Private Child Pelvic Ultrasound

A child pelvic ultrasound is a gentle, common way to find out what is happening inside your child’s lower tummy. Your GP or paediatrician may suggest one if your child has pelvic or lower-abdominal pain, a lump or swelling that can be felt, or problems passing urine.

In girls, the scan is also used to look into early puberty (precocious puberty) or delayed puberty, period problems in adolescents, and possible ovarian cysts. It is a calm, painless first step that often brings reassurance very quickly.

A child pelvic ultrasound looks gently at the organs in the lower tummy. In every child it assesses:

• The bladder, including how well it fills and empties.

In girls, it also looks at:

• The uterus (womb), its size and the lining.
• The ovaries and whether any cysts are present.
• Changes that help explain early or delayed puberty.
• Possible reasons for period problems in adolescents.

The scan does not involve any internal examination in children. It simply gives your specialist a clear picture so that, in most cases, you can be reassured straight away.

No. A pelvic ultrasound is painless and easily tolerated by children. There are no needles, no injections and no radiation. The sonographer simply moves a smooth, hand-held probe gently over the surface of your child’s tummy after applying a little warm gel.

You will be able to stay with your child throughout, and the sonographer will explain each step in simple, understandable terms.

If your child becomes anxious at any point, we can pause and take things at their pace. Their comfort is always our priority.

A child pelvic ultrasound uses safe, pain-free sound waves to create live pictures of the organs in the lower tummy. There are no needles, no radiation and no contrast injection.

In children the scan is always performed transabdominally, which means gently over the surface of the tummy with a little warm gel. A transvaginal scan is never used in children. This is the single most important difference from an adult pelvic ultrasound, and it is why a comfortably full bladder is helpful.

Your child simply lies back on a comfortable couch while the sonographer moves a smooth probe over the lower tummy. The whole scan usually takes around fifteen to twenty minutes, and you are with your child the entire time.

For the clearest pictures your child needs a comfortably full bladder, as this gently lifts the bowel out of the way and lets the bladder, womb and ovaries show up well.

As a guide, ask your child to drink water in the hour before the appointment and to try not to go to the toilet just before arriving:

• Younger children: a few cups of water or a usual drink, started about an hour before
• Older children and teenagers: around two to three large glasses of water in the hour before

There is no need to fast, and your child can take any regular medication as normal. If your child finds a full bladder uncomfortable, let our team know on arrival and we will help. Bringing a favourite toy or comfort item can also make the visit easier.

Yes, a pelvic ultrasound is completely safe for children. It uses harmless sound waves, exactly like the scans used to check babies during pregnancy, so there is no radiation and no known risk.

The scan is non-invasive and painless. There are no needles, no injections and nothing taken internally. Your child can return to normal activities straight afterwards.

Because it is so safe, ultrasound is usually the very first test doctors choose when they need to look inside a child’s tummy or pelvis.

You shouldn’t have to wait for important answers about your baby’s health. That’s why, at the Harley Street Ultrasound Group, we give you same-day results.

Your specialist senior sonographer will talk you through what they can see during the scan itself, so you leave the room with an understanding of your child's findings. Your full medical report with tailored advice and any recommended next steps will be ready the same day, along with high-resolution digital images of the scan.

You can view and share both the report and the images securely from any internet-connected device, including your phone, and forward them directly to your GP, health visitor or a paediatric specialist.

Most child pelvic ultrasounds are reassuring, and many findings are a normal part of growing up:

• Small ovarian cysts: in girls, small fluid-filled cysts on the ovaries are common and very often harmless. Many appear naturally and settle on their own without any treatment.
• Normal puberty changes: the womb and ovaries gradually change in size and appearance as a girl approaches puberty. The scan can confirm these changes are following an expected pattern.
• A full or active bladder: the scan checks how the bladder fills and empties, which can help explain urinary symptoms.

If something needs a closer look, your specialist will explain it calmly and clearly, and tell you exactly what it means and what, if anything, happens next.

In most cases the scan is reassuring and no further action is needed beyond the advice in your report. Sometimes, though, your specialist may suggest a simple next step.

This might include a repeat scan in a few weeks to check that a cyst has settled, or a referral to a paediatrician or paediatric gynaecologist if findings around puberty, periods or a larger cyst would benefit from specialist input.

Whatever the result, you will leave with a clear plan. Our goal is always to make sure you understand what was found and feel confident about what happens next.

A little gentle preparation goes a long way. It helps to explain the scan in simple, positive words: 'a friendly person will put some warm jelly on their tummy and use a special camera to take pictures from the outside, which does not hurt at all.'

A few things that help on the day:

• Tell your child you will be right beside them the whole time.
• Bring a favourite toy, book, tablet or comfort item.
• Reassure them there are no needles and nothing that stings.
• Let them know they can watch the pictures on the screen

Our sonographers are very experienced with children and are happy to take everything at your child’s pace.

A Private Child Pelvic Ultrasound at the Harley Street Ultrasound Group is £350, all fees inclusive.

What’s included in the price:

• One-to-one appointment with a specialist senior sonographer experienced with children.
• A gentle, transabdominal pelvic scan, never transvaginal in children.
• A detailed written medical report with tailored advice.
• Same-day high-resolution digital images delivered to your secure portal.
• No referral required and no waiting list, with most families seen within 24 to 48 hours.

We accept self-pay and most major UK private health insurers. If you have insurance, please contact your provider before booking to confirm your policy covers a private child pelvic ultrasound, and our team is happy to provide any details they need.

Many parents worry that coming to us privately will somehow affect their baby’s NHS care. That simply is not the case.

Our goal is to give you answers as quickly as possible and get your baby on the right path fast. When you come to us, your child is seen by a qualified specialist who can investigate their symptoms the same day. If your child needs further care, our specialist will write to your NHS GP advising them, and your report and images can be shared securely with any NHS paediatric team.

We don’t want you waiting weeks for answers. Your child’s health and your peace of mind is priceless.