What is saline infusion

Several images of the uterus will be taken during the procedure. Pictures of the ovaries may also be taken. After the procedure the patient may continue to have mild cramping for a few hours. The patient may also experience light spotting or watery discharge for as long as 24 hours after the procedure. The patient should refrain from intercourse for approximately 48 hours. If you are using a tampon, it will need to be removed.

You can still have the scan if the period is just finishing and bleeding is light. An SIS scan cannot be carried out if you are pregnant or if you have a pelvic inflammatory disease.

You must advise your referring doctor or staff where you are having the scan if you have either of these conditions. It is a good idea to wear comfortable clothing that gives easy access to the lower part of your body.

After emptying your bladder, you will be asked to undress from the waist down and you may be asked to wear a gown. You will then be asked to lie on an examination bed. A routine pelvic and transvaginal ultrasound may be carried out before the SIS see InsideRadiology: Transvaginal ultrasound. A speculum an instrument used to hold open the vagina so that it can be examined is then inserted into the vagina. A soft catheter a thin plastic tube is gently inserted through the speculum and into the uterus through the cervix the neck of the uterus.

The speculum is then removed while the catheter still remains in the uterus, and a transvaginal ultrasound transducer is inserted into the vagina. The transducer is slightly larger than a tampon and especially shaped to fit comfortably into the vagina. A protective sterile probe cover is placed over the transducer and lubricating gel is applied to it for ease of insertion. A small amount of saline salt solution is inserted through the catheter into the uterine cavity.

During and after the saline injection, the transducer is then gently moved around while images of the inside of the uterus are taken. The saline fluid within the uterus allows the lining of the uterus to be imaged clearly on the ultrasound screen and shows any endometrial abnormality. After the scan, there is a small trickle of fluid from the vagina. This is the saline fluid that was inserted through the catheter coming out. It is commonly slightly blood stained and this may continue for 24 hours.

It starts with a normal ultrasound using a vaginal probe to assess your uterus, ovaries and pelvis. This is followed by a doctor inserting a small tube into your uterus. The tube is very small around 1mm width however it is possible to get some crampy period like pain during insertion. For this reason we ask patients to take an anti-inflammatory tablet such as two ibuprofen 1 hour before the procedure. It involves the placement of a small catheter into the uterus and the inflation of the uterus with one ounce of sterile fluid.

At the same time, a vaginal ultrasound is performed to visualize the inside of the uterus. For couples trying to conceive, ensuring an optimal uterine environment for the embryo to attach and grow is very important.

Many women have subtle abnormalities within the uterus that may make achieving pregnancy or maintaining pregnancy challenging. These abnormalities include congenital anom alies that women are born with, such as uterine septa.