Full Bladder and 18 week Ultrasound

EKR444 · Dec 31st, 2009, 10:06 AM

I had an ultrasound at 18 weeks for my first pregnancy with my daughter, and the paperwork my ob gave me made it very clear that it was not necessary to drink extra fluids or try to have a full bladder. I also had an elective 4D u/s at an independent place for that pregnancy at 32 weeks, and was told the same thing. Now I'm 17 weeks pregnant and I've switched to an established ob that's much closer to where we live, but their paperwork for the 18 week u/s gives detailed instructions for drinking fluids and having a full bladder. I understand the concept of a full bladder creating clearer images for several reasons, but I'm wondering if anyone knows why some ob's would still require the full bladder when others don't? Particularly for the exact same stage of pregnancy, and I'm at the same weight I was last time...

LogansMama · Dec 31st, 2009, 23:16 PM

It really just varies office to office - depending on the equipment they use and the experience of the sonographer. Better equipment probably gives clearer images without a full bladder....

I've never been told to have a full bladder - but I know many that have. As a matter of fact - they usually ask me to EMPTY my bladder before we start....

agreeksmom · Jan 1st, 2010, 00:18 AM

SERIOUSLY, only drink 750ml dont drink a whole Litre i had my ultrasound today and i drank 750ml i was still in pain for wanting to pee next time im only drinking like 650ml i have a small bladder and by the time i get into the room for the ultrasound im in pain

EKR444 · Jan 28th, 2010, 11:35 AM

They actually only requested I drink 16 ounces of fluid starting an hour before my appointment. I kept it to a half hour before, and didn't have an uncomfortably full bladder when I was called in, and everything went just fine. This machine (new dr) was a 3D machine, and was perfectly clear. I just can't see adding discomfort to such an important experience for pregnant women without good cause... guess I'll be in the dark on this one!

littleblonde · Jan 28th, 2010, 12:34 PM

I work in a nhs scan department and we always say to have a full bladder but by 20 weeks its not needed. I had an inpatient scan at 22 weeks and they made me drink the water. I was in agony for hours after.

brandonsgirl · Jan 28th, 2010, 13:19 PM

i think it all goes off what the sonographer wants.
I persoanlly used to drink a bottle of water every other hour 2 days before the appointment and then my fluids will be clear. Then i dont need the full bladder

Kellyjelly · Jan 29th, 2010, 14:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LogansMama

they usually ask me to EMPTY my bladder before we start....

Same here.

Kellyjelly · Jan 29th, 2010, 14:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brandonsgirl

i think it all goes off what the sonographer wants.
I persoanlly used to drink a bottle of water every other hour 2 days before the appointment and then my fluids will be clear. Then i dont need the full bladder

omg, you are too cute, but having clear fluids or not doesn't affect the ultrasound. But at least you are hydrated, lol

brandonsgirl · Jan 29th, 2010, 15:09 PM

yes it does. Else you wont get a clear picture :/
Thats what i was told :S

Fly · Jan 30th, 2010, 04:35 AM

I think it's more to do with the size of your bladder - if your bladder is full, the uterus is pushed upwards and outwards and is easier to palpate and scan. The sonographer is not looking THROUGH your bladder so it really doesn't matter how clear your fluids are, or not, in terms of the quality of the picture. Although of course, it is always better to be hydrated.

Dec 31st, 2009, 10:06 AM	#1
EKR444 Pregnant (Expecting) New BnB member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Port Huron, MI Posts: 2	Full Bladder and 18 week Ultrasound I had an ultrasound at 18 weeks for my first pregnancy with my daughter, and the paperwork my ob gave me made it very clear that it was not necessary to drink extra fluids or try to have a full bladder. I also had an elective 4D u/s at an independent place for that pregnancy at 32 weeks, and was told the same thing. Now I'm 17 weeks pregnant and I've switched to an established ob that's much closer to where we live, but their paperwork for the 18 week u/s gives detailed instructions for drinking fluids and having a full bladder. I understand the concept of a full bladder creating clearer images for several reasons, but I'm wondering if anyone knows why some ob's would still require the full bladder when others don't? Particularly for the exact same stage of pregnancy, and I'm at the same weight I was last time...

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Dec 31st, 2009, 23:16 PM	#2
LogansMama Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: South Florida Posts: 2,835	It really just varies office to office - depending on the equipment they use and the experience of the sonographer. Better equipment probably gives clearer images without a full bladder.... I've never been told to have a full bladder - but I know many that have. As a matter of fact - they usually ask me to EMPTY my bladder before we start....

Status: Offline

Jan 1st, 2010, 00:18 AM	#3
agreeksmom Mum (Mom) Chat Happy BnB Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: canada Posts: 1,186	SERIOUSLY, only drink 750ml dont drink a whole Litre i had my ultrasound today and i drank 750ml i was still in pain for wanting to pee next time im only drinking like 650ml i have a small bladder and by the time i get into the room for the ultrasound im in pain

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Jan 28th, 2010, 11:35 AM	#4
EKR444 Pregnant (Expecting) New BnB member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Port Huron, MI Posts: 2	They actually only requested I drink 16 ounces of fluid starting an hour before my appointment. I kept it to a half hour before, and didn't have an uncomfortably full bladder when I was called in, and everything went just fine. This machine (new dr) was a 3D machine, and was perfectly clear. I just can't see adding discomfort to such an important experience for pregnant women without good cause... guess I'll be in the dark on this one!

Status: Offline

Jan 28th, 2010, 12:34 PM	#5
littleblonde Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: shropshire Posts: 6,987	I work in a nhs scan department and we always say to have a full bladder but by 20 weeks its not needed. I had an inpatient scan at 22 weeks and they made me drink the water. I was in agony for hours after.

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Jan 28th, 2010, 13:19 PM	#6
brandonsgirl Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Wanting to come home to England Posts: 3,312	i think it all goes off what the sonographer wants. I persoanlly used to drink a bottle of water every other hour 2 days before the appointment and then my fluids will be clear. Then i dont need the full bladder

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Jan 29th, 2010, 15:09 PM	#9
brandonsgirl Mum (Mom) BnB Addict Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Wanting to come home to England Posts: 3,312	yes it does. Else you wont get a clear picture :/ Thats what i was told :S

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Jan 30th, 2010, 04:35 AM	#10
Fly Pregnant (Expecting) Active BnB Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Posts: 210	I think it's more to do with the size of your bladder - if your bladder is full, the uterus is pushed upwards and outwards and is easier to palpate and scan. The sonographer is not looking THROUGH your bladder so it really doesn't matter how clear your fluids are, or not, in terms of the quality of the picture. Although of course, it is always better to be hydrated.

Status: Offline

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