What position should a pregnant woman be in for abdominal ultrasonography?

For abdominal ultrasonography during pregnancy, positioning the woman on her back and turned slightly to one side with her head elevated is optimal. This position facilitates the best visualization of the fetus and abdominal organs. When the woman is supine (lying flat on her back), gravity helps in displacing the uterus and allows for better access during the ultrasound procedure. However, turning slightly to one side, typically the left, can reduce pressure on the inferior vena cava, which can be compressed by the weight of the uterus when lying flat. Elevating the head can enhance comfort and help prevent the woman from feeling lightheaded or faint.

Other positioning options, like lying flat on the stomach, would not provide adequate access to the abdomen needed for the ultrasound. Standing upright may also limit the technician's ability to obtain clear images of the fetus as it is more challenging to capture the necessary angles. Only lying on her side would be suboptimal unless specifically indicated for certain conditions, as it may not allow comprehensive imaging of the abdomen and fetus.