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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

First Scan

16 replies

LouisaJF · 15/05/2011 11:32

I have my first scan on Tuesday (can't wait) but havenot received any confirmation or instructions from the hospital. Should I have done?

Neither the hospital or midwife have given me any information about the scan, such as drinking water beforehand. I have had to rely on my friend for this. Is there anything else I should know before I go?

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aurorastargazer · 15/05/2011 11:35

congratulations
erm from what i can remember, a little over 6 years ago, make sure you take your notes with you, drink a fair bit of water - this is so the scan picture is clearer i think, take some money with you in case your hospital charges for the pictures, take some tissues with you for when you see baby is this your first scan?

OppositeOfBlooming · 15/05/2011 11:41

How do you know you have your scan if you have no confirmation of it?

They generally ask you to arrive 15 or 20 minutes beforehand so that they can take your notes and hand them over to the ultrasound people, you can then sit in the waiting room nursing a plastic cup of too cold water from the dispensing machine, jiggling because your bladder aches and staring at other pregnant women who all look rather serene and blooming.

Then they'll scan you. The pressure of the wand whatsit on your full bladder is an endurance task and occasionally for kicks they will ask you to let out 'half a wee'. Which is impossible when pregnant.

Seriously, it's lovely. You don't need to drink a huge amount or your bladder can end up too full. Sip a pint of water over the half hour/hour leading to your appointment and enjoy seeing your baby for the first time. And yes, money for the photos is probably necessary.

bemybebe · 15/05/2011 12:04

Keep in mind that hospital equipment is different and some modern machines do not need you with full bladder. Our hospitals actually asks for empty bladder for the scan, which was annoying for me holding it in for 30mins only to be told to empty it all (sorry tmi).

pozzled · 15/05/2011 12:08

I never bothered with the full bladder for any of my scans and never had a problem. If I'd tried to drink lots before hand I'd only have needed to go to the loo, especially if there was a long wait! The sonographers didn't say anything. There's nothing else you need to do or have ready, just your notes.

Hope all goes well!

OppositeOfBlooming · 15/05/2011 12:10

I had my 12wk scan a couple of months ago with brand new machinery and they were still advising a full bladder. The ultrasound tech said they only do it now because you don't actually know how far along you are and sometimes it can help to have everything pushed up a bit by the bladder if you're not as far on as you think. And it's easier to ask you to empty you bladder than wait for you to fill it.

I had to go for a wee three times letting out a bit at a time. Third time she said, just empty it. It was hard work. I was very surprised how much better the machines are now. DD is only 4 and I thought it was impressive before. This time round I actually saw DS having a wee inside me. That's a story for his 18th birthday.

aurorastargazer · 15/05/2011 12:13

goodnightmoon · 15/05/2011 12:15

you do not fill your bladder for an early scan. It's definitely empty bladder.

Original poster

LouisaJF · 15/05/2011 12:17

Thanks very much. It is my first scan.

I was with the midwife when she called the hospital and booked the appointment, but have not received any other confirmation. I think I will ring the hospital myself tomorrow to double check.

OP posts:

OppositeOfBlooming · 15/05/2011 12:37

goodnightmoon, my first scan was 8 weeks ago and it was definitely full bladder expected.

Louisa, probably best to ring them, confirm, ask about your bladder storage requirements etc. Enjoy it.

candr · 15/05/2011 12:39

Take a drink for after scan as is warm in the room, make sure you wear clothes that you do not mind getting gel on as it is a bit messy (don't wear a dress) and NOTES, they will ask you to fill bits in and I had to be weighed and have bloods done. Did not need full bladder for scan but did need £5 in coins to get a token in the lobby for the pics. Good luck, it is amazing xxx

gallicgirl · 15/05/2011 12:45

Definitely ask about drinking water as I drank best part of a litre on a boiling hot day and then had to wait 30 minutes and it wasn't necessary!!!! Ouch!

Ask about paying for photos too. Are they going to do a nuchal fold scan at the same time? If so, think about whether you want this done or not as you will have to say at the outset if you don't.

jamama · 15/05/2011 18:44

I think confirmation etc., is locally dependent - I called to book my appt myself as I moved relatively recently to area, never been to hosp here and therefore needed a new unit number generating before MW could refer; I was getting distressed re:lack of confirmation so called and it was in the books (10m earlier than agreed ), but was all fine.
Two things to remember: leave enough time to get parking if you're driving - we had to almost sprint across the hospital site, and there will be waiting, so probably fine just to bring a small bottle of water and sip whilst you sit.

lolajane2009 · 15/05/2011 19:37

I wwasn't told to have a full bladder and only drank a bit but thanks to pregnancy issues i managed to be bursting once and went to the toilet before the scan and still got told by the sonographer during the scan as I was rather overly full.

Isthreetoomany · 15/05/2011 22:18

I have mine tomorrow morning. I have a letter saying to drink a pint of water before I leave home. And I was given a sheet to fill in to consent to the nuchal testing, but I guess in some areas maybe you just fill that in when you get there. Good luck, hope yours goes well x

TheFantasticFixit · 15/05/2011 23:37

Oh so exciting! My scan is on Wednesday and I can't wait!

I had my scan confirmed at my booking in appt and they wrote it on my notes etc - they have told me to have a full bladder as well, and that we need £4 in £ coins for photos.

Good luck and enjoy it - and do come back and tell us how it has gone!

aurorastargazer · 16/05/2011 09:22

i'm so excited for you all

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