ultrasound poll....caffeine??

[evjolin]

soooo....we are having our first (and hopefully only) ultrasound today (18 weeks). i know i need to have a full bladder (isn't it ALWAYS full???) but am debating between drinking caffeine to make sure the baby moves a bit vs. just seeing what happens. we want to find out the sex. i have had small bits of caffeine here and there, and i think it's fine at this point.....not worried about it. just wondering what other mamas did! thanks!

[chai]

My OB office actually does not require a full bladder, so you should be sure about that. I didn't have caffeine for mine, and he moved plenty because he didn't like the ultrasound! (Kept hiding from it.)

[staceychev]

I always heard that you didn't need a full bladder for the later u/s because your uterus is big enough.

My little one moved around fine without caffeine.

[AliciaP8]

I didn't need a full bladder either. The OB commented that our baby was "very active" but I didn't have any caffeine. I don't think she liked the ultrasound.

[jecombs]

My MWs office also has never said anything about having a full bladder when I go in for u/s. Maybe your doc has older u/s equipment or something?

I would not use caffeine to stimulate the baby. If he/she is sleeping and you want to see movement, I'd try some juice. Just bring a juice box and drink it while they're doing the u/s. The tech will actually appreciate it if the baby is still while they're doing the measurements. My DS was all over the place and it took FOREVER to get everything measured.

[Oztok5]

I didn't want to do caffeine, so I decided to drink one of those single serving orange juice bottles on the drive there - just something with some sugar to wake him up.


As far as the bladder thing goes, I know the hospital here they request that you have a full bladder if you're under 20 weeks.

[evjolin]

yeah, they DO request a full bladder. it has to do with not wanting pockets of air between the uterus and bladder, which can distort the sound waves and produce an unclear image (from mayo clinic guide to healthy pregnancy).

juice is a good idea :-) gracias!

[mediumcrunch]

You probably don't need to have a full bladder (or shouldn't). An 18 week uterus is perfectly viewable with a modern U/S machine sans full bladder.

I wouldn't drink caffeine as that can raise the babies heart rate and possible create PVC's (rare but possible) which could result in further tests and thinking there was something wrong with the baby when all it is is a little over stimulated.
Now drinking something sweet like a big cup of OJ might be beneficial. The sugar will probably get the baby up enough that they are awake and moving for the u/s but not jazzed up on caffeine.

[belltree]

I never had to have a full bladder for pregnancy related US. And I wouldn't to the caffeine either. Some babies get so hyper from it, that the technichian will have a hard time measuring things.

[matthia]

I know for my ultrasound I am required to have a full bladder AND they specifically stated that I have to stick to CLEAR liquids....no milk, no orange juice, nothing that isn't clear. Why? I have no idea. I'm in Canada so I'm not sure if we have some weird different rules, or maybe it's just my ultrasound clinic? They also said any failure to comply with their list of rules (also included not wearing anything scented to the office, specific amounts of liquid depending on how far along I am, and I have to arrive 20 mintes before the appointment) my ultrasound could be cancelled.

so, maybe my ultrasound office is just insanely anal....?

[MaerynPearl]

the perfume could be solely due to the techs allergies. I have had an appointment to have my eyes checked and was asked not to wear anything scented. When i questioned it they said that the doctor had severe asthma and that was the only reason.

[lisalulu]

I never had to have a full bladder. In fact, I specifically remember peeing before the u/s last time!

With my first I didn't drink anything beforehand and we were able to see gender fine. With my second, I happened to get a coffee beforehand (not for any reason) and he seemed the same-not overly active my any means. And I usually get a double latte.

[Sorin]

I was not told to have a full bladder when doing the ultrasound. In fact, mid-scan the tech had me go to the bathroom so that she could get the baby to change positions so that she could scan the brain better (apparently, her head was way down in my pelvis). Peeing did the trick! Upon my return, she was able to get some really nice images of both hemispheres.

[etsdtm99]

i was told with both of mine to have a full bladder (drink 32 oz,, yeah right!)

I voted caffeine but really i was thinking a little OJ or soda, not coffee... i usually had some coke before my u/s just something to make sure the baby was awake and moving..

both times i got no where near the 32 oz and the u/s tech both times sent me to the bathroom after seeing how full my bladder was.. she knew i was uncomfortable!