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Pregnancy

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Original poster

how much water to drink before scan

16 replies

Jods1 · 05/02/2012 14:34

Hi everyone,

Have had date for 12 week scan, and they haven't said in the letter if you should have a fullish bladder for the scan. I always thought you had to drink loads of the stuff so they got a good picture. So should you drink a lot of water before 12 week scan?

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kohl · 05/02/2012 14:39

Drink enough for a fullish bladder but my advice is not to overdo it - I drank about a litre and a half for a good picture and was so uncomfortable during the scan (we weren't seen until 30mins after the appt time) the sonographer made me go for a 'half a wee' (which is a bit difficult to judge at the best of times, not least when you're half crippled with nausea, trying to hold your jeans up and covered in jelly.....)

belgo · 05/02/2012 14:40

If it doesn't say anything, then I wouldn't worry about it. I didn't need to drink anything for any of my scans.

SeriouslyStrongCheddar · 05/02/2012 15:11

I drank a pint of orange juice and hour before. Baby was dancing away like if was in Saturday Night Fever and was quite hard to measure! I would recommend if you do drink, you stay away from anything with sugar in it!

SeriouslyStrongCheddar · 05/02/2012 15:11

that should be 'an' not 'and'. D'oh.

llamallama · 05/02/2012 15:16

I wouldn't worry about it to much & just try to be comfortable.

I drank loads before mine but ended up waiting in the waiting room for ages! I couldn't cope any more so left to have a wee. As expected my name was called as I was in the loo completely emptying my bladder!

Still got fab scan pics though! Baby was easy to see & measure, was moving around etc! So it didn't seem to actually matter!

danielou · 05/02/2012 15:19

Drink water about half hour before scan I didn't drink a lot because of ms :( but they managed 2 get good pics and measurements. Just drink enough 2 make u need a wee (doesn't take me much) just so your confortable. Agree with others don't over do it.

Joygirl78 · 05/02/2012 16:31

For my 12 week scan it purposefully said you do not need to have a full bladder for the scan.

fuckityfuckfuckfuck · 05/02/2012 16:35

I wouldn't drink a drop more than usual til you're in the waiting room. Sods law says they'll be running late and you'll be fit to burst.

oikopolis · 05/02/2012 16:37

Have a pint or so of water an hour before, I had two pints (on sonographer's advice) and my bladder was too full. I had to "let some out" in the loo down the hall and then come back... weeing and then stopping before your bladder is empty is so uncomfortable!

Kayzr · 05/02/2012 16:38

The letter I got for mine said to drink 2 pints. It was awful. I have my 20 week scan tomorrow and have to drink a pint.

fuckityfuckfuckfuck · 05/02/2012 16:42

Kayzr you shouldn't have to drink anything extra at all for the 20 week scan, maybe unless it's a high BMI related thing? My 20 week scan specifically said there was no need to drink more than usual.

Bibbo · 05/02/2012 16:44

you don't have to drink anything. being pregnant you hardly have to wait 5 minutes until your bladder fills up anyway! i remember my first scan, i took them seriously when they said 'full bladder' and i was really popping. then it was an hour late and I was sitting there sweating, in agony, feeling as though my bladder was about to rupture! then the sonographer said my bladder was too full and it was squashing my uterus... i will never make that mistake again....

Kayzr · 05/02/2012 17:49

It might be. My bmi was 30 when I got pregnant but I am about 3 stone lighter than I was with DS2 and didn't have to drink any extra with him.

That's if I get there. Stinky snow!

IHeartIona · 05/02/2012 17:52

For both my scans they told me to go and empty bladder when o arrived at reception

PrincessMango · 05/02/2012 18:17

Our sonographer said it is an old standard letter that says 2 pints, and she asks most ppl to empty some out. So I had a big glass half hour before and was fine.

Then at a 16 week scan didn't drink any, perfect picture. 20 wk scan letter has come through saying 2 pints again and I plan to ignore it!

Wrigglebum · 05/02/2012 19:21

Most waiting rooms have a water dispenser, or take a bottle of water. Then you can ask the receptionist how long it's likely to be until your appointment so you can empty or refill as appropriate.
The sonographer who did my 12 week scan doesn't like doing them when the mums have a full bladder so I got to go and pee, what a relief it was!

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