Why drink SO much before some Ultrasounds?

[Hunnybear]

The reason you need to drink various amounts depending on what kind of ultrasound you are having depends on the location of where they are trying to visualize, especially in relation to your bladder. Your bladder gets in the way of things a lot when it is empty, and shows as white on the ultrasound because the sound waves hit it and bounce back and show as a white area. The whiter the areas, the more dense.

When your bladder is full of water, the liquid absorbs the sound waves and they don't bounce back and therefore it shows as white.

All this info as well as bladder size variability all lead to the various amounts!

Hope that helps

 

[1sttimemama2b]

Thanks HunnyBear, makes sense now. How did you become such an expert on ultrasound?

 

[Hunnybear]

I'm a forensic anthropologist and we sometimes utilize different methods such as ultrasounds or radiographs (X-rays).

 

[lov3hat3]

Ive only had my first scan but they wanted me to drink a pint of water, i had to do this twice cos i threw the first lot up lol. But then we got there and had to wait an hour and i felt like i was gonna die! and then the baby was being lazy so the woman was pressing REAL hard on my bladder tryna get it to move around, in the end they kept making me empty it to get the baby moving, and the scan picture was actually clearer then when i had a full bladder. I think the only reason they make you drink so much is to get a clearer picture x

 

[lizi]

I had to EMPTY my bladder for my scan!!!

they said that was because it made baby too hyper and they wouldnt be able to take measures. also they said having a full bladder might make it easier for them but it makes the woman stupidly uncomfortable. (i think they had to many ladies peeing on the table LOL)

 

[riokayak]

She had me go the bathroom 2 separate times today!

 

[mumoffive]

Well i havent had my first scan yet and have it on friday, despite being nearly 15wks! I asked them when i phoned them if i needed a full bladder and she said no????? How come then? I have ALWAYS had to have a full bladder at my first u/s. She knows its my first scan as i said it to her..and she didnt know how many weeks i am so how come? Anyone know?

 

[alilou151]

Flick I feel your pain I had my scan last week & I drank a pint & a half as directed an hour before. Unfortunately I live in a village & its all country roads to the hospital so by the time I got there & had been bouncing around in the car for 40 mins, waited 15mins I was in SOOOOOO much pain I couldve swamped the floor! I never want to feel that way again!! so next time Ill take a small bottle in the car & drink on the way! Got a clear pic though!