May 2013 Moms

Ultra sound question

I'm a FTM and I have my first u/s Monday morning. I'm so excited but kind of nervous because I don't really know what to expect and I don't have anyone else to talk to about it. So what should I be expecting? And do I need to drink a lot of water before I go? My doctor didn't say anything about it but a lady I work with said its easier to see the baby if I drink a lot of water.
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Re: Ultra sound question

  • Ive never been asked to have a full bladder for any of my u/s's.  Some Drs ask you to have one for your anatomy scan.

    As to what expect, depending on how far along you are and if this is a regular u/s or a scan, basically they just check out the baby, your cervix, etc to see if everything is going well.

    If it is your anatomy scan, it will be longer and they will check out and measure just about everything.  Brain, heart, organs, limbs, umbilical cord, placenta, fluid levels etc.  I had mine today and it was pretty awesome, and I am someone who gets an u/s every 2 weeks, lol.

    Good luck and make sure to ask for pictures!

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  • Agree with PP. If you can take someone with you I would recommend that for sure. I think the bladder full or empty thing depends on how far along you are. I never was asked especially to have a full bladder, but for an early second tri one I was asked to wait to pee until afterwards when I asked to go. Some people say to drink soda or have a bunch of sugar right before so the baby is more active, but I think that is not so good advice. The point is to get accurate measurements, not have the baby put on a show.

    Bottom line, if the doc didn't say anything, show up as you normally would.
  • I agree with previous posts.  If they didn't ask you drink any water, you don't need to.  I had to do that with my first two pregnancies, but that was over a decade ago.  I think the older technology needed that, especially if it was early on in the pregnancy. 

    I would suggest against having anything sugary before the u/s because they need the baby still to get accurate measurement.  My LO is always active regardless of my diet, and she gave the technician quite the hard time.  I now need to go back in 4 weeks for them to try and get some things they couldn't get.

    Most importantly, it doesn't hurt and they even have nice warmers to warm up the gel they put on your belly (similiar to when they listen for hearbeart in the office).  Good luck!  Most places will give you pictures and even put them on a CD for you.  You may want to call and ask if you need to bring your own disk or not.


    **DD1 - 7/9/98**

    **DS - 11/9/00**

    **DD2 - 4/30/13**

  • I have switched offices since having my first, but with him I was told to have a full bladder- they let me know that at the previous appointment. 

    This time they didn't say anything but I naturally had to go anyways. They did a urine sample before my ultrasound, so I was completely empty for it.

    I wonder if the full bladder/empty bladder depends on their machines? I have found that my pictures from my first pregnancy are MUCH clearer than this time. Not sure what that has to do with anything, but just thought I'd throw it out there!

     

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  • No need to drink a lot of water.  A lot of places actually make you empty your bladder before the u/s anymore.

    As for what to expect if it is your a/s it could take anywhere from 15-30 minutes.  They look at your placenta, ovaries, cervix, and all the parts of the baby and take measurements and look for abnormalities.

      
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  • I have never needed a full bladder for an u/s, but if you are concerned, call the doctors office to ask. Also, unlike PPs, I do recommend having a glass of juice or eat a candy bar on the way to the u/s. The tech was unable to get the measurement and pictures she needed bc LO was just hanging out in the wrong position for the test and wouldn't move. Since then, I have juice and each time LO is bouncing all over, but they see everything they need to!
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  • I had to have a full bladder with my other pregnancies before my ultrasounds but this time they didn't ask me too... I am thankful for that! So, I am not going to complain. It was sooo hard to have a full bladder and hold it for a long time and I would always have a long wait before I got called back. During the ultrasound they will take measurements, look at the baby's face (checking for cleft lip, etc), heart, kidneys, etc.
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