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Pregnancy

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

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Original poster

do I need a full bladder for 12 weeks scan?

22 replies

duzida · 03/08/2011 09:51

it's my 2nd pregnancy, and I'm going for 12 week scan tomorrow at UCH in London. there was nothing in the letter to say I needed to do anything special, and I've tried ringing to ask, but have been on hold for 20 mins.

I had vague memory from last time of having to drink loads of water first, but I am not sure - maybe that was for a different, non-pregnancy scan? I feel rubbish anyway with morning sickness, not keen to drink x pints of water, but don't want to lose my appointment either because I haven't done it. anyone know the answer? thank you!

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WeLoveHaribo · 03/08/2011 09:53

Yes you do, also we had to give wee sample after scan (don't know if same everywhere)
good luck tomoz x

Cheria · 03/08/2011 09:54

I don't remember being told to have a full bladder during pregnancy scans. Take a small bottle of water with you and drink up if you need to, but I wouldn't worry too much. I needed a kidney ultrasound once and I needed a full bladder for that, but not during pregnancy.

CBear6 · 03/08/2011 09:54

I was specifically told not to have a full bladder, was in bold on the appointment letter.

If you can't get through and you're in doubt have around a half pint of water 30 minutes or so before the appointment. Easier to empty your bladder than fill it.

WeLoveHaribo · 03/08/2011 09:56

Mmm advice differs then!!!
Sonographer commented on how i had a nice full bladder :)
Know drinking too much can affect it too as my friend had to go for wee half way through scan!

Crosshair · 03/08/2011 09:58

I had to have a full bladder, if the baby is in a crap position they ask you to wee to make it move about.

Ellypoo · 03/08/2011 10:15

I had to have a full bladder for my 12-week scan, so I just drank a bottle of water while we were waiting - I couldn't have held it much longer!! Then had to give a sample afterwards too, so it helped for that!!!
A full bladder can help them to see the baby, esp if it is hiding at the back!!!

pozzled · 03/08/2011 10:18

They didn't say anything for either of my 12 week scans. Both times I went to the toilet before going in, I would have found it so uncomfortable to sit through the scan needing the toilet! It wasn't a problem at all.

Africagirl1 · 03/08/2011 10:20

I was told you only need to if you are overweight

Marrow · 03/08/2011 10:22

My letter said that a full bladder is no longer needed.

newartriotstar · 03/08/2011 15:50

I had to have a full bladder for mine but was then told to "half empty" it.

Crosshair · 03/08/2011 15:52

I had the nuchal btw and she had some trouble getting the baby to go on its back for the measurement. Maybe that has something to do with it?

nickelbabe · 03/08/2011 15:53

i was at Madway, and we didn't have to have a full bladder.

basically, i would go under the thought that if you do, you can always swig some water...

nickelbabe · 03/08/2011 15:54

madway??? I meant Medway

MrsBakerNeeld · 03/08/2011 16:00

I had to have a full bladder for 12 week scan, but if in doubt I wouldn't consciously aim for a full bladder but not pee too close to scan if that makes sense?

AchtungBaby · 03/08/2011 16:01

I was told to have a full bladder, but then the clinic was running really late.

I sent DH to tell them that I had to pee , which I did, then I quickly drink lots of water.

AKP79 · 03/08/2011 16:20

My letter clearly stipulated that I needed to have a full bladder for the scan, but when I got there I'd drunk so much water I'd squashed the baby with my overfull bladder!! I then had to half empty my bladder, which when you're dying for a pee is impossible! I would definitely suggest drinking a couple of glasses before you go, but don't overfill! As someone else said, you can always empty it when you're there!

TheWicketKeeperIsDown · 03/08/2011 16:35

Our letter advises me to drink 1 pint an hour before the scan, which is do-able.

moominliz · 03/08/2011 16:39

I had my 12 week scan a week ago and was told on the letter that I needed to drink 1-2 pints of water an hour before the scan

ShowOfHands · 03/08/2011 16:46

I was told to have a full bladder. So I duly drank several glasses of water. And then they were running late. So I asked if I could wee. They said no, just hang on. Two bloody hours later, I was crying with the pain of a v full bladder on top of a swollen uterus. The sonographer said she'd never seen such a full bladder (not sure if I should be proud or ashamed) and sent me out three times to 'let out a bit'. In the end she said just empty it. I weed for about 2 minutes and the scan was easier with an empty bladder. It was painful and in the end, pointless.

Mum2be79 · 03/08/2011 18:28

I was told to have a full bladder - now 18 weeks pregnant with DC1 - so I took the advice. My apointment was 30 minutes late and I felt I was going to go into agonising spasm trying to hold it in! I was relieved but cross when after 5 minutes I was told to empty my bladder so they get a better view! I think my bladder restricted baby's movements because afterwards he/she moved a lot!

I think they give you the advice as most women tend to have better scans on full bladders but obviously not everyone has a uterus that sits in the same place as everyone elses!

Just don't drink gallons like I did. A 500ml bottle over an hour is probbaly okay but remember to go to the loo before you start drinking to 'fill' it.

Sandra2011 · 03/08/2011 18:31

When I had my private NT scan at 12 weeks I didn't need to have full bladder.

When I went to have my 20 week scan at NHS paper said full bladder but I couldn't hold it and went to loo before scan. I had a bit water before the scan but surely my bladder wasn't full but they didn't complain.

Original poster

duzida · 03/08/2011 18:50

thanks for all the replies! I finally got through to hospital (I actually stayed on hold while writing the OP) and they said 'no, you don't need to'. But I remember now that I WAS told to have a full bladder 2 and a half years ago, and that I had to go for a wee half way through! I'd forgotten that, very painful! So don't entirely trust the receptionist to have it right in this case, and I suppose I'll drink some water on the way in, but not to the point of bladder rupture...

I remember that I definitely didn't need to for the 20 week scan, because the baby is much higher up and much bigger by then.

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