Astra Radiology, Auckland offers state-of-the-art ultrasound technology. Ultrasound scans are widely-used during pregnancy, and in the imaging of soft tissue organs.
We believe our machines are currently the best in the world, and include all the very latest ultrasound technology. The scans are performed by a sonographer, directly supervised by a radiologist, or by a specialist radiologist or obstetrician trained in the use of ultrasound.
An ultrasound scan is a diagnostic imaging procedure used to assess soft tissue structures such as muscles, blood vessels, and organs.
Ultrasound uses a transducer that sends out ultrasonic sound waves at a frequency too high to be heard. When the transducer is placed at certain locations and angles, the ultrasonic sound waves move through the skin and other body tissues to the organs and structures within. The sound waves bounce off the organs like an echo and return to the transducer. The transducer picks up the reflected waves, which are then converted by a computer into an electronic picture of the organs or tissues under study.
Different types of body tissues affect the speed at which sound waves travel. Sound travels the fastest through bone tissue, and moves most slowly through air. The speed at which the sound waves are returned to the transducer, as well as how much of the sound wave returns, is translated by the transducer as different types of tissue.
Ultrasound is used to view internal organs as they function (in ‘real time’), and to assess blood flow through various vessels. Ultrasound procedures are often used to examine many parts of the body such as the abdomen, breasts, female pelvis, prostate, scrotum, thyroid and parathyroid glands, and the vascular system. During pregnancy, ultrasounds are performed to evaluate the development of the fetus.
Technological advancements in the field of ultrasound now include images that can be made in a three-dimensional view and/or four-dimensional view. The added dimension of the 4D is motion, so that it is a 3D view with movement. 4D ultrasound is predominantly used in obstetric scanning and can be used to enhance visualization of fetal abnormalities, picked up by conventional imaging, such as cleft lip, so that parents can recognize what the doctors are describing.
Different ultrasound techniques exist for different conditions. Examples of some of the more common types of ultrasound examinations include the following:
There is different preparation for each ultrasound depending on the type of scan you are having:
Morning Appointments:
A clear gel is placed between the transducer and the skin to allow for smooth movement of the transducer over the skin and to eliminate air between the skin and the transducer for the best sound conduction. The transducer is moved across the skin and is placed at different angles to obtain images of the area of interest. These images are saved onto a DVD.
There are no confirmed adverse biological effects on patients or sonographers caused by exposure to ultrasound.
General & obstetric ultrasound is available at these branches:
Obstetric & Pelvic (Gynae) ultrasound only:
Astra Radiology, Auckland offers the full range of general ultrasound scans. Ultrasound can be viewed in 2D, 3D and 4D depending on what is being scanned.
Our state-of-the-art equipment and highly-trained staff mean we can provide our clients with a very high standard examination in all of these areas. Many radiologists sub-specialise within their field and all of our specialists also work within the public health system. Because of this, they have a wealth of experience in their own areas. Our booking staff are experienced in making appointments with the best specialist to be involved in the study.
To download a printable pdf about ultrasound, please click here.
To make an appointment for an ultrasound, please call our booking specialist on (09) 520 9550 and select ‘Ultrasound’ from the menu or email them at us@ascotradiology.co.nz
Alternatively, you can go to our ‘Request a Scan’ page and fill in the form.
At Astra Radiology, Auckland, we specialise in interventional ultrasound procedures, such as biopsies, aspirations and joint injections.
It is very commonplace today to use radiology for interventional procedures to avoid surgery. We are very fortunate to have a highly experienced team of interventional radiologists and other highly skilled specialists working at Astra Radiology to perform the following procedures:
To start the booking process for any one of these examinations, please email a copy of your referral to our ultrasound booking specialist at: us@ascotrad.co.nz or call them on (09) 520 9550 and follow the prompts for ‘Ultrasound’ from the menu.
Once your referral has been received, they will be in touch to discuss scheduling your appointment.
There are also information sheets for you to download at the top of this page.
The prenatal screening programme for Down Syndrome and other conditions has been in place in New Zealand since 2007. The combination of clinical factors, serum levels (Papp-A and bHCG) and nuchal translucency scanning gives women in the first trimester of pregnancy a high quality risk result.
In New Zealand, women are offered screening with a combination of an ultrasound scan (nuchal translucency) and a blood test to assess the risk of the fetus having Down Syndrome (Trisomy 21).
Women who have had a high risk result with this screening may wish to have a CVS or amniocentesis to determine whether the fetus has this genetic abnormality. Some women may not have a high risk of genetic abnormality but wish to have one of these procedures for reassurance.
No special preparation is required for a CVS. A full bladder is not usually necessary for the scan except when the uterus is tipped well back into the pelvis. Sometimes there is some discomfort after the procedure, so it is a good idea to have your partner or a support person to drive you home.
During the procedure, an ultrasound scan is performed to determine the position of the placenta. Sometimes the procedure cannot be performed, usually when the placenta is not easily accessible. In this case, an amniocentesis will be recommended at 15 weeks.
After scanning, the skin is cleaned with a sterile solution and sterile sheet placed over the abdomen. Local anaesthetic is injected into the skin and muscle of the abdominal wall to numb the tissues. A very fine needle is then inserted through the abdominal wall into the uterus using ultrasound as a guide. A syringe is attached to the needle and, using suction, placental cells are then withdrawn and the needle is removed. The procedure only takes 2-5 minutes. This procedure is mildly uncomfortable, similar to having a blood test.
