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Preparation for pelvic ultrasound
Alexey Kryvenko, medical expert
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025

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Preparation for pelvic ultrasound
- Patient preparation. The bladder should be full. Give the patient 4-5 glasses of fluid, perform the examination after an hour (do not allow the patient to urinate). If necessary, the bladder can be filled through a urinary catheter with sterile saline: the introduction of fluid is stopped when the patient feels the urge to urinate. Avoid catheterization if possible due to the risk of infection.
- Patient position. The examination is usually performed with the patient lying on her back. It may be necessary to change the patient's position after traditional sections or to perform the examination in a standing position. Apply the gel randomly to the lower abdomen: there is usually no need to apply the gel to the pubic hair, but do so if necessary.
- Selecting a transducer: Use a 3.5 MHz transducer for adults and a 5 MHz transducer for children and thin adults.
- Adjusting the sensitivity of the device.
Place the sensor longitudinally on the bladder projection area and set the sensitivity level corresponding to the best visualization.