Ultrasound question, quick replies needed!

[purplepeaches12]

Okay I'm hoping to get a couple quick answers here since I have an ultrasound tomorrow morning at 9am. My ultrasound tomorrow is my Integrated Prenatal Scan (IPS), which is the one checking for Down Syndrome, Trisomony 18 and other defects. My last ultrasound was a dating one (I happened to be 8weeks) and I had to drink 1 litre of water an hour before and hold my bladder (VERY uncomfortable) and I asked the receptionist at my family doctor if I needed to do the same thing and she said yes. But when I looked at my sheet today it says "IPS, 18-20 weeks routine or later" no preparation required. And pelvic of early pregnancy <10 weeks drink the litre of water. And the office opens at 8 (which is when I have to leave cause its in another city), so I want to know what you guys think? I will be 12 weeks 2 days tomorrow. Do you guys think I have to drink all the water? Did you have to for this ultrasound? I really don't want to if I don't have to, I was uncomfortable and in pain last time, nevermind now. Thanks so much for your help!

[mom2ariana]

i dont think ive ever had a full bladder except when they put a catheter in me for an ultrasound when i visited the er.. totally unnecessary!! but the other u/s i really dont think i had a full bladder im sure its probably not a very big deal!

[purplepeaches12]

Yeah when I went in to have my dating one (I was 8 weeks), I had to do the water thing and it was terrible, I was in pain too. Thats why I was soo glad to not have to drink any water at this one. They say it depends on the eqiupment that they have, I guess I just lucked out with no water needed. 18 weeks would be hard to hold it for that long I would imagine lol

[cherylsangel]

Really? When I called to make my 18 week us appointment they told me I needed to drink 1 litre of water, boo I hated it the first time, I was actually in pain in hurt so bad trying to hold it in

[purplepeaches12]

I went and I didn't have to drink any water, yay! They said anything after 10 weeks and you don't need a full bladder. They actaully tell you to empty it before you go in, so glad!

[cherylsangel]

When i took my part 1 of the IPS test i had to drink 1 litre of water 1 hour before the appointment which is the the same appointment you are going to.

[Melka76]

I personally go to every us with a somewhat full bladder - I do not strive to drink all they ask because my appt are also in another town with heavy traffic... The only one so far I do not need a full bladder are for the vaginal cervix check- any time they are using the belly one I need a full bladder... I usually drink one bottle of water on the way to the appointment and figure it should be good enough... Good Luck

[purplepeaches12]

smjmekg - that is very impressive, im one of those people that just pees alot naturally, and has always had a hard time holding my bladder haha.

yeah when I read on the internet alot of things said it depends on the equipment, and like i said the sheet says to have a full bladder for early pregnancy (less than 10 weeks) and for IPS no prep is needed. so I don't think i'm going to do it. and also I want to be able to enjoy this ultrasound. my last one i just said "hurry up, are you done yet" the whole time and couldnt hold it any longer to even look at it. i dont want that this time.

[30something13]

I have had many since 4 weeks on and never had to have a full bladder! They either need *** to be full or empty. Most perfere empty. I would say that it may be an old machine if they say full!! I woudl not do it and you will be fine. Like I said I had many and at 15 weeks they coudl tell I was having a boy.

[smjmekg]

I had to go for an ultrasound at 20 weeks and had to drink water for it, if they need you to empty your bladder you'll know when you get there, I drank 40 oz and the ultrasound tech told me I was told wrong and it was supposed to be 20 oz, I had to pee twice to empty my bladder enough. I got to my appointment and they told me I was two hours early, and I had to wait there because I could have gotten in sooner, but I didn't. I held peeing for more than three hours!!! I had to go half way through drinking it.

[purplepeaches12]

Thats the problem, my appointment is for 9am, and the office opens at 8, but i'll have to leave at about 730 because its an hour away, i have to get gas, and finding parking down there is rediculous lol. So i won't really be able to call since i'll be driving, and if i start drinking i will be uncomfortable by the time i get there and have a hard time with all the stop and go traffic lol. If it weren't for those I wouldn't be so concerned. I have very bad bladder control and the 2 ultrasounds i've had to have (one for pregnancy, one not) i said it was one of the worst things and truely hated it lol. Maybe I'll just have my boyfriend call and if so I'll bring water and start drinking then, it will be full by the time I get there lol

[PrettyKitty1]

Why don't you start to drink water on the way to the doctor's? If you are required to have a full bladder then that would help. If you don't need it, just go to the bathroom at the office and pee to make yourself comfortable before the u/s. Can you call them before leaving or on your way to the doctor's office to confirm and make sure you do or don't need to have a full bladder?

[purplepeaches12]

I was thinking about that, but the problem is, me holding my bladder for a full hour and while driving (its an hour away) will be VERY hard, so I truely don't want to if I don't need to. I didn't have to drive and I was only 8 weeks and I didn't even bother looking at the ultrasound because I was in pain and just wanted to go to the bathroom, and I really want to be able to see this one and enjoy it. I read on the internet that it depends on the equipment that the hospital has. And I just thought that since on the sheet it says no preparation for IPS is needed that maybe I wouldn't have to?

[msteri]

My doctor didn't require a full bladder for any of my ultrasounds, including the early ultrasound at 6 weeks. The technician was able to obtain all of the necessary measurements for the NT scan where the nuchal fold is measured to test for Down syndrome. Maybe you could drink the requested amount of water to be on the safe side and then ask the technician if it's necessary for you to have a full bladder. If s/he says no, empty your bladder before the exam. If yes, then at least you'll still be ready.

[PrettyKitty1]

When my doctor checked for Down syndrome etc (the so called sequential screening) I had to have a full bladder. I was 12 weeks pregnant.
I had a routine u/s to find out the gender and take a look at the baby's anatomy and did not need a full bladder. Hope this helps.