3rd Trimester

Do I really need a full bladder for a 35w ultrasound??!!

I have to have a growth ultrasound done tomorrow since I am measuring a bit behind. I am not concerned about it since I measured behind with dd#1 as well and she was a normal size. When I scheduled my appt the lady told me to have a full bladder. Are you kidding me??!! I don't even think it is possible for my bladder to be full and considering the fact that I feel like I have to pee all the time this will be impossible! It was hard enough at the 20 week ultrasound. I would think the baby is big enough now that the full bladder would be unnecessary. Those of you who have had late ultrasounds-is this really necessary?
Child #1: 6 yo DD Child #2: 2yo DD

Re: Do I really need a full bladder for a 35w ultrasound??!!

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  • Umm if they told you that you need a full bladder then yes you have to do it. I just had a u/s on Friday and I was 40 weeks and it required a full bladder it's not impossible...
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
  • I was never told to have a full bladder, not even at my 20w ultrasound (in fact, they made me empty my bladder before the u/s). I had a growth u/s at 34w and peed right before it, too.
  • no full bladder needed!
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  • I haven't had to have a full bladder for any of my ultrasounds.  I would go ahead and go in with a full bladder then ask them when you get there if it is really necessary.
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker BabyFruit Ticker
  • It seems silly to need one now but if they told you to have one I would go with one. Worst case is the lady was wrong & they let you empty your bladder before the u/s
    "Dear Lord, I would have loved to have held my babies on my lap and tell them about you, but since I didn't get the chance, would you please hold them on your lap and tell them about me?" DD 9/22/03 Our little sassypants! DS 4/10/10 My little man is growing so fast
  • imageanabell0920:
    Umm if they told you that you need a full bladder then yes you have to do it. I just had a u/s on Friday and I was 40 weeks and it required a full bladder it's not impossible...
    The reason I asked was because I have heard people on here say they weren't required to have a full bladder even for the 20 week anatomy scan even after they were told to by the receptionist and yes, this being baby #2 for me this does seem like an impossible task. No need to get snotty.
    Child #1: 6 yo DD Child #2: 2yo DD
  • I'm scheduled for another growth u/s at 37 weeks and they told me I didn't need a full bladder.

    But different places might have different equipment/policies etc. If they told you to come in with a full bladder you prolly should.

    DD1 - 2010 TTC v2.0
  • NO!!!!

    I just had one last week where the scheduling person told me the same thing.  The ultrasound technician told me my bladder was huge, and that there was no need to drink before ultrasounds this late in pregnancy.  I was 38 weeks at the time, it was very uncomfortable and I'm pretty sure my bladder distended the pics she took of LOs face.

  • good thing is at least at this point a full bladder for me only takes like 1 glass of water Smile
    "Dear Lord, I would have loved to have held my babies on my lap and tell them about you, but since I didn't get the chance, would you please hold them on your lap and tell them about me?" DD 9/22/03 Our little sassypants! DS 4/10/10 My little man is growing so fast
  • I wouldn't think it is necessary - and I would totally question what a receptionist tells you.  It's not like she is a nurse or a dr. herself.
    Adrian 7.6.07 - ADHD, Disruptive Behavior Disorder, Learning Disability-NOS
    Cam 6.6.10 - Autism, Global Developmental Delay, Mixed Receptive/Expressive Communication Disorder
  • No, I haven't had to have one for any of the u/s I've had.
  • They make me go empty my bladder right before I go in. Even if I tell them I don't need to they tell me to try and pee. Maybe it is just a preferance of the tech's
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  • I have not been required to have a full bladder for any of the 4 ultrasounds that I have already had. Two were really early and therfore internals but still. I think they should be able to find what they need to find without you being miserable
  • It's probably standard they tell you to have a full bladder, but I doubt you need to totally fill it up. That sounds like hell. It can't be good to be this pregnant and not pee when there's a need to.

    I went in for an u/s at 32 weeks and they told me to not pee for the hour before I go in and that a full bladder isn't necessary. For all the other u/s I had, when they said to drink a litre of water; I would drink half a litre and it was ample.

    Lilypie Second Birthday tickers
  • I've had monthly ultrasounds since my 20 week and haven't had to have a full bladder. Several times I've been asked to actually empty it......I think it is only necessary early on...it helps them locate the baby and get a clearer picture.  

    At this point in my pregnancy, the baby is big enough that the tech is not going to miss him!  :)   

  • The place we go to only requires you to drink 16fl oz of water 1hr prior to the u/s for pregnancies up to 26wks.  After 26wks, they don't require anything.
    Dylan Gabriel 04/29/10 Aiden Drake 04/28/12
  • The only one I had to have a full bladder for was the 8 week ultrasound.  I've had them every 3-4 weeks since 19 1/2 weeks and have not been told to for any of those; in fact, they usually ask if I'd like to go the bathroom before the ultrasound starts so that I will be more comfortable.  Maybe you can clarify with the tech or dr?
  • Usually when they see an abdominal u/s the requirement is for a full bladder so that it displaces the uterus and ovaries so you can see them via u/s.

    I wouldn't see why you should need it since baby is so big already and a full bladder would just take up more room and make it harder for the tech to see things. I would just drink some water before hand and then it won't be too full, and if they want you to empty it you can.

  • in general, No, you don't need a full bladder.  I'm sure the receptionist told you you had to have it full because that is standard for their protocols.  I bet if you go in with a mildly full bladder then once you go back to have the ultrasound, they'd let you pee within  a few minutes of being there.  Really, after the 20 week ultrasound, the bladder only acts as a window to look at your cervix.  past 32 weeks they don't really care about your cervix anymore- therefore full bladder not really necessary. 
    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker
  • I've never need a full bladder for any ultrasounds, but different offices have different equipment. You may need it. Just drink extra water before and if it's unbearable, ask the tech if you can please go to the bathroom or if they really do need your bladder to be full.
  • at my 36 week appt they said I didn't have to but when I got to the office they wouldn't let me pee until after the u/s!
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