The Importance Of A Full Bladder For An Ultrasound And How To Avoid Accidents
Getting an ultrasound is an important part of the birth process. Unfortunately, many women have a hard time drinking enough water before one. Even worse, those who do drink enough water may struggle to avoid peeing before the process. Here's what you need to know about this situation.
Why Drinking Water Is So Important For An Ultrasound
Why do women have to drink water before an ultrasound? A full bladder is an important method for ensuring that they get a clear image of the baby. When the bladder is full, it is clearer and easier to see through with ultrasound waves. Offering a less obstructive view of the interior of the body is crucial for obtaining a clear ultrasound reading.
Even if women don't enjoy regularly drinking water, it is important to fill the bladder before treatment. But just how much water is necessary for a filled bladder and a successfully implemented ultrasound reading? Read on to find out.
How Much To Drink Before
The basic process involved in water preparation for an ultrasound are simple. Start by drinking four eight-ounce glasses of water in the hours before an ultrasound. All of this water will easily fill up the bladder and make it easier for ultrasound waves to pass through.
Unfortunately, all that water will make it very difficult for the woman to avoid peeing. If they cannot successfully control their bladder, they may end up complicating their ultrasound. Thankfully, there are bladder control techniques they can learn to help manage this issue.
Avoiding Accidents
For a successful ultrasound, it is important to avoid urinating. This can be easier said than done. Pregnant women who just drank over a gallon of water may find it very difficult to hold their urine. However, the bladder retraining technique can be a useful way of avoiding this problem. It will help train a woman to learn how to hold their urine.
This technique requires going to the bathroom every 15 minutes during the hour to gauge how often the person has to pee. The bladder may void regardless of how much water is inside. Increase the length between bathroom breaks to train the bladder to hold urine more effectively. Doing so will make it possible to avoid serious problems during an ultrasound.
Thankfully, an ultrasound should take no more than 15-30 minutes or so. After it is finished, most ultrasound rooms have a bathroom where the woman can urinate. As this is likely not their last ultrasound, it is important to master these techniques for later visits.
For more information on ultrasounds, check out a company like EVDI Medical Imaging.