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Original poster

20 week scan - full bladder?

14 replies

Futterby · 14/06/2013 20:11

I've got my 20 week scan in a month (counting the days Grin) and my hospital doesn't actually send you out a letter for them. They just write your appointment in your notes for you. I didn't think to ask at my 12 week scan and it's really bothering me that I don't know! Do you need a full bladder at 20 weeks?

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50shadesofbrown · 14/06/2013 20:16

Can you ring & ask the clinic? I think at 20 weeks, holding a full bladder for long is likely to be a problem. IIRC the full bladder at 12 weeks is to help them find the baby more easily - much less of an issue at 20 weeks.

igirisu · 14/06/2013 20:19

I had a scan at 37 weeks and still needed a full bladder, HOWEVER! I forgot I needed a full bladder for my 20 week scan and had a wee just before i went in and still got a great photo and sonographer found everything with no problems so I'm not sure how much difference it makes to be honest! I think it may just make it easier for the sonographer but not sure.

Original poster
Futterby · 14/06/2013 20:20

I didn't want to take up the line for something trivial when someone might really need it but I will nearer the time :) thank you :)

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Original poster
Futterby · 14/06/2013 20:21

X posts :p that's great, cheers!

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TrudyW · 14/06/2013 20:30

I had my 20week scan today and on my letter it said I had to drink a pint of water 1 hour before appointment time. I always drink less tho as mine is always so full when I drink the recommended amount that its too painful! And have sometimes been asked to go have a wee as its too full!

cantdecideonanewname · 14/06/2013 21:36

I'd phone up the clinic to check as it seems to vary.

On my 20 week letter it said to drink at least a liter of water 1 hour before scan, when I got there the sonographer asked if I was ok because I was walking strangely, so I said it was because I needed to wee really badly and she said to go to the toilet as she didn't need my bladder to be full.

Lydia161290 · 14/06/2013 23:28

When I went for my 20 week scan, I didn't have a full bladder and the sonographer wasn't able to complete the scan because the baby kept hiding and he just wasn't in a great position for her to make her checks.

I had to get re-scanned two weeks later and she told me to come back with a full bladder! Came back with a bladder ready to burst and they were able to complete the scan.

Sluggers · 14/06/2013 23:54

My hospital letter was very specific. 1 pint of water or squash an hour before the scan.

Then in bold capitals:

"FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THESE INSTRUCTIONS COULD RESULT IN LENGTHY DELAYS"

I couldn't actually believe they would talk to patients like that!!

Anyway, I did exactly what they said (too scared not to!) And when I got there the midwife specifically commented how full my bladder was and that it wasn't really necessary....

jacquiemccloy · 15/06/2013 02:51

I have my 20 week in 4 weeks also Smile! Don't worry too much about the bladder thing, with my 12 week scan I was so nervous/excited I got out of bed, got ready and left the house, didn't even have a drink and I'd been to the toilet...definitely no full bladder from me and they found baby so easily too Smile. I suppose I did feel at the time that she put a little more pressure on than I expected but this is my first so I didn't know what to expect and the midwife who did the heart beat last week put the same level of pressure on also so maybe that was just me! I'm sure if at 12 weeks I could have an empty bladder and all was well you will be fine at 20 even if you forget to have a drink before hand Smile x

Thingymajigs · 15/06/2013 07:45

I drank the exact amount specified in the letter during my first pregnancy. During the scan she stopped and told me to go to the bathroom as I had drank far too much and could harm the baby. I felt quite humiliated and obviously concerned. Looking back I'm a little dubious as to how a full bladder could do any harm but maybe she was having a bad day.
So I don't think the full bladder is that important.

Soupqueen · 15/06/2013 07:56

I was told to have a full bladder, did so, they couldn't see everything to told me to go to the loo. When I came back they still couldn't see everything (awkward baby) so I needed another scan. I would make sure I drink something, easy enough to pop to the loo if they ask you to.

Fakebook · 15/06/2013 11:16

In the leaflet they've sent me it says to drink loads of water so you have a full bladder. Can I suggest drinking a sugary drink too beforehand so the baby is moving about a bit and they can take all the measurements easily.

Original poster
Futterby · 15/06/2013 12:09

Thanks everyone! Last scan I had the ultrasound tech pressed on my bladder and went "wow, you're really quite full!" I know, you're pressing on it Grin

Good luck to everyone with scans coming up :)

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Kelly1814 · 15/06/2013 17:28

never had to have a full bladder for any of my scans, when i asked the hospital they said this was only for older hospitals...

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