I have a ultrasound in about 3 weeks to find out the sex of the baby...they told me to go in with a full-bladder...why??? what if my bladder is not full..??
2006-09-11 06:07:01 · 22 answers · asked by martha95355 4 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Pregnancy
Your bladder has to be full so that the ultrasound technician can get a clear view of your baby and its organs. one time my bladder wasn't as full as it needed to be and the tech had a hard time seeing all of my daughters organs, so that is definitely important to follow that. you have to drink 32 ounces of water which isn't really that bad, but you have to do it an hour ahead of time, unlike me who tried to do it 20 minutes b-4 my appointment. the water has to travel through your body. you may be asked to reschedule your ultrasound if your bladder isn't full enough. from experience, drink the water!!!
2006-09-11 06:13:26 · answer #1 · answered by tyra p 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Number one - You aren't having an ultrasound to find out the sex of your baby. You're having an ultrasound to see if baby has all the correct parts and is growing correctly.
Number two - Drink at least 1 litre of water 1 hour before going to your appointment. This makes it easier to see things in the ultrasound. The full bladder creates a window through which to see your organs such as the uterus, ovaries, or prostate. Without a full bladder it is difficult to see these organs.
So, the answer is that you'll get better, clearer pictures if you drink the water.
2006-09-11 06:17:34 · answer #2 · answered by momma2mingbu 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
an ultrasound with a full bladder gives a better picture of the baby. I only drank about 2 glasses of Ginger Ale or Apple juice right before I went in. There were 2 times I didn't have a full bladder and it was OK. It depends on the person.
You should drink Apple juice or Ginger ale before going to the ultrasound. It makes the baby move active and gives the technician better pictures
2006-09-11 06:14:17 · answer #3 · answered by Susanna A 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
About the only reason why a full bladder is needed at......say 16 weeks plus......would be if you have had any bleeding.Also,the cervix is better evaluated being full as well.In my practice,I get just a few pictures with a full bladder,then let the patient empty for the other 95% of the exam.More than likely though,if you happen to forget to be full,they'd still be able to see almost everything what they need to see regardless.Full bladders are also important with early pregnancies.The office probably is used to telling all their patients to come that way that they realyy dont distinquish between the different stages of the pregnancy-it''s just easier for them to tell all their patients the same thing!
2006-09-12 09:04:15 · answer #4 · answered by KEITH G 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When you have a full bladder it pushes your uterus up and is easier to see what is going on in there. In my experience, I only had to have a full bladder in my first US at 5 weeks pg. My next one at 10 weeks I did not have to have a full bladder.. just because the baby is big enough to see by this time.
They usually cannot determine the sex until 17-22 weeks. Since you didn't specify how far along you are you may want to call and confirm
A. can we determine sex now...or
B. Do you really need full bladder?
2006-09-11 06:16:21 · answer #5 · answered by Laura G 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They tell you to go in with a full bladder so it makes it easier to see the baby. When your bladder is full the vibrations that they hear (which is what an ultrasound is) are much clearer. If your bladder is not full, they will not be able to get a clear picture.
2006-09-11 06:11:31 · answer #6 · answered by dienna c 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Full bladder is to get the best image of the baby. And they will make you sit there with lots of water to drink if it is not full enough and try about 10-15 min later. Try to NOT pee as long as you can prior to your appt. It is difficult but you can do it. I had a high risk pregnancy so I had about 6 ultrasounds all the way until my 39th week... WOW was that hard holding that pee! Good luck! Make sure you remember to ask if you can get a copy of the ultrsound on VHS or DVD.
2006-09-11 06:15:15 · answer #7 · answered by Mickey 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
After drinking the 32 oz (i think it is i can't remember) just don't go to the bathroom that's fine. But an ultrasound scan involves transmitting high frequency sound waves through the uterus. These bounce off the baby and the returning echoes are translated by a computer into an image on a screen that reveals the baby's position and movements. His bones give off the biggest echo that's why there appear white. Hope this helps
2006-09-11 06:27:24 · answer #8 · answered by britt3m 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Sound waves travel better through liquid, so a full bladder improves the quality of an ultrasound during early pregnancy"
They will give you time in the waiting room, generally, to drink water before the ultrasound.
2006-09-11 06:13:30 · answer #9 · answered by wylers 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
they need the bladder to be full for several reasons....but mostly so that they can distinguish it from the pregnancy. I usually drink a big glass of water before I leave and drink a bottle of water on the way there. If it's not full they may not be able to complete the scan. It is uncomfortable...but as soon as they can let you go they will.
2006-09-11 06:11:07 · answer #10 · answered by jachooz 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