3D - 2

I'm going for my 20 week, 4d Ultrasound on Thursday. Why do I need to drink alot of water?

The receptionist reminded me today that I need to come to my appointment with a full bladder, and that I was to drink plenty of water. Why is a full bladder neccesary for the 4d ultrasound, is this also with any type of ultrasound. Thanks.

Public Comments

1. its so they can tell where your bladder is because its located so close to your uterus
2. A full bladder will push the baby out of your pelvis, makes it easier to see smaller babies.
3. Maybe a full bladder helps move the baby into an "easier to access" site.
4. ANY ultrasound hun, it raises the uterus so they can get a better look.
5. i didn't need to drink water...my bladder was full all the time. almost pee'd on the table..LOL
6. its with any type of ultrasound. It is easier to see what the doctor needs to see when your bladder is full.
7. Meg d: thats sh!t, everyone knows where your bladder is, doctors dont need to look at your bladder! fool. its so the womb is pushed into a better position to be able to scan the baby.
8. My friend had one of these. I think the water inside you helps the ultrasound waves vibrate more (i.e. clearer picture)
9. For some machines a full bladder will act as a 'magnifying glass', and help the imaging resolution be more clear. It is not needed with every ultrasound, ( thank good because I had routine ones every 2 weeks til birth! ). I believe it also helps lift the uterus out of the pelvic bone and causes baby to be a bit more active. The lil beans hate having pressure on them so they will wiggle every which way they can to escape it.
10. yeah you need to have a full blabber for some reason it makes the picture clearer. yes again it is with any type of ultrasound scan its a bit uncomfy because they press on your bladder and your dying to have a wee , but it is worth it good luck with the rest of your pregnancy
11. A full bladder gives the technician an easy starting point. This is true for any female uterine and pelvic ultrasound. If you are having an internal ultrasound (magic wand with some lube and a condom on it) they will have you empty your bladder, the reason being they are inside as apposed to going through skin and fascia and muscle. This is for pregant and non pregnant women.
12. A full bladder is necessary so that it might not be misinterpreted as the fetus/baby. As for you, you're still 5 months pregnant and the baby is very small, just like the size of your bladder when half filled. I suggest that you drink water the time you'll leave your house so that you will not have the urge to urinate while the ultrasound is going on.
13. yea, you need a full bladder with any type of ultrasound. They are to get a better view of the baby with a full bladder. They doc will explain exactly how it works if you ask him/her to, but basically it just helps them get a better image of the baby.
14. this is directly from the pamphlet they gave me before i went in for my ultrasound: A full bladder is very important. The bladder functions as a "window" to see the pelvic organs which are located behind the bladder. A full bladder aslo pushes the bowel out of the way of the ultrasound waves.
15. Makes the baby and your cervix easier to see