Full Bladder makes for better U/S results?

chocklitslym · November 2012

I've heard that if you have a full bladder when you get an Ultrasound, you get better results.

Has anyone heard this to be true? Has anyone been made to drink water and wait?

I have a pregnancy "size/date" u/s next week because my HCG levels were slightly higher than expected, just want the best results and want to avoid a TV U/S.

StarshineR · November 2012

I'm surprised that you weren't instructed to drink 3-4 glasses of water an hour before the appointment.

RunningGal900 · November 2012

If they didn't tell you to drink water, you don't need to. I am on my phone so I can't see your ticker, but more than likely you will have a transvaginal ultrasound which actually requires an empty bladder

shelley1002 · November 2012

The techs, doctor, and OB all told me it makes no difference if your bladder is full or empty. Mine was empty and we had a perfectly clear view of DS.

yesthisiskim0401 · November 2012

The first ultrasound is aost always transvag. No escaping it, full bladder or not. Besides, they will ask you to pee in a cup before the ultrasound.

shelley1002 · November 2012

I'll add that my OB does not have an ultrasound machine so I have to go to the hospital for them. I never had a transvag one. I only got 2 the dating scan at 11 weeks and the anatomy scan at 20 weeks.

manda37 · November 2012

It really depends on how far along you are. My doctor always does two u/s for the first visit (if under 8 weeks.) They ask that you drink between 32 and 40 oz. of water at least one hour before your appointment and then hold it.They do the abdominal u/s and then have you empty for the TV u/s.

I had my first ultrasound at what I thought was 6w2d. I drank so much water and was in pain from holding it. The appointment before mine was running over so they told me I could "empty a little." I did. Twice. I finally got back into the room and the tech was amazed that I was holding my bladder. It was too full! She was able to see the baby and the heartbeat but not clearly enough to measure anything. I had to empty again. Twice. She told me that if I have another early u/s that I don't have to drink that much. She said I have a good bladder and that drinking a quarter of that (10 oz) a half hour before the appointment should be fine. So, it really depends on the woman.

If they doctor didn't tell you to drink then you should be okay not to. They may just be planning the TV u/s.

weaslewam · November 2012

RunningGal900:
If they didn't tell you to drink water, you don't need to. I am on my phone so I can't see your ticker, but more than likely you will have a transvaginal ultrasound which actually requires an empty bladder

This

densquared · November 2012

manda37:
It really depends on how far along you are. My doctor always does two u/s for the first visit (if under 8 weeks.) They ask that you drink between 32 and 40 oz. of water at least one hour before your appointment and then hold it.They do the abdominal u/s and then have you empty for the TV u/s.

This has been my experience as well.

MrsPBandJ · November 2012

I've only ever had transvaginal ultrasounds (probably about 50 of them by now w/ fertility txs, pg, and miscarriages) and it doesn't really matter, but I always empty my bladder right before because the one time I didn't, it was very uncomfortable.

blue_elle · November 2012

I had a T/V, not for pregnancy, but to look at my ovaries, tubes, etc. and was told have a full bladder. Uncomfortable, yes, but more so because there's a wand up your hoo-hoo being shoved into the corners of your ute. Full does not mean bursting, so don't go crazy with the water if you have to go this route.

I have one scheduled for this week and asked the girl who made the appointment. She said she wasn't sure, but better to come full than not since I can always empty if it's not needed.

Not very helpful, sorry

CutieGirlLissie · November 2012

If you are having a transvaginal u/s )which you more then likely will be since it's early on) then you don't need a full bladder. But if by some chance they are giving you a regular u/s then yes, a full bladder gives a better picture but is pretty uncomfortable.