2006-07-18 02:39:33 · 14 answers · asked by ME 3 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
ultrasound waves travel well through a liquid medium but very poorly through air.
In early gestation, the water surrounding the baby may not be enough for a good visualisation. So by having a full bladder helps with the ultrasound examination.
However, if you are unable to hold your bladder and the image is not clear, your obstetrician may be able to do a vaginal scan for you. A vaginal ultrasound scan does not require a full bladder because it can be placed closer to the uterus and baby.
2006-07-18 05:16:41 · answer #1 · answered by wbh 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Why do I have to drink water before my ultrasound exam?
The type of ultrasound exam will determine whether you need to drink water for the test. If the exam is an abdominal ultrasound, the patient does not need to drink water. A pelvic ultrasound, requires at least 40 oz of water 1-hour prior the appointment time. The full bladder serves as a window to see your pelvic organs (i.e. uterus, ovaries or prostate). Without a full bladder it is difficult to see them.
2006-07-18 02:43:55 · answer #2 · answered by redunicorn 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to drink water before an ultrasound is done on your bladder (pelvic)
But you do not need to drink water before having a regular pregnancy ultrasound (abdominal)
2006-07-18 02:44:27 · answer #3 · answered by mand 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends on how far along you are. If your under 13 weeks then you don't have to drink water cause the ultrasound is going to have to be done vaginally. Otherwise yes drink, drink, drink! at least 3 12oz glasses I'd say...
2006-07-18 03:07:07 · answer #4 · answered by Dawn B 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lots and lots of water...like 32-64 ounces. This is to expand your bladder so it is out of the way and identifiable during the ultrasound. Makes it easier for the tech. You will float.
2006-07-18 02:43:50 · answer #5 · answered by AlloAllo 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Only if you are in the very beginning. If you are going for your regular ultrasound in your 4th month then no. I had an ultrasound when I was 8 weeks and I had to then but for my other one to determine the sex, I didn't.
2006-07-18 02:44:35 · answer #6 · answered by couriousk 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to expand the bladder as much as possible to help the ultrasound tech be able to see better. For a pregnant woman, this is torture though!!!!
2006-07-18 02:43:02 · answer #7 · answered by cows4me79 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need a full bladder so they can have a "landmark" to navigate by.
However, my first ultrasound was an internal one, so I had to make sure my bladder was empty.
2006-07-18 02:44:07 · answer #8 · answered by LadyJag 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The full bladder serves as an acoustic window to see your pelvic organs (i.e. uterus, endometrial canal, ovaries or prostate). Without a full bladder it is difficult to see them.
2006-07-18 02:43:30 · answer #9 · answered by momma2mingbu 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
So your bladder's full. A full bladder pushes everything else up and makes it easier for them to see what's inside your uterus.
2006-07-18 02:43:38 · answer #10 · answered by GreenEyedLilo 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