2nd Trimester

Instructed not to drink a ton of water before ultrasound

My anatomy scan is scheduled for this Friday (Yay!). The imaging office called me yesterday to let me know that they have changed their policy and I don't need to drink 32 oz of water before the ultrasound. I confirmed that it would be an external ultrasound.

 

All I have ever heard is that you have to have a full bladder for the 20-week ultrasound. Has anyone else encountered similar instructions? I'm worried that they wont get a good scan if my bladder isn't full.

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Re: Instructed not to drink a ton of water before ultrasound

  • You'll be comfortable during the u/s!  I had an u/s yesterday (external and it wasn't my big u/s) and I didn't drink anything before and they were able to see everything they needed without a problem. 

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  • I wasn't told anything about water.  I thought they only wanted you to drink water when it was REALLY early in your pregnancy.
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  • i do kind of find it weird that dr's have different ways of doing the U/S that should be the same for all pregnancies.. but then again, im not the dr. my dr said that i needed to drink as much water the day before and the day of because she said the the better hydrated you are, the more amniotic fluid there is and the better to see your LO. and also when the bladder is full, it makes it easier to tell where it is and see around it and see the anatomy of your LO.

    either way, hope it all goes well and good luck!

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  • no. at one of my ultrasounds, my bladder wasn't full enough and they had a hard time seeing.  They made to sure to tel me about a 100x's that i needed a full bladder before my anatomy scan.
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  • They actually had me empy my bladder before the ultrasound. They were able to see everything that they needed to see. Im sure you will be fine. Good luck and if it makes you feel better bring the water with you incase.
  • my doc's office doesn't have me drink any particular amout of water either.  they just ask that you stay well hydrated. 
    DS - June 2009
    DD - February 2011
  • I've always been instructed to have an empty bladder. And they normally make me go to the bathroom when I get there.
  • I had to have a full bladder for my scans (NT & anatomy) but after they checked my cervix & bladder, they had me empty my bladder before they checked out the baby.  FWIW, a "full" bladder to them was 8-16oz of water.
  • At my 20 week u/s with Lyla, the tech actually had me get up off the table to go to the restroom because my over-full bladder was obstructing her view of my uterus. Not to mention I was miserable for the hour-long wait before the u/s. Will not be making that mistake again this time around!
  • image*sallymad*:
    I've always been instructed to have an empty bladder. And they normally make me go to the bathroom when I get there.
  • image*sallymad*:
    I've always been instructed to have an empty bladder. And they normally make me go to the bathroom when I get there.
    Same here. Instructed by my MFM specialist that I'll need an empty bladder at 21 weeks.
  • Mine made a point to tell me I don't need a full bladder.
  • I haven't had to have a full bladder for any of my ultrasounds.  I guess it depends on the place and the machine they are using (?).
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  • Had my first of three anatomy ultrasounds today (I see a high risk dr.) and I had to have an empty bladder and will for each of the next two.  It depends on the ultrasound machine....usually the better ones you don't need to drink the water.  Pictures of the baby were clear as day....better than with my daughter when I was at a regular ob and drank the water.  I could see every part with my own eyes and her gender was very, very clear!  Don't worry...just listen to what they tell you!
    DD (8/12/09), DD (2/8/11)
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  • It depends on the age/quality of the u/s machine.  Newer, higher-quality machines do not require a full bladder, even very early on (I didn't need a full bladder for my NT scan at 12w or my anatomy scan yesterday w/ the high-risk specialist, but would need one if the scan had been done on the machine in my OB's office).
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  • I was told to have an empty bladder for my US They want me comfortable.
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  • Having a full bladder helps to measure the cervix, but if yours was already measured then you're good. My dr's office requires a full bladder at any sono before 12 weeks, but wants it empty for any done after that.
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  • imagemtbowlin:
    Having a full bladder helps to measure the cervix, but if yours was already measured then you're good. My dr's office requires a full bladder at any sono before 12 weeks, but wants it empty for any done after that.
      my cervix was also measured....and I did not need to drink water for that either.  It just depends on the machines.
    DD (8/12/09), DD (2/8/11)
    BFP 12/16/14| EDD 8/19/15 |MMC 1/15/15 (9 weeks 1 day)
  • for my 12 week NT scan, my doc said to go with a full bladder.  I get there and was so incredibly uncomfortable (I only had drank a 20oz bottle of water that morning), and the tech goes to do the u/s and couldn't see anything.  She had me empty my bladder and then saw everything perfectly clear.  So, not sure what the deal is....? I'll tell you though, I'll never go with a full bladder again! ouch!
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