Why do you need to drink water before taking an ultrasound?

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The reason for this is that the fluid in the bladder creates a “window” for the beam to pass through. (This provides a good medium for sound conduction.) It also serves as a “landmark” for the technician to get their bearings, so to speak. In addition, a full bladder can change the position of the uterus, taking the flexion out of it and pushing it up so it is easier to scan. A full bladder also moves loops of bowel up and out of the way to make the pelvic organs easier to view.

Aside; if you cheat, because all that fluid is hard on the bladder, the technicians will then force several more glasses of water down you in situ. After the test, be prepared to run to the toilet.. Once I had to stop on the way home and pee (again) in the woods because that fluid just kept filling up bladder.

For all the reasons Babygalll said. However I’ve never had to drink fluids from an ultrasound during pregnancy. Thank goodness, because I think it would be very uncomfortable to drink that much while pregnant and then have someone pressing on your belly.

I depends what kind of ultrasound you are going in. As per my study there are 2 types : abdominal & pelvic. If you are going for the abdominal ultrasound, then drinking lots of water is not required. Where as in a pelvic ultrasound one requires to drink at least 40 ounces of water one hour prior the appointment time. As the full bladder will help to see the pelvic organs (i.e. uterus, ovaries or prostate) clearly.