U/S question

fernane · January 2014

So last week was my initial appointment with a nurse. We did medical history, bloodwork and urine sample. She put in a request for my first U/S, which is contracted by a different company at a different location. It is scheduled for tomorrow and I should be 8w2d by the nurse's calculations. When the person called to schedule the U/S, she told me to drink 32 oz of water and hold it an hour before my appointment time. Is that normal? I've never heard of that, unless they will be taking another urine sample and want to make sure I will have to go. I was never asked this with my first, so was wondering if this was normal.

superstealth · January 2014

Yeah, that's normal. I have a sheet of paper from my OB that says if you're before 16 weeks (I think), to hold your urine an hour before. It helps keep your uterus where it's easier to get a good picture.

SocraTeaseMe · January 2014

Yes. Normal.

Your first u/s was probably transvaginal. The next one won't be, so your bladder needs to be full, full, full. Make sure you drink ALL your water or they won't get a good picture.

GL.

fernane · January 2014

Thanks! Didn't know it affected the scan!

camichael84 · January 2014

Yes, it is normal for an ultrasound. I haven't had to do this for my pregnancy yet, but when I was younger I had an ultrasound to check my ovaries. I was required to drink 32 oz of water before the appointment.

I wasn't told to do it with the ultrasound I'm scheduled for in two weeks, but I'm assuming that's because it will be transvag.

JSS1002 · January 2014

So weird. I've heard so many people say things like htis, but I've had about 20969872987 ultrasounds (had them every Friday of my third tri last pregnancy), both over the tummy and vaginal, and nobody has ever told me to do this -- and in fact, I always had to give a urine sample before these ultrasounds, so I ALWAYS emptied my bladder before.

BabyMayinMarch · January 2014

I always had to have a full bladder with all of my ultrasounds except for the one I had at 39 weeks.

MommaM2 · January 2014

I believe with older technology you have to drink lots of water. With the newer stuff it's not necessary. They actually told me to use the washroom before my transvaginal u/s so it's less uncomfortable.

rockychryslerb2010 · January 2014

For my first dating ultrasound last pregnancy (around 10w) then had me drink water. They couldn't get a good picture (I have an odd shaped uterus), so then then had me empty my bladder and do the transvaginal scan. I don't remember having to drink the water for my anatomy scan and later growth ultrasounds at 36 and 39 weeks.

Vanellope · January 2014

Some places make you do that if your before 12 weeks. I had to do that with my first but haven't had to do it since.

JustCricket · January 2014

MommaM2 said:

I believe with older technology you have to drink lots of water. With the newer stuff it's not necessary. They actually told me to use the washroom before my transvaginal u/s so it's less uncomfortable.

same here. she asked me if I had to go at all and if I did to go now. but like you mine was transvaginal

Irisheyes1247 · January 2014

For abdominal u/s, I've always had to drink water. For transvaginal u/s, they have wanted empty bladders.

purplestarz · January 2014

I was wondering about this too so thanks for posting! They only told me 16oz an hour before. But then she didn't say if I was suppose to hold it or not. I guess so. That might be tough! Lol

kate6214 · January 2014

Yes this is normal. They will start abdominally. They may then have you empty it and do the vaginal.

nyg2042 · January 2014

Yep - I have to do this on Friday and also had to do it with my last pregnancy. They do an abdominal ultrasound and need a full bladder to get a picture of your ute. Then thy may have you completely empty your bladder to get a better picture with a transvaginal u/s.

megs2011 · January 2014

Normal. I had an u/s today at 6+1 and I needed a full bladder. I ended having a transvaginal one because I have a tilted ute and they couldn't see anything abdominally. I was pretty thankful to empty my bladder haha. Last time, at 10weeks I was required a full bladder (32oz of water) and every u/s after they said the same. I cut down the amount of water though on my own. And I never did it an hour before. Maybe 30-45 mins before and they never had an issue getting pictures.