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1018329 tn?1448980165

Confused about drinking so much water before 20 week ultrasound

I am a mom of 4 and pregnant with my 5th. My oldest is 15 and back then when you got an ultrasound you had to drink a lot of water. My next child is now 5 and along with my other two that are younger than him, when I got my ultrasound done I didn't have to drink a ton of water before I went. We have since moved and I do have a new doctor. That means I have to go to a specialist for my ultrasound. They gave me directions to drink a lot of water before the ultrasound again. I understand why I have to drink so much water. Does this mean I am going to people that aren't as experienced, although they are "specialist"? Or am I going to a place that hasn't updated their ultrasound machines in a couple decades? Anyone else know what causes this kind of preparation or not?
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Avatar universal
I think drinking a lot of water before an ultrasound improves the chance of getting a good ultrasound. And some people don't drink enough so they tell everyone to drink a lot. I go to a fairly new practice and they told me to drink at least 16oz an hour before coming in.
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Avatar universal
I was told it makes for clearer ultrasound and makes it easier to measure your cervix
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Avatar universal
No, it's not that they don't know what they're doing. Depending on the type of machine/equipment they have it is more helpful for you to drink water beforehand. Sometimes even with the newer machines that can see well,  people still practice things the old way and are used to telling patients certain things. Also, depending too in your body type, it will help them see certain structures better. And by that I don't mean the baby. I mean u. I'm petite but even for me I had to really pee beforehand n didn't think anything of it so I went and when I was called the technician said she would have been able to see my cervix better had my bladder need full. So she used the vaginal ultrasound which they charged me an extra $100 for
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
My ultrasound tech said they needed to look at my bladder as well as the baby so my bladder had to be full
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Avatar universal
Having a full bladder helps elevate your uterus,  so it isn't hidden in your bladder or bowels.  This makes the picture much clearer.  
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645220 tn?1233764146
It also depends on how far along you are.  Early on in pregnancy a full bladder is necessary or they will do the internal. They still might do an internal if certain structures can not be seen. Further along in pregnancy having a full bladder is not necessary
Helpful - 0

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