Private Saline Sonogram for Fertility and Uterine Assessment

At Welbeck, saline sonograms are carried out by a consultant radiologist or gynaecologist. To begin, you’ll need to remove your clothing from the waist down and cover yourself with a sheet, which we’ll provide. 

You can expect the following for a saline sonogram:

1. Once you’ve emptied your bladder, your consultant will ask you to lie back on the bed.

2. They’ll gently place a smooth, tube-shaped tool (a speculum) into your vagina to open it and see your cervix in detail. 

3. Your cervix and vagina will be cleaned with a sterile solution. 

4. A soft, flexible tube (thinner than the inside of a pen) is passed into the uterus via the cervix. 

5. The speculum is removed, and a slim ultrasound probe is inserted. 

6. While the consultant takes images of your uterus, they’ll gently inject a sterile liquid through the thin tube.

7. Once enough images have been recorded, the probe and the tube will be removed. 

After the procedure, the images will be examined, and a report will be compiled. Your consultant will use these results to develop a treatment plan, which they will discuss with you.

Please note that a saline sonogram does not include a full pelvic gynaecological assessment or test if tubes are open. For this, you will need a HyCoSy.

A saline sonogram is a very safe procedure with very few risks. You may feel some discomfort and cramping during and after it, but this should settle down quickly. There’s a small risk of pelvic infection, but this is very rare. You’ll be given antibiotics after your procedure to minimise the risk of infection.  

A saline sonogram is best performed when your period ends, between days 5 and 14 of your cycle. This is when the endometrium (the lining) is at its thinnest, which is considered the best time to fully assess the inside of your womb. When you make your appointment, let us know when this window in your cycle will be.

There’s no other specific preparation needed, but you must abstain from intercourse from the first day of your period until the day of your test.

You may want to wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing, such as a skirt or dress that you can lift up. This can make removing your clothing from the waist down feel less daunting. 

You’ll be able to go home right after your procedure and carry on with normal activities. The saline fluid will drain out of your uterus for a few hours, so it may help to bring a sanitary pad or pantyliner with you.

You might also have:

• cramping

• light spotting

• fluid leaking from your vagina

These are all normal symptoms. If you feel mild pain after the procedure, you can take painkillers and use a heat pad to ease discomfort.

See your doctor if:

• the pain is severe

• you have a fever

• there’s a change in the type or amount of your vaginal discharge

Please contact our Women’s Health centre for pricing information.

At Welbeck, our gynaecologists are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.

With access to colleagues across other specialties, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if required to ensure you receive the treatment you need as quickly as possible, all under one roof.  

All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.

To book a saline sonogram, you must be referred by either your GP or a gynaecologist following a consultation with them. Self-referrals are not accepted for this test.

If you would like to schedule a consultation with our specialists , please get in touch to make an appointment. Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.

Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.