liquid 1 hour before the test. One may not void before the examination.
Children:
The physical and psychological preparation you can provide for this or any test or procedure depends on your child's age, interests, previous experience, and level of trust. For specific information regarding how you can prepare your child, see the following topics as they correspond to your child's age:
How it Feels:
There is some (minimal) discomfort.
Risks:
There are no documented risks with ultrasound .
Why this Test is Performed:
The transvaginal ultrasound helps identify patients at risk of having the cervix open during the pregnancy resulting in a miscarriage . It may also detect ectopic pregnancy , small amniotic sacs, a hydatidiform mole (a mass resulting from an abundance of the cells which form the placenta), and an absence of the fetal heartbeat early in a pregnancy.
Normal Values:
The structures and fetus are normal.
Abnormal Results:
The test may detect ectopic pregnancy , hydatidiform mole , smaller-than-normal amniotic sacs, an absence of the fetal heartbeat, and identify patients who are at risk of having the cervix open during the pregnancy , which results in a miscarriage .
Additional conditions under which the test may be performed:
Cost:
The estimated cost is $100.
Special Considerations:
Not applicable.
The ultrasound has become a standard procedure used during pregnancy. It can demonstrate fetal growth and can detect increasing numbers of conditions including meningomyelocele, congenital heart disease, kidney abnormalities, hydrocephalus, anencephaly, club feet, and other deformities. Ultrasound does not produce ionizing radiation and is considered a very safe procedure for both the mother and the fetus.
This is an illustration of the female reproductive system. Both internal and external views are shown here.
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