• To minimize bowl gas, the study should be done early in the day. The patient should have no food by mouth for 8 hours prior to the procedure when possible. However, consideration should be given to patients who need to eat i.e., diabetics. The patient should not chew gum or smoke the morning of the exam as this may increase swallowing of air.
• Before beginning the exam, the patient should drink a minimum of 24 oz. of water to achieve a full bladder. This is essential for the evaluation of the fundus of the uterus, uterine, and parauterine veins. After completion of this evaluation, the patient should be allowed to empty their bladder to allow for patient comfort.