Tips for successful a/s?

LyndseyLC · November 2013

With my first I feel like I remember dr. telling me to go with a full bladder and eat or drink something sugary I think I drank orange juice. Is this true? Any other tips? You probably don't want too much sugar if baby moves too much then they may have trouble measuring what they need or determining sex..

thomas930 · November 2013

I was not given any special instructions for my a/s...not for this pregnancy or my other two.

strawberrytree · November 2013

I was told to pee an hour before it was scheduled, then drink two large glasses of water and not pee again until after it was done.

Karianne02 · November 2013

I had mine on the 11th. I was told to come in with a full bladder. They were even more specific and said I needed to drink 20 ounces of water within an hour of the appointment.

homediva · November 2013

Last time I drank way too much water and had to "partially empty my bladder" halfway through! Not fun lol .

Avion22 · November 2013

I was told to show up with a full bladder.

Bluebird2318 · November 2013

I was told to show up with a full bladder, like PP said. The first time I was told not to have much sugar so that baby isn't so active that they have trouble getting the shots they need.

porterlove525 · November 2013

I had no specific instructions at all and just ate a normal breakfast with a small glass of oj before going and then drank a bottle of water while in the waiting room before my scan. The baby was active, but not too much for me, which was a first because normally it's all over the place! I think all doctors are different, but I would go with what your comfortable consuming beforhand unless otherwise told. I didn't want to have to pee too bad or be uncomfortable since I knew I had to have 2 ultrasounds (one with the sonographer and one with the MFM doctor) and it would be at least an hour before I could pee

Good luck!!! And enjoy the views of baby.

SeattleMomma · November 2013

I'm with you AprilMay. I was told to have a full bladder for my first U/S. No instructions for any of my A/S.

Mamamonzo · November 2013

AprilMay9 said:
I thought the peeing advice was only useful when the baby is super small? No?

I thought so too,mine actually said empty bladder.

MndyJnn · November 2013

No instructions for mine, and they even had me pee in a cup as part of my normal checkup right before the scan.

avidkeo · November 2013

It really depends on the sonographer at the end of the day, I know someone who does the 12 week scans on an empty bladder, which is really unusual.

My instructions are: if before 18 weeks, empty bladder 1hr before and drink 1 litre of water before your scan. After 18 weeks, empty bladder 1hr before, and drink 1-2 glasses of water.

Because baby is bigger after 18 weeks, they don't need the "window" that your bladder provides. I could go into the physics of it (sound travels faster in water than in tissue, therefore its like looking through a magnifying glass) but I wont cause its too complicated!!! Yes now I'm showing off, I am beginning ultrasound training next year, and its good to see how much I remember from doing the basics last year!

Marusika · November 2013

My tip for a succesful A/S is a healthy baby. Then I can tell for sure that my A/s is succesful

hpanabaker · November 2013

I was told I didn't need a full bladder when I go.

katieharpiceland · November 2013

My 12 week scan was on an empty bladder. Or at least, I didn't have to do anything special. No trouble seeing anything. And I have no instructions for my A/S.

sishamarie · November 2013

The scan would be so uncomfortable with a full bladder!! I drank a fruit smoothie before the scan too the cold and sugar worked well, the nurse had no trouble finding the parts

hordol · November 2013

Mine is on Thursday and they haven't given me any instructions. When I had my CVS done at 12 weeks, they actually had me empty my bladder because it was too full and I was going to be laying there awhile so they wanted me to be comfortable. Probably depends on the type of machine. I'll be using a level II ultrasound machine so I'm assuming that since those machines are fancier that they really don't need any special requirements.