Ultrasound Question: Full bladder vs. empty

MayBeSomeDay16

I was just scheduled for an ultrasound next Tuesday and the nurse wants me to empty my bladder an hour before and then drink 32oz of water with in 15 minutes and hold it. So when i had my MC they made sure i had a very empty bladder, so now i'm curious did you have a full or empty bladder? How does having a full bladder effect the U/S? 

I honestly don't know how i'm going to manage not to pee on the tech....

KMKaiser07

With my first they had me have a full bladder to try a transabdominal scan. It pushes your uterus up so you have a greater chance of it being successful otherwise they just have you empty your bladder for a transvaginal. I once had too full of a bladder and they were able to tell me how many times to fill a cup to get it to the right level.

ACleanLife24

What PP said and-

If you are really unfortunate... your bladder will be a little too full and they will request you to let out just a little... You are permitted to give the technician a death stare for this

adorebel

MayBeSomeDay16 said:

I was just scheduled for an ultrasound next Tuesday and the nurse wants me to empty my bladder an hour before and then drink 32oz of water with in 15 minutes and hold it. So when i had my MC they made sure i had a very empty bladder, so now i'm curious did you have a full or empty bladder? How does having a full bladder effect the U/S? 

I honestly don't know how i'm going to manage not to pee on the tech....

Hey! The short answer is that earlier ultrasounds require a full bladder, whereas later ones don't always. The further along you are, the more liquid is already in your womb, so the less they need the liquid from the bladder to act as a "lens." Since ultrasounds work through high frequency sound waves (like dolphins using echolocation), liquid is key to producing the image. Earlier ultrasounds therefore depend on a nice, full bladder. 

It's possible you had a transvaginal ultrasound with your MC (vs an abdominal one) or that you had it late enough in the pregnancy that you didn't require a full bladder to produce the image. Transvaginal ultrasounds do not require you to fill your bladder. 

Sorry for your previous loss and good luck with the ultrasound!

MayBeSomeDay16

Awesome! thanks ladies for the info. I'm excited and nervous as all get out that i won't be able to hear a heartbeat. i'm very confident in my dates from charting so I'll be exactly 6 weeks. This is ranking right up there with the TWW torture.