We ask our moms to be to double up on their water intake the entire week before an ultrasound.
Many times, moms think this means a full bladder; it does not.
To obtain a 3D/4D ultrasound, our waves need to travel through the fluid. More fluid in front of baby’s face means better quality of pictures. If a baby is right up against the placenta or the side of the uterus, the waves have to travel through these too and back from the face, causing a cloudy look.
It usually takes 2-4 days for fluid to reach the uterus from drinking, which is why we ask that you increase the water intake the ENTIRE week before. Last-minute water binging doesn’t help. Please note, that just because a “magic pocket” of fluid is not in front of baby’s face, it DOES NOT mean the actual fluid is low. Many times, your tiny human is in such a way that the fluid is not in front of his/her face. So doubling your water helps to give the greatest chance at having the magic fluid pocket in front of the face.
It is always a good idea to stay hydrated while growing your tiny human regardless if you are having an ultrasound or not.
