Ultrasounds at Midwest Express Clinic
Your health and convenience are our top priority. We are thrilled to announce that select offices now offer ultrasound services. Ultrasound, also known as sonography, is a safe and effective diagnostic tool that allows our physicians to visualize internal structures, aiding in accurate diagnoses and treatments.
Understanding Ultrasound
Ultrasound employs high-frequency sound waves to create images of specific organs or structures within your body. A handheld device called a transducer is gently placed on your skin over the area of interest. These sound waves travel through soft tissue and fluids, bouncing back when they encounter denser surfaces, forming real-time images on a screen. Unlike X-rays, ultrasounds do not expose you to radiation, making them a safe option.
Diagnostic Ultrasounds at Midwest Express Clinic
Our dedicated medical staff offers a range of diagnostic ultrasound services, including:
- Abdominal Exams: Assessing kidneys, gallbladders, livers, spleens, pancreas, and the aorta/IVC.
- Thyroid Exams: Evaluating hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, neck masses, goiters, thyroid disease, nodules, and cysts.
- Obstetric Exams: Confirming pregnancies, assessing first, second, and third trimesters, determining size and dates, and using fetal dopplers.
- Gynecological Exams: Covering pelvic, trans-abdominal, trans-vaginal ultrasounds, and addressing issues like fibroids, IUD placement checks, irregular cycles, heavy bleeding, menorrhagia, ovarian cysts, and polyps.
- Vascular Studies: Exploring venous/DVT, arteries, carotid, and aortic aneurysms.
Please note that we do not offer echo ultrasounds at this time. We apologize for any inconvenience.
You must have an order from a physician to receive diagnostic ultrasound services at Midwest Express Clinic. If you need an order, you may visit a Midwest Express Clinic provider to obtain one.
Preparing For Your Ultrasound
To ensure the effectiveness of your ultrasound, please follow these guidelines:
Pelvis
- Maintain a full bladder for the exam. Drink one liter of water or other clear, non-carbonated drinks starting two hours before your appointment, finishing one hour before.
- Do not empty your bladder. If you have a catheter, clamp it off before drinking. You may eat and take your medications.
Abdomen & Pelvis
- Do not eat for six hours before your exam. If you are diabetic, you can have juice (if needed). Maintain a full bladder by drinking 28 ounces of water or other clear, non-carbonated drinks, starting two hours before your appointment, finishing one hour before. Do not empty your bladder.
1st Trimester Pregnancy
- Maintain a full bladder. Drink 28 ounces of water or other clear, non-carbonated drinks, starting two hours before your appointment, finishing one hour before. Do not empty your bladder. You may eat and take your medications normally.
2nd or 3rd Trimester Pregnancy
- Keep your bladder full. Drink 28 ounces of water or other clear, non-carbonated drinks, starting two hours before your appointment, finishing one hour before. Do not empty your bladder. You may eat and take your medications normally.
Gender Reveals
- Gender reveals are non-diagnostic ultrasounds to determine the fetus’s gender, available starting at 16 weeks gestation. One hour before the exam, consume 26-28 ounces of fluid.
- Four 2D digital images will be provided on a USB drive; printed photos are not available.
- If you prefer not to know the gender during the exam, you may receive the results in an envelope. For a diagnostic dating ultrasound, you may see a provider for an order.
Any Other Ultrasound Studies
- No special preparation is required. You can eat, drink, and take medications as usual.
Contact one of our ultrasound locations today for an appointment. We accept most major insurances, and we also offer affordable self-pay rates if necessary.
Please note that OB/GYN ultrasounds for evaluating pregnancies may not be covered by insurance. Reach out to your insurance carrier to understand your plan’s coverage.
Elective Ultrasound Services
In addition to diagnostic ultrasounds, we offer non-diagnostic, elective ultrasounds, including gender reveals and 3D/4D ultrasounds. Learn more about these services and find a suitable location by visiting the respective web pages.
Ultrasounds are available at these locations:
Please schedule an appointment for your ultrasound by calling or completing the form below. Our ultrasound services are available at the following locations:
Have an ultrasound order from another facility?
