Where are your practices located?
Western Ultrasound for Women has medical centres conveniently located in West Leederville and Murdoch.
Street parking is available at West Leederville; alternatively opposite at St John of God’s Hospital in Subiaco. Paid parking available on-site at Murdoch next to Wexford Medical Centre.
Click here for exact locations.
Is finding parking difficult near your practices?
When you come for an obstetric or gynaecological scan at our West Leederville site, there is on street parking available on Cambridge St, McCourt St, and Joseph St.
Depending on the time of day it may be difficult to find parking, and you may need to allow extra time to find parking. Otherwise, you may choose to park at St John of God Hospital in Subiaco, which is just across the road from us.
At our Murdoch site, paid parking is available on the grounds of St John of God Hospital’s medical centre. A small parking area for the Wexford Medical Centre has now opened up on the East side of the Wexford building.
Note that the hospital is getting increasingly busy, and you may have to walk a little to get to our site at Wexford Medical Centre.
Do I need to bring a referral?
Yes, this is a legal requirement, and we will also ask you who your referring doctor is at time of booking. A clinical reason must be supplied on the referral as Western Ultrasound for Women is committed to ensuring that diagnostic imaging services are only undertaken where there is identified clinical need. A referral is required for you to obtain Medicare benefits.
Can I be bulk-billed?
Western Ultrasound for Women is a private provider of obstetric and gynecological imaging committed to ensuring that diagnostic imaging services are only undertaken where there is identified clinical need.
Our fees reflect the service, training, and dedication of our professional staff. While we are based in Western Australia, our service is in line with other leading imaging practices across Australia using the latest technology and state of the art equipment.
We strive for the highest level of ethical patient care, and cannot extend this same service at Medicare rebate levels.
Can I settle my account on another day?
We require payment in full on the day of your scan. Credit card and EFTPOS facilities are available.
What is your credit card surcharge fee?
When you use your credit card to finalize payment at Western Ultrasound for Women, there will be a surcharge of 1.0% for Visa and MasterCard payments.
Credit card surcharges will apply from 1 December 2021.
Do you run on time?
Western Ultrasound for Women endeavours to run on schedule. However, there are times when we run behind. This is usually because a) a baby has been in a difficult position to scan, b) a significant abnormality has been detected which requires counselling/extra use of the specialists’ time, or c) a patient before you has been late.
You should try to arrive for your ultrasound at least 10 minutes before your scheduled appointment. This will give you a chance to complete patient information forms at reception.
To avoid stress, please allow up to 1 hour for your appointment. This is usually adequate time for your ultrasound to be performed. Most appointments do not take this length of time, however delays are sometimes unavoidable.
It is important that we are able to take the time needed to ensure an accurate and thorough assessment occurs for all patients. We appreciate your understanding in this matter.
For more information, please feel free to contact our reception desk.
First Trimester Screening (FTS) FAQ
1. What is FTS?
FTS – First Trimester Screening. It is a combined test using ultrasound, mother’s blood test and mother’s age to obtain a calculated risk for Trisomy 21 (Down syndrome), Trisomy 18 (Edward syndrome) and Trisomy 13 (Patau syndrome). The ultrasound component can pick up a suspicion of other birth defects.
2. How accurate is FTS?
The detection rate for basic FTS is 85 – 90%. The false positive rate is about 5%.
3. When can I do this test?
The ultrasound in First Trimester Screening is done from 12 weeks but can be done between 11 to 13 weeks and 6 days pregnancy. The blood test can be performed earlier, from about 10 weeks of pregnancy.
4. How much does the FTS ultrasound cost?
The FTS ultrasound cost is $300 (of which $61.95 is Medicare rebated) from July 2022.
5. How fast will the FTS result be available?
The results can be given to you on the day of the ultrasound scan, if blood test results are available.
6. If the FTS result shows high risk, what should I do next?
If the test shows high risk, it is recommended that you consider undergoing invasive testing either by Chorionic Villus Sampling (CVS) or Amniocentesis because FTS is not diagnostic. An alternative screening test is NIPT. The options will be discussed with you during your appointment, and recommendations will be made according to your level of risk.
7. Can this test tell me if my baby will have other congenital malformations?
FTS involves an ultrasound scan of your pregnancy. During this ultrasound, certain congenital malformations can be detected, however you will be given the option of a more detailed scan of fetal anatomy later in your pregnancy.
8. Can the detailed ultrasound scan at 19 – 20 weeks of pregnancy detect Down syndrome?
The detailed ultrasound scan at 19 – 20 weeks of pregnancy is to look for any structural abnormality. Some structural abnormalities point to an increased risk of Down syndrome and other birth defects. An invasive test (CVS or amniocentesis) may be recommended to confirm the diagnosis of Down syndrome.
What if I am running late?
If you are running late for your medical appointment, the practice would appreciate a phone call, if possible. We will attempt to reschedule you for later that day, if this is possible. But if no time slot is available, you will have to be re-booked. Please go to our Contact Us page to reach out to us.
What should I expect from an ultrasound scan?
When our sonographer and sonologist are ready for you, we will invite you into our scanning room, ask you to lie down on a bed, and then to expose your abdomen. Warm gel will be placed on your skin, and then an ultrasound transducer will be gently placed on you. The transducer transmits information to the machine which will be translated into images on a screen, which you will be able to see. The sonologist will explain to you what you are seeing on the screen. After the scan, results will be conveyed to you, usually by the specialist if he or she is available.
Do I need a full bladder for the scan?
Some fluid in the bladder would be helpful to get optimal images. However, you do not need to be uncomfortably full or be “busting???. Going to the toilet an hour before the scan, then drinking a couple of glasses afterwards will usually mean that there is enough urine in the bladder for the scan.
Can you exclude Down Syndrome on ultrasound?
No. Whilst ultrasound appearances can sometimes be suggestive of Down Syndrome, only definitive tests such as Amniocentesis and Chorionic Villus Sampling will tell you for sure. Non-Invasive Pre-natal Testing, however, does have an accuracy of >99% and is close to being diagnostic. The First Trimester Screencan detect about 85% to 90% of fetuses with Down Syndrome.
Who can I bring to my obstetric ultrasound?
Pregnancy is an exciting time for couples, families and friends. Your ultrasound is an opportunity to bond with your baby. You are welcome to bring your partner or other support person to share in this special time. Young children do not usually find ultrasound entertaining or exciting. They can become distressed by being in a dark room. If you bring a young child you should bring another adult so that if your child becomes upset or distracting, there is someone to take them outside if needed. We aim to make your experience memorable and enjoyable, however it is important to remember that your ultrasound is a very important medical examination. Your sonographer needs to concentrate and the presence of a disruptive child or many family members can sometimes be distracting. Please keep this in mind when planning your visit.
Non-Invasive Pre-natal Testing FAQ
1. What is Non-Invasive Pre-natal Testing?
NIPT is a blood test that looks at small pieces of DNA from your pregnancy. These pieces are found in your blood by the time you are 10 weeks pregnant. By looking at these pieces of DNA, NIPT can tell you if there’s an increased chance that your pregnancy may have a chromosome condition, such as Down syndrome.
2. When can I do this test?
You can have NIPT anytime from 10.5 weeks of pregnancy.
3. How much is Non-Invasive Pre-natal Test?
The pricing of percept NIPT is $449. Note that there is no Medicare rebate for the blood test.
4. How long do I have to wait for NIPT results?
The turnaround time for results with Percept is from 5 working days from when samples are received, and 7 days for Harmony.