ultrasounds and a "full" bladder

[FiddleFit]

So, in the course of my pregnancies thus far I have had a total of 11 ultrasounds (and baby #2 never even made it past the first trimester, and this one is only half way through!). Every single time I've gone for an u/s I'm told that my bladder is too full, and I'm told to empty between 2 to 5 cups of urine. Now, the instructions I'm always given are to empty my bladder 90 minutes prior to the u/s, and to ingest 1 litre (4 cups) of water by 60 minutes prior. This is what I do, and it always makes me "too full." My last two u/s's I've actually emptied my bladder 45 minutes before the appointment, and ingested the 1 litre of water 30 minutes prior. And I'm still told to let some out! Yesterday I was told to empty 5 cups of urine.....and I'd only ingested 4!! And this still left enough urine in my bladder to perform the u/s!

I asked a technician if I have a small bladder, and she laughed and said "NO!!". So, does this happen to anyone else, and does anyone know why this happens to me? I'm getting the impression that I don't even need to drink water before an u/s! It seems to just magically appear, regardless!

Cheers,
Sandra

 

[kristi]

RE: ultrasounds and a

Not sure what is happening. I've had 4 ultrasounds, soon to be 5 next week, total with both pregnancies and no one has ever told me I needed to have a full bladder or to drink anything before. I'm wondering if it is the kind of equipment that they have that needs someone to have a semi-full bladder. Just wondering outloud. Maybe you have hit on something by not drinking anything before another ultrasound if they keep making you empty your bladder anyway.

 

[lindzebird]

RE: ultrasounds and a

Generally, they ask you to have a full bladder because (and someone correct me if I am wrong) it's easier to see the baby through a full bladder. That said, I've lost count of how many ultrasounds I've had for this pregnancy and for almost all of them they didn't request a full bladder. Now, that may be because when I was having the ultrasounds I was further along (18+ weeks). I have never had a tech tell me that my bladder wasn't full enough and I have also been allowed to empty it when it was too full (mostly for my comfort). I just drink how I normally do (which is a lot, especially during pregnancy) and don't worry too much about having a full bladder...there have been times where I've been uncomfortable and used the restroom just prior to the ultrasound and there hasn't been any problems. I hope all goes well with your upcoming exams!

Lindzebird

 

[wendymin72]

RE: ultrasounds and a

I have had 2 ultrasounds....the first I didn't have to have a full bladder at all. The second I did but was told that if at some point I just can't hold it anymore I could partially empty it...I think I remember the technician saying that (for whatever reason)a full bladder makes the baby more active and easier to see...

~Wendy~

I smoked my last cigarette on March 17, 2004 at 10:00 pm!

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EDD: 05/19/05