Anatomy scan question

tacosandtums · May 2014

I just called my doctor's office to confirm the time of my appointment tomorrow, and the girl who answered told me the time and she mentioned that I don't need to come with a full bladder. She said it's a "complete ultrasound" meaning they will do the transvaginal kind at first, then they do the kind on the belly after. I was like are you sure? I was like this is for the anatomy scan, right?? And she said yes... I just feel like this is wrong for some reason. When I scheduled my appt. the girl at the front desk told me to come with a full bladder... Did anyone else have the internal kind of ultrasound for their 20 week anatomy scan?? So confused

tacosandtums · May 2014

@bmwaters2121 That's what I thought this would be! I hate the internal kind. Like a LOT!

TantiveIV · May 2014

Mine was just on the belly. I came with a full bladder, because they didn't specify, but asked when I got there and they said they didn't need it full. Baby was in a weird position so they couldn't see everything they needed to, so I don't know if a full bladder would have helped - maybe eating beforehand would have helped. I plan on eating before our second shot at an a/s next week.

GlitterMuffin914 · May 2014

My doctor specifically said not to have a full bladder at my A/S and even asked if I needed to use the restroom before my appointment started. As for the TV ultrasound, I'm not sure. Mine was all external on my belly, but maybe some doctors prefer the TV option to get certain measurements.

tbarker14 · May 2014

They only did the ultrasound on the belly for me. They did ask that I drink water before going but it wasn't a huge deal. And even during the ultrasound they asked for me to take a washroom break. So with an empty bladder the baby would move to another position so this way they could take some measurements at a different angle. I did eat like an hour before the appointment and it wasn't an issue.

tacosandtums · May 2014

I feel like this is causing me a lot of stress for no reason...I just didn't expect this at all. I'll just try and go with it and not freak out over it!

GinnyJ2012 · May 2014

I was told I would have a possible transvaginal portion to my a/s to check the length of my cervix. The OB was able to see it with an abdominal u/s so I didn't have to have the TV. If you're very worried about it you can show up with a full bladder and then use the bathroom if they say that empty is better. I was told empty bladder, but I've found different offices say different things.

ADH0906 · May 2014

I just had a partial anatomy scan at the MFM at 18w to check some fibroids (didn't cover everything the A/S would, but they have me the 'quick version) and it included a transvaginal scan as well. Was used to check the length of my cervix and measured how close the placenta and fibroid were to the cervix.

I was asked to empty my bladder before the scan, and then she let me go again right before the transvaginal. No full bladder needed.

greeneyed_bride · May 2014

Ditto PPs that the transvaginal ultrasound will probably be to measure cervical length. With DS, I had to have an extra ultrasound to measure my cervix (at 15ish weeks, I think) because my mom had an incompetent cervix, and they wanted to make sure it wasn't going to be a problem for me, too. That ultrasound was transvaginal. It didn't take very long for them to measure it.

I've had to have a total of three a/s ultrasounds (one for DS and two with this one because the baby's position made it difficult for the tech to get all of the measurements she needed the first time,) and I haven't needed a full bladder for any of them. I think that by 18/20ish weeks, the baby and uterus are large enough that they don't typically need for your full bladder to push your uterus up and make it easier to see.

haliebabyx3 · May 2014

I had abdominal for my A/S. They even told me to use the bathroom before going into the room. Each doctor's office is different. I have had three abdominal and one we ended up having to do transvaginal. That was the very first one, she couldn't get the readings she needed, the baby was too small at the time. It's not bad at all, I admit, I was a little intimidated at first. You should be fine!

[Deleted User] · May 2014

OP, thank you so much for posting this. I go in for an ultrasound on Thursday at 16w3d to check cervical length. I had no idea it would be a TV u/s. Thank you PP's!! Now I know I need to shave my legs at some point this week.

)

portentosa · May 2014

I have never been asked to have a full bladder for either of my pregnancies. My a/s this time was all belly, but I was prepared for a trans-vaginal too because with my first they got most of the needed measurements from the belly, but needed to finish up with some views trans-vaginally because he was not cooperating.

tacosandtums · May 2014

Thanks all, this is helpful. Hopefully it goes well!! I'm already nervous so the curve ball was just not welcomed!

brittanylee618 · May 2014

I had mine today. I was told to come with a full bladder for the first part of the scan. It was to measure the cervix. Once she got her measurement she excused me to the restroom and then we continued with the rest of the ultrasound. I would go in with it full just in case..
If they don't need it, just empty your bladder and move on! I was told they would reschedule me if my bladder wasn't full so I did it! I wasn't going to have to do that again!

