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Pregnancy

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Original poster

To drink or not to drink...?

24 replies

K8eee · 22/10/2013 10:40

I've just received my letter through for my 20 week scan and it's jus a big standard letter from the hospital explaining the usual. Last time I went for my 12 week I was told (as I am in the 20 week appt) to drink a pint of water an hour before and hold it in. When I went for my last scan the sonographer wasn't too happy as she said it wasn