Scans and full bladders

[MagpieCursedTea]

I've moved to a different area since having DS and am now pregnant again. I've got my 12 week scan next week and the letter said to come with a full bladder. When I had DS, the letter for the 12 week scan said I didn't need a full bladder.
Does anyone know why it's different in different places? Is it just down to the scanning equipment? Why do some need full bladders whilst others don't?

[bebo100]

Just means the baby is higher up, so they're likely to be able to get a better view.

[Jodie1982]

I've never had a totally full bladder at the 12wk scan. I find it painful and unbearable. I let the sonographer know it's not too full and they're always fine with it. I've had it too full before and was told to empty it. I've also had an 8wk scan without a full one and picture was fine.

[Osirus]

I went to the loo just before my 12 week scan and they called me in 40 mins early! I therefore had a completely empty bladder but they said it would be fine as I wasn't overweight. It was absolutely fine and the picture was clear enough.

[mrsbee2be]

Yep me too, never go with a full bladder as if it makes me feel ill & I have a weird thing about having to have a wee before leave home anyway.
Had my 20 week yesterday after drinking about 1/2 cup of tea and all was fine, I was asked to go for a wee after 10 mins of being there as they couldn't see the baby properly!

[LumpishAndIllogical]

Yeh varies by area. My 12 week scan letter said no need for a full bladder, thankfully!

[eurochick]

It depends on the scanning equipment. The more modern machines don't need a full bladder.

[VocalDuck]

I also think it is easier for sonographers to send you to the loo than to wait for your bladder to fill up sufficiently.

[Boomies]

I'm average weight (size 10 not preggo) and had to empty my bladder at my 12 week scan to have an internal scan due to my uterus tilting backwards and them not being about to get a good transverse picture!

[LegoCaltrops]

I had a full bladder - so fulk they asked me to do a wee! Not sure why. They actually asked me to do half a wee... like it's possible to stop weeing when you've drunk a pint of water & desperate to go. That was never going to work.

[elliej83]

I had my 20 week scan today and after reading this didnt quite drink the recommended amount of water as I thought it wasnt matter... turns out it does!!!

The doctor could tell straight away I didnt have a full bladder as the picture wasn't as clear. A full bladder also pushes the baby to the surface more apparently so its much easier to scan.

She wasnt able to get to see all areas of the baby she needed as it was sat to low. I had to drink more water and sit in the waiting room for 45 mins until it flowed through.

Would therefore recommend following the advice and learning from my mistake!!

[elliej83]

LegoCaltrop The lady before me had to empty a bit too. Apparently its a fine art between pushing the baby to the surface and pushing it so far up it doesnt have much room to move so you cant see all the angles.

[Kariana]

That sound unusual Ellie. I had been to the toilet about ten seconds before I walked into the scan room and there was absolutely no issue at my 20 week scan.

At my 12 week I'd let my bladder fill too much so went to the toilet but didn't completely empty it, although I thought I'd possibly let nearly all of it out. The midwife actually commented on how my bladder was very full when I had the scan 5 minutes later!

I guess it could depend where the baby is sat, mine wasn't that low down for either scan.

[LotsofDots]

Full bladders are requested as pelvic scans generally use the bladder as a window - it pushes the small bowel out of the pelvis, stopping it from getting in the way. It is difficult to get a picture if there is bowel in the way as the US cannot transmit through the gas containing bowel. If you have a normally orientated uterus and are about 12 weeks pregnant it probably isn't necessary due to size and position, but if you are less far on than you thought, or your uterus is tilted it can be necessary, better to have a full bladder and need to empty than have to sit for an hour waiting for it to fill. It is unusual to need a full bladder for a 20w scan.