After the procedure:
Limitations of procedure:
This test will not diagnose many abnormalities e.g. cleft lip and palate, spina bifida and cystic fibrosis. Careful scanning will be used to screen for structural abnormalities and an anatomy scan at 18-20 weeks is recommended.
This is a procedure where a small amount of the fluid surrounding the fetus in the uterus (amniotic fluid) is withdrawn via a needle under ultrasound guidance. It is then sent to the laboratory for testing. This is usually performed around the 15th week of pregnancy.
There is no special preparation is required for an amniocentesis. Sometimes there is some discomfort after the procedure, so it is a good idea to have your partner or a support person to drive you home.
During the procedure, an ultrasound scan is performed to check on the baby’s age and to choose a site for amniocentesis. After scanning, the skin is cleaned with a sterile solution and sterile sheet placed over the abdomen. A very fine needle is then inserted through the abdominal wall into the uterus using ultrasound as a guide. A syringe is attached to the needle and a small amount of amniotic fluid is then withdrawn. The procedure only takes 1-2 minutes. This is mildly uncomfortable, similar to having a blood test.
After the procedure:
Limitations of the procedure:
This test will not diagnose many abnormalities e.g. cleft lip and palate, spina bifida and cystic fibrosis. Careful scanning will be used to screen for structural abnormalities and an anatomy scan at 18-20 weeks is recommended.
To book an appointment, please call our nurse on (09) 520 9550 ext 7090, or email her at nurse@ascotradiology.co.nz
Further information, including the testing process, will be given at the time of booking.
To download a general information sheet for both procedures, click the link at the top of this page.
At Astra Radiology, Auckland, we specialise in pregnancy ultrasound. We are also accredited by the Fetal Medicine Foundation screening programme to perform Nuchal scans.
We are lucky enough to have many experts in the field of obstetrics and gynaecology working in conjunction with highly trained and experienced sonographers. We aim to provide expert scanning and counselling through all stages of your pregnancy.
This scan is a screening test for Down Syndrome and other chromosomal abnormalities. The nuchal fold is a measurement of the skin thickness behind the baby’s neck and the best time to have this scan is from 12 weeks until 13 1/2 weeks gestation as this increases the accuracy.
We are accredited in use the world-renowned and respected Fetal Medicine Foundation screening programme from London. All of our sonographers and reporting radiologists have been extensively trained and examined in nuchal measurements to gain accreditation.
The nuchal measurements are combined with results from your blood test to get an adjusted chance of having a baby with Down Syndrome. The adjusted chance often helps couples decide about proceeding with further tests such as a Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS) or an amniocentesis. These tests, while more invasive, do give an absolute answer with regard to your baby’s chromosomes, you will need to have another test. For further information on both of these procedures, please go to the Prenatal Testing page.
At 19 to 21 weeks gestation a more thorough assessment of your baby can be carried out via ultrasound. During this scan measurements are taken to check dates and growth, to check the position of the placenta and to make a detailed examination of the baby’s anatomy.
For more information on this scan, download the brochure on this page.
Although we do sometimes add one or two 3D images at the end of the medical component of the scan, we will only attempt this if time allows and if the baby is lying in a good position.
4D ultrasound takes many conventional 2D images, creates a surface rendered 3D image, and adds time to the process. As with conventional 2D imaging, baby’s position, maternal size and the amount of amniotic fluid play a vital role in the quality of the picture. 26 to 32 weeks is the ideal time for scanning as there is more amniotic fluid and the baby has developed some soft tissue about the face.
A detailed scan of the fetal heart is done at 25-28 weeks for a suspected heart abnormality.
These scans include Doppler, biophysical profiles, and growth scans.
Due to the high demand for obstetric scans at Astra Radiology, we have had to put some restrictions in place in order to maintain our usual high standards of service to our regular obstetric referrers and patients.
As such, we are only offering 3rd trimester scans to those patients who have had all their previous scans with us for this pregnancy. To be sure this scan is of optimal quality, we require patients to have had their anatomy (19-20 week) scan with us. Unfortunately, we do not have the capacity to take on any new patients in their 3rd trimester.
We apologise for these restrictions, but we are committed to giving the best obstetric service we can to our loyal specialists, midwives and patients.
From approximately 12 weeks onwards you will have the choice of paying for scans individually, or purchasing the Pregnancy Ultrasound (PUP) Package. The PUP package includes the nuchal scan, anatomy scan & growth scan/s that are referred by your LMC.
Please check with the ultrasound booking specialist for a current price list when you make your appointment.
At Astra Radiology, we’re always looking at ways to provide our patients with the best possible service and we realised there was a need for a more user-friendly way for obstetric patients to access their images. We have partnered with ‘The Stork’ to offer you direct, online access to your obstetric imaging.
The Stork is a cloud-based app, making it easy to view your images from any device, while also maintaining your privacy.
Once a scan is completed, the patient is sent a link and an access code via email or SMS. They then simply follow the link, enter their code and view their images on their phone, tablet or computer.
Astra Radiology continues to store all the original, high resolution ultrasound images and these are available for referrers to access at any time.
To find out more, please go to www.thestork.io or click here to download one of our brochures.
Please be aware that it is prohibited to use a camera or mobile phone for the purpose of taking photos or recordings in the ultrasound room during the scan. We thank you for your cooperation.
To make an appointment for an ultrasound, please call our booking specialist on (09) 520 9550 and select ‘Ultrasound’ from the menu or email them at us@astraradiology.co.nz
Alternatively, you can go to our ‘Request a Scan’ page and fill in the form.
Obstetric ultrasound is available at our following branches:
Astra Radiology
For all appointments, or to enquire about an existing appointment, please phone
