An ultrasound scan uses sound waves outside the range human hearing to generate an image. There is no evidence after 50 years of use that ultrasound causes any harm to the fetus. We do however recommend that you only get scans done for a good medical reason.

Your Scan will be done by a female sonographer with assistance from the doctor if needed.

There are two basic types of scans that are done. Transabdominal and Transvaginal.

Transabdominal: This scan involves the placement of the probe on your abdomen with a small amount of gel. The probe needs to be applied firmly to ensure a good image. This is not usually painful but may produce some discomfort. If pain occurs let the sonographer know immediately.

Transvaginal: This scan involves the use of a sterile probe covered with a single use disposable cover and sterile gel for lubrication. This is then gently inserted into the vagina. This is less uncomfortable than a pap smear and no pain relief is usually required for this procedure. Your privacy is respected and utmost care is taken to minimise discomfort. You will be given an examination gown during this scan. This scan is performed because the sound waves have less skin, fat and muscle to travel through enabling more detailed pictures to be taken. For instance a transabdominal scan may miss an early pregnancy. It may also be done because the probe is at a better angle to take some of the pictures required.

You do have a choice about whether or not to have this procedure. Please discuss and concerns or issues you have with the Doctor or Sonographer before the scan begins. This scan is not normally performed on children at Tara.

Yes. The bladder acts like a balloon and pushes the uterus closer to the ultrasound probe. The less distance the sound waves travel the better the picture. We ask you to drink 2 glasses of water (500 ml) 1 hour prior to your appointment and not to empty your bladder again. If you are feeling very full and need to go then we recommend that you try and empty enough to make yourself comfortable then drink another glass of water afterwards. Please do not torture yourself. This may not be necessary in late pregnancy.

Yes. The referral may be from a Specialist, GP or antenatal clinic. It does not need to be on our referral form.

Every woman will be provided with printed images before they leave the surgery.

All images can be provided digitally by email request.

They are FREE with any medical scan although there is a small additional fee for the USB (4D). We aim to give you good quality 3D/4D pictures, however, our main focus is to ensure that your baby is growing and developing normally. This usually means that the 3D/4D scan is only done as part of the medical examination. We do not however do 3D/4D scans without referral for a medical scan or for entertainment.

All images can be provided digitally for free by email request.

Every parent wants to see their baby. This is normal. A 3D/4D scan on its own is of limited diagnostic value. There are certain conditions like cleft lip/palate, limb/digit abnormalities that can be assessed using a 3D/4D scan. This is why we do not believe in doing the 3D/4D scan without a through medical scan to ensure that your baby is growing and developing normally. While we are doing a thorough medical checkup of your baby you have the opportunity to marvel at the pictures on the TV and bond with your baby. You will leave the surgery with some pictures of your baby reassured in the knowledge of your baby is progressing normally. We are not going to just give you the pretty pictures of your baby without checking that everything is progressing normally.

Congratulations on your pregnancy. Generally most women Nuchal Translucency Test (12 - 14 weeks) or Early Morphology with NIPT to screen for Down's syndrome and a Morphology scan (18 - 20) weeks to check the baby is developing normally. Your doctor may also request a dating scan (5 - 16 weeks) or a growth scan (23 - 42) if they feel it is required. Most growth scans are performed around 28 – 30 weeks. In some cases it is necessary to have a growth scan every 2 weeks to monitor the baby.

If the scan finds a problem the Doctor on site will explain the findings and discuss available options. The Doctor will then ring your referring doctor to discuss the findings. We will not let you leave the surgery without explaining to you what we have found. We believe that our job is to reduce your anxiety levels which is why we do not like making our patients wait for there results.

Yes.

Every patient has a consultation with the onsite Specialist Obstetrician and Gynaecologist. This along with our compassionate care sets us apart from other imaging services.

The service we offer at TARA is personal, professional and thorough, with providing specialist obstetric and gynaecologic imaging. Our specialist Obstetrician and Gynaecologist is on site at all times. We also take time and care with every scan. Because of this level of service, we are unable to offer bulk billing. We have made every effort to keep our costs low without compromising our quality. This has resulted in us having a lower price structure (our fees are significantly lower than the AMA recommended fee) compared to similar specialist medical imaging centres.

Most scans take around 30 to 60 minutes. You will be in the surgery for around an hour from start to finish. Having relaxed appointment times allows us to deliver a compassionate, detailed service that is unique to TARA.

We try to supply you with a report at the same time you talk to the doctor. If the scan is complicated however it can take longer. In this case the doctor will talk to you about what has been found and it will be completed as soon as possible.

We will email the report to you if you wish to have a copy. All of our reports are faxed and posted to the referring doctor automatically.

Our philosophy we work in the dark but not in isolation! We will ensure that your referring Doctor or Midwife gets the report promptly, so your care is not compromised.

At the 19-20 weeks scan the sex of the baby can normally be determined providing the baby is not too shy! You will be asked if you wish to know the sex of the baby. Whilst every effort will be made not to tell you the sex if requested sometimes a quick glance at the TV screen may reveal your proud baby showing it all! We do no do gender reveal scans on their own.

Generally we run on time but it is not possible for us to predict how long every scan will take. We allow extra time so that it is possible to catch up if a scan takes longer than expected. We do ask that you ring us if you are concerned about the possibility we are running late. The reasons we may be running late include a baby being in an awkward position for the scan, a complicated pelvic scan or a patient running late for an appointment. Whatever the problem we will take the time needed to do the scan thoroughly.

There is car parking available off Tyler St. This is stacked parking. The first row is for staff. The second is for patients

There is also usually plenty of on street parking in Beverley and Tyler streets. Because of our location parking next to the surgery is not usually an issue.