Drinking for U/S

shanaynerz · September 2011

From what I've read on here before, the amount of water drank prior to an U/S seems to vary, but I'm curious what you all had to drink.

My sheet tells me they want you to drink 4 8oz. glasses within the 2 hrs. prior to the U/S. This seems like a lot, but a good amount. Anyways, just curious how much you ladies who have had an U/S had to drink. I feel like I have to pee all the time already so I'm totally not looking forward to it (the drinking part, that is)! :P

ChelseyB5186 · September 2011

Yup. Unfortunately you do have to drink that much prior to the ultrasound. Mine always tell me 36 oz must be fully consumed one hour before my appointment. And don't try to fudge the numbers, I unsuccessfully did that! I've had multiple u/s (due to a previous loss) and each time I did the proper amount and it was definitely painful to have that much in your bladder, but they need to do that in order to get a clear picture. Last time, I tried to cheat, and only drank about half to three quarters the amount, and when she did the abdominal it was a little painful. I asked why, and she said she had to push hard because there wasn't enough water in the bladder to see everything 100% Oops! So it's a pain in the butt (or bladder!), but oh so worth it when you're able to easily see your LO (and get a picture!) Then you get to go pee and all is right in the world

Good luck tomorrow! Let us know how it goes!

nzmum · September 2011

I had to drink a litre of water an hour and half before and not go to the loo! This was impossible but after I went to the loo, I just drank another water bottle of water to keep me topped up haha. Kinda cheated but at the ultrasound the lady said that I had a very full bladder so I guess it worked haha

shortgrass03 · September 2011

I'm starting to wonder how good my obgyn's office is... I was never told to drink any water before my ultrasounds. I mean, I was sipping water in the waiting room while eating a granola bar at my 8 week appt, but no one ever told me to drink tons of water. I'll make sure to drink a lot of water before my 12 week appt next week.

There are a few other things that make me wonder how they are...

guilletskichuk · September 2011

Just wondering if it depends on what kind of u/s it is.

I've had tons of exterior u/s growing up (lots of bladder issues etc. and always had to have a full bladder). I had my first u/s of my pregnancy earlier today and I was asked to empty my bladder before my u/s. It was an internal u/s. I suppose that was necessary so that I didn't pee all over the radiologist? lol

I felt like today was a roller coaster. First the nurses filled me full of water and juice so that I could give them a urine test. Then, later on, I was so full when it came time for my u/s that I then had to empty my bladder for that! :S

Heddarc · September 2011

shortgrass03:
I'm starting to wonder how good my obgyn's office is... I was never told to drink any water before my ultrasounds. I mean, I was sipping water in the waiting room while eating a granola bar at my 8 week appt, but no one ever told me to drink tons of water. I'll make sure to drink a lot of water before my 12 week appt next week.

There are a few other things that make me wonder how they are...

You probably didn't have to drink anything for your 8 week appt because they did a transvag u/s and you need an empty bladder for that one but they will probably have you drink a lot of water for your 12 week appt. What's difficult for me is the doc wants urine at every appt so how am I supposed to PIAC and hold a full bladder...yikes!

CTbride79 · September 2011

My OBGYN office has so far never made me drink anything before an u/s. I have had ultrasounds in the past for non-PG related issues, and I had to have a full bladder for those, but I guess I've never heard of needing a full bladder for a baby u/s? We have our downs syndrome screening next week at another hospital, and I also wasn't told I need to have a full bladder for that u/s.

LoveTravel · September 2011

They recomended the same for me I think either 4 8oz or more...

I drank a bottle of water like an hour before or less and the tech had comented on having a FULL bladder and I didn't drink as near what I needed too, this time (yesterday) I drank my bottle of water an hour before again and the u/s tech never complained about not having drank enough water so for ME an hour before and only a bottle of water works. There is no way I could drink all that and keep it in.

mumegs · September 2011

They told me just to drink a bottle, 16 oz. It's funny when I had to do it before I was pregnant that made my bladder sooo full, and the tech was like, wow your bladder really is full huh?

Then when I did it for baby u/s i was dehydrated I guess, I could barely even pee in a cup afterward. They tell you to empty your bladder an hour before and then drink it. I swear I have to pee so much during the night that I am so thirsty in the mornings!

Patella1129 · September 2011

I've never had to have a full bladder before an u/s whether it was vaginal or abdominal. I don't understand why my office is different in this from so many others!

RichInLove · September 2011

My doctor never wanted me to drink extra water..

NayNaysPlayPen · September 2011

I called at 10 am was told to drink 32 ounces by 11:30 for my 12:20 appointment. I was fine until the drive tot he dr, and then I was in so much pain from the full bladder! I sat in the waiting room honestly scared I coudlt hold it in! I was on the verge of tears.

Dr started my u/s then asked me to use the restroom and "void" half my bladder because I was TOO full. She said she thinks they tell people to drink way too much water and I have to say I agree! Might also depend on the size of the person. At 5 feet tall, 100 pounds, 32 ounces was WAY too much for this girl! Next time I will drink less!

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