Pregnancy scans · All six clinics
Obstetric ultrasound
At a glance
- Referral
- NeededBring it, upload a photo when you book, or ask your doctor to send it electronically
- Billing
- Varies by scanSome ultrasounds are not bulk billed, so we'll let you know when you book
- Preparation
- Full bladder early onFirst-trimester scans: 1 litre of water, finished 1 hour before
Overview
Watching your baby
grow.
Obstetric ultrasound uses sound waves to look at your baby during pregnancy. Like all ultrasound, it's safe and non-invasive, and it doesn't use ionising radiation.
What we can see changes as your pregnancy goes on. Here's what's happening at each stage.
Through your pregnancy
Three trimesters, three different views.
- (01)Up to 13 weeks
First trimester
Up to 13 weeks, your baby grows to as much as 7.5 cm long. The eyes, toes, joints and nerves are developing, along with the circulatory and digestive systems.
- (02)Rapid development
Second trimester
The skeletal, digestive, circulatory and nervous systems develop rapidly, and your baby grows up to 33 cm long. In the second trimester, 3D/4D ultrasound can help with the anatomical survey and the detection of any abnormalities.
- (03)Growth & position
Third trimester
Organs and nerves continue to develop fully, rapid weight gain begins, and most babies move into the head-down position for birth. 4D ultrasound is useful in the third trimester for looking at your baby's movement and biophysical profile.
Full bladder for early scans3D & 4D available
Preparation
Get ready for your pregnancy scan.
Early pregnancy scans need a full bladder, so timing your water matters. For later scans we'll let you know about any preparation when you book.
Choose your scan
Full bladder
First-trimester pregnancy
Your bladder needs to be full for an early pregnancy scan.
- 01
1½ hrs before
Empty your bladder.
- 02
Next 30 min
Drink 1 litre of water over the next half hour.
- 03
1 hr before
Be finished drinking 1 hour before your appointment time.
- 04
Until your scan
Don't go to the toilet. Hold on until after your scan.
As advised
Second & third trimester
Later pregnancy scans usually need less preparation.
- (01)
We'll give you any preparation instructions when you book your appointment.
For every scan
Wear loose, comfortable clothing and leave jewellery at home.
On the day
What happens on the day.
Step 1: Before you come
If you're in your first trimester, follow the full-bladder steps. Bring your referral and your Medicare card, and wear loose, comfortable clothing.
Step 2: Your scan
Your sonographer moves a small hand-held probe over your abdomen with a little gel to look at your baby.
Step 3: Your results
Your doctor can view your images online within minutes, and once our radiologist has reported, the results go straight to them. Book a follow-up with your doctor to talk through what they mean.
Good to know
Your questions,
answered.
(01)Can I go to the toilet before a first-trimester scan?
Please don't. Empty your bladder 1½ hours before your appointment, drink 1 litre of water over the next half hour, finish drinking 1 hour before your appointment time, then hold on until your scan.
(02)Do I need to prepare for a later pregnancy scan?
We'll let you know about any preparation when you book your appointment.
(03)Can I see my baby in 3D or 4D?
Yes. As well as pregnancy scans requested by your doctor, we offer elective 3D/4D baby scans. No referral is needed, and the best images usually come between 24 and 34 weeks.
(04)Which clinics offer pregnancy scans?
Ultrasound imaging is available at all our sites: Pakenham, Officer, Cranbourne, Traralgon, Rosebud and Koo Wee Rup.
(05)Is my pregnancy scan bulk billed?
Some ultrasounds are not bulk billed. Our team will let you know about any cost when you book.
You might
also need.
Not sure which scan you need? Your referral will say, or you can browse all our services.
Next step
Book your pregnancy scan.
Request a time online and upload a photo of your referral. Our team will call you back to confirm. Prefer to talk? Call your nearest clinic.