Amandanmoen · May 2014

Mine was a regular tummy scan, no full bladder needed in 2nd trimester, BUT I've had to go back three times because baby isn't cooperating and letting them get all the pictures they need. If a trans vag will help with this then it might be worth putting up with it once more. I've learned to dread my "missed anatomy" scans because the techs can be really rough, punching LO around trying to get him to flip over. I may even ask my midwife about this if they try to schedule me for another one!

magdastu · May 2014

I came in at 18 weeks with an empty bladder and stomach (was never asked otherwise) and got a stomach u/s no problem. Since the placenta appeared too close to the cervix, they followed up with a transvaginal to check the position more accurately. Otherwise it wouldn't have been performed.

golfingdarwinfish · May 2014

My MFM does t/v to measure the cervix. Also , if the baby isn't cooperative sometimes structural measurements can be taken via t/v.

Justabean3 · May 2014

I went in last Friday and they told
Me it has become common practice todo TV u/s first and the a belly one for the a/s.

He said they now check for cervix length first in case you start having productive contractions early. They can tell if this is a change in cervix size or something like irritable uterus.

I declined them checking my cervix. They just said ok.

tacosandtums · May 2014

UPDATE: I went in today and they did the full thing with the tummy scan and then they did a 2 minute cervix check with the TV one.

I wish people who answered the phone at my doctors office would be educated as to what they tell patients so I'm not freaking out over nothing !!

LightBright515 · May 2014

How long is the A/S typically?

kaiyagirl29 · May 2014

I've only had internal ultrasounds in really early pregnancies..... That's strange!

Justabean3 · May 2014

LightBright515 said:
How long is the A/S typically?

Depending 20 mins-1.5 hr. It usually runs on average about 45 mins

It depends on who is doing it and if baby is cooperating.

tbarker14 · May 2014

Mine was 45 mins, then I had to go back an hour later for a different angle, that one was only 15 mins.
(the reason I had to go back on the same day is because I live in a remote area so it was the only time I could have the Ultrasound done.) timing will vary depending on how well baby co-operates!

LightBright515 · May 2014

Had mine today. All belly with a full bladder to measure my cervix.

spinsemeyer · May 2014

I was told to come with a full bladder.... AFTER I already got there and used the restroom. But everything showed up fine anyway. And i didn't need a transvaginal even at 8 weeks 5 days, definitely didn't need it at 20 weeks.

kateronium · May 2014

I had mine done at 21 weeks and they wanted me to have a full bladder. She told me it was in case they had to go transvaginally (they didn't) however baby didn't cooperate at all and we ended up going at it for an hour and 40 minutes. Also we weren't even able to get baby's gender. Had a foot or the cord in the way the whole time.

PrimRoseMama · May 2014

RC1014 said:
I feel like this is causing me a lot of stress for no reason...I just didn't expect this at all. I'll just try and go with it and not freak out over it!

Really the TV ultrasound is not a huge deal. Relax.

allurah2014 · May 2014

I have mine today and am feeling very nervous. I was told I would be having a transvaginal ultrasound, a regular ultrasound and a fetal echocardiogram with a pediatric heart specialist. I am not sure why it is so comprehensive, but it seems to be in character with my doctors style. All of my tests so far have come back great including the counsyl genetic test, my blood work, pap, Down syndrome etc. I freaked out last night when I read that echos are usually performed when there is a reason for concern and promptly called my doctor at 10pm. He was very patient and explained that he has to dish out bad news every day, so he would never sugar coat things for me either. It is just a procedure for a peace of mind or potential prep. I am kind of a nervous wreck still. I just want her to be happy and healthy, as I am sure all mommies to be feel about their nuggets.

lfraase · May 2014

I had a TV ultrasound at the end of the on-the-belly anatomy screen because baby was sitting right on my cervix and they couldn't get a look at it, it took 30 seconds and was no big deal.

allurah2014 · May 2014

Everything went really well and there were no abnormalities. The reason for the transvaginal was to take a look at my cervix and make sure everything looked ok. He pressed around my abdomen to make sure my cervix stayed closed. The echo cardiogram was a precaution due to the medication that I am currently on. So, I guess it was "standard" procedure for someone under my circumstances. Currently I am having the worst hip pain and can hardly walk. More fun times ahead.

jaminjeff · May 2014

For my A/S with my son, I had both. They measured the length of my cervix with the internal one before doing anything else.

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