26 weeks - do I need a full bladder for a scan?

[arolf]

I was out of the country for the first 20 weeks of my pregnancy, so had all the early scans/tests done overseas. I've got my first appointment in the UK today, and have been told I will have a scan as it's a booking-in appointment. The generic letter from the hospital said I need a full bladder for it - do I really? Like I say, I'm 26 weeks now (nearly 27), and I think baby is a decent enough size to be seen by the technician without being pushed up by a full bladder (which baby seems exceptionally keen on kicking, hard, all the time...).

I'm just worried as at my 20 week scan in the States, they were running late, and I ended up with 1.5 litres of fluids accumulating and sitting in my bladder for 2 hours - I was in tears by the time they started scanning me! I'm a bit worried that this being the NHS the wait will be even longer, and although it's pathetic of me, am dreading it!

Any ideas? I don't want to call the clinic with such a trivial matter

[Heated]

I can remember not being sure and went with a full bladder at 20 weeks, almost wet myself, only to be told by the sonographer it wasn't necessary! For subsequent scans at 26 and 34 weeks I didn't bother.

[namechangerforareason]

Hi.

I had private gender scan at 27 weeks and didnt need full bladder for it. Sonographer said that baby was big enough to see without needing full bladder to "push him out a bit" sounds like as you say its technically a booking in appt they have sent the generic booking in letter to advise of need for full bladder for earlyish abdominal scan.

If your not sure phone the hospital, they wont mind!

Hope it all goes well and so sory for your experiences with 20 week scan in USA

[charitygirl]

No, baby is massive by now so they'll be able to see it anyway!

[arolf]

thank you - I was hoping that would be the answer! don't think I could cope with train journey there, and walk to the hospital with a full bladder - it's just so sodding uncomfortable!

[namechangerforareason]

Hopefully you wont have a long wait for your scan, We only got 1 scan where I live (glasgow) so only had NHS scan at 13 weeks hence the private scan at 27.
We were seen within 20 mins of appt time so hope your seen as quick too!

[melissa75]

I had a scan at 24 weeks and did not have to have full bladder, as baby is big enough for sonographer to see without. I struggle with bladder issues anyway, so I told them when they tried to tell me to have a full bladder that it was not going to happened...and my GP tried to argue it with me, but then at scan all was well, so do not worry, just drink what you would normally have...and try not to go toilet just before scan...but don't overdo it, you have enough pressure on your bladder with baby pressing on it, you do not need extra with adding excess liquid to the mix!

[bethoo]

no full bladder required though being pregnant chances are you will have one anyway

[Trikken]

got my scan today and the letter def says you dont need a full bladder. yay

[alana39]

I even had to empty bladder during scan (not literally, they let me out of the room ) so that they could get a better view of whether the placenta was low. Letter from the hospital still said you needed a full bladder and apparently they have only just changed it after lots of complaints.

[JetLi]

My hospital said they needed a full bladder. I was bursting and the sonographer said it was needed for the placenta or cord check (one or the other - can't remember which) so she did that bit first, let me go pee, and then completed the rest. HTH