Ultrasound .... Do Any Tricks Work to Get Baby Moving? :)

Updated on July 12, 2013
C.M. asks from Chicago, IL
18 answers

I have my 20week ultrasound tomorrow and we really want to learn the sex! With my daughter, it was hard to see so they couldn't tell us. Are there any tricks to maybe getting the baby to move around a lot so they can get a good look? :)

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So What Happened?

Thanks for all the great advice! I drank cold water and just a little bit of juice. Didn't want baby to move around too much. They were able to tell.....it's a boy!! :) so excited :)

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A.K.

answers from Bloomington on

Be careful getting baby , too active. We didn't want to know sex of last baby & tech was relieved. She said baby was moving too much to get a good look. All my babies have moved really great with really cold OJ.

2 moms found this helpful

M.D.

answers from Washington DC on

I had to do non-stress tests with all of my babies towards the end and I always brought a bowl of strawberries with me. Healthy sugars worked best for my little ones.

1 mom found this helpful

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K.B.

answers from Philadelphia on

Mine were active so I didn't have that problem but you can push around your stomach. I've heard some drink a can of pop before with caffeine to get them active but that's up to you, lol.

K. B
mom to 5 including triplets

2 moms found this helpful
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E.M.

answers from Phoenix on

Sugar and/or caffeine should work. Be sure to ingest it about 30 minutes before the appointment. If that doesn't do it, you can also try a bright flashlight (like LED) against your belly. Kind of sounds mean, but they tend to move away from bright light. You can also try getting down on all fours if the wee one is uncooperative- that usually shifts things around a bit :)

2 moms found this helpful

C.C.

answers from San Francisco on

Your post reminds me of when I was pregnant with my first. I went for my 20 week ultrasound, and the baby was sideways AND backwards, so they couldn't tell! I was so sad! My insurance wouldn't pay for another ultrasound. So... I called a friend of mine who is a veterinary surgeon. (You can see where this is going, right?) I went to her office, laid on the table where they do the large animal surgeries, and she used her ultrasound machine. In case you ever need to know this, the "large dog" setting works better than the "bovine" setting for this purpose. Anyway, the baby was still sideways and backwards, so we didn't find out at the vet's office, either. Turns out it was a girl. A very stubborn girl. ;)

If it makes you feel any better, baby #2 turned out to be much more cooperative! She was facing forward, head down, legs apart - it was very easy to tell she was a girl! So maybe with your baby #2 you'll be just as lucky!

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M.H.

answers from Minneapolis on

A little bit of caffeine works, but it can also backfire. With my first, I had 1/2 cup of tea or so to get him moving. Turns out he was already an active one and he was doing flips. They couldn't find his kidneys he was moving so much and it got kind of scary for a while. He ended up a healthy (thank goodness) and VERY active baby/child/teenager. Good luck!

2 moms found this helpful
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L.M.

answers from Reno on

We did Mountain Dew and chocolate. It worked for both of my 3-D ultrasounds! Yeah, I know, caffeine and sugar are supposed to be avoided, but desperate times call for desperate measures! lol

2 moms found this helpful
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D.P.

answers from Minneapolis on

I've heard the same....water and OJ! Water so they can see better and OJ gets them moving!

1 mom found this helpful
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G.♣.

answers from Springfield on

I would imagine Mountain Dew or Chocolate really would do the trick!

My cousin told me to drink apple juice. It's what the doctor told me to drink towards the end when you might need to do kick counts. I figured if it works then, why not for that 20 week ultra-sound.

I wouldn't blame you if you did try the Mountain Dew and chocolate. But juice will probably do the trick.

1 mom found this helpful
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K.B.

answers from Detroit on

Any kind of cold drink, or anything sugary, got my daughter moving!

1 mom found this helpful
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K.H.

answers from Phoenix on

With my first, they couldn't tell right away so the ultrasound tech had me stand up and do a few toe touches. It worked!

1 mom found this helpful

X.O.

answers from Chicago on

I always hit the Starbucks drive-thru on my way to the OB, since I have to do frequent non-stress tests to check for adequate fetal movement. After sitting there for weeks sucking on lollipops that took forever to get into my bloodstream, I tried some sweetened caffeine, and that has worked like a charm.

1 mom found this helpful

R.R.

answers from Los Angeles on

My daughter was told to drink ice water to get him moving, but then he wouldn't stop. So they thought he was a she until a few months later when they got a clear shot.

1 mom found this helpful
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B..

answers from Dallas on

My son was a ninja warrior in my belly, so I didn't have that problem. I did hear my OB mention to someone else, ice cold water or OJ.

1 mom found this helpful
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M.M.

answers from Dallas on

oj and chocolate got mine moving every time!

1 mom found this helpful
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M.G.

answers from Seattle on

On top of drinking lots of water if you're able to drink some orange juice as well.

1 mom found this helpful

C.O.

answers from Washington DC on

CM:

I didn't need to know the sex...when I was pregnant with my boys? my voice got REALLY deep and I had hair on my chin!! It was hilarious!! I would answer the phone and people would ask for my husband, I would say "I'm his wife, can I help you?" they would say "oooohhhh...okay...I understand." I would laugh and say - NO REALLY!! I'm a W. - I'm pregnant!! When I was pregnant with a girl? My voice got all high, my hair grew and my nails grew...

If you are truly interested in finding out the sex? Orange Juice usually does the trick!

Congrats and good luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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V.T.

answers from Washington DC on

My OB recommended Dr. Pepper, of course that was in Texas where Dr. Pepper is king. I went with Coke instead and it really got my kids moving.

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