We’re here to help! Email or text your ultrasound order and we will call you to set up an appointment. Contact information can be found below.
Email: [email protected]
Phone/text: 312-544-9317
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an ultrasound, and how does it work?
An ultrasound is a safe imaging procedure that uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of specific organs or structures in the body. A transducer device is placed on the skin over the area to be examined. Sound waves pass through soft tissue and fluids, bouncing back when they encounter denser surfaces, forming real-time images on a screen. Unlike X-rays, ultrasounds do not expose you to radiation.
What types of diagnostic ultrasounds are offered at Midwest Express Clinic?
We provide a range of diagnostic ultrasounds, including:
- Abdominal exams (for kidneys, gallbladders, livers, spleens, pancreas, and the aorta/IVC)
- Thyroid exams (for conditions like hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, neck masses, goiters, thyroid disease, nodules, and cysts)
- Obstetric exams (including pregnancy confirmation, first, second, and third-trimester assessments, size and date evaluations, and fetal dopplers)
- Gynecological exams (covering pelvic, trans-abdominal, trans-vaginal ultrasounds, and addressing issues like fibroids, IUD placement checks, irregular cycles, heavy bleeding, menorrhagia, ovarian cysts, and polyps)
- Vascular studies (for venous/DVT, arteries, carotid, and aortic aneurysms)
Are echo ultrasounds available at Midwest Express Clinic?
We do not currently offer echo ultrasounds. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Do I need a physician's order for a diagnostic ultrasound?
Yes, you must have an order from a physician to receive diagnostic ultrasound services at Midwest Express Clinic. If you require an order, you can visit one of our providers at Midwest Express Clinic to obtain it.
What are elective ultrasound services, and what options are available?
Elective ultrasounds are non-diagnostic and include gender reveals and 3D/4D ultrasounds. Gender reveals are available starting at 16 weeks gestation. You can learn more about these services and find a suitable location by visiting the respective web pages.
Which clinics offer ultrasound services at Midwest Express Clinic?
Our ultrasound services are available at the following locations:
- Indiana Clinics: Crown Point, Munster
- Illinois Clinics: Melrose Park, Mt. Greenwood, Roscoe Village, West Loop
What should I do to prepare for my ultrasound appointment?
Preparation guidelines vary depending on the type of ultrasound:
- Pelvis: Maintain a full bladder. Drink one liter of water or other clear, non-carbonated drinks, starting two hours before your appointment, finishing one hour before. Do not empty your bladder.
- Abdomen & Pelvis: Do not eat for six hours before your exam. If you are diabetic, you can have juice if needed. Maintain a full bladder by drinking 28 ounces of water or other clear, non-carbonated drinks, starting two hours before your appointment, finishing one hour before. Do not empty your bladder.
- 1st Trimester Pregnancy: Keep your bladder full. Drink 28 ounces of water or other clear, non-carbonated drinks, starting two hours before your appointment, finishing one hour before. Do not empty your bladder. You may eat and take your medications normally.
- 2nd or 3rd Trimester Pregnancy: Maintain a full bladder. Drink 28 ounces of water or other clear, non-carbonated drinks, starting two hours before your appointment, finishing one hour before. Do not empty your bladder. You may eat and take your medications normally.
- Gender Reveals: Gender reveals are non-diagnostic ultrasounds to determine the gender of the fetus, available starting at 16 weeks gestation. One hour before the exam, consume 26-28 ounces of fluid. Four 2D digital images will be provided on a USB drive; printed photos are not available.
- Biophysical Profile: Within 30 minutes of your exam, drink sweetened juice or soda. You may eat and take your medications normally.
Any Other Ultrasound Studies: No special preparation is required. You can eat, drink, and take medications as usual.
How can I schedule an ultrasound appointment at Midwest Express Clinic?
To schedule an ultrasound appointment, please call or complete the appointment request form on our website.
What payment options are available for ultrasound services?
We accept most major insurances for ultrasound services. Additionally, we offer affordable self-pay rates if necessary. Please note that OB/GYN ultrasounds for evaluating pregnancies may not be covered by insurance. We recommend reaching out to your insurance carrier to understand your plan’s coverage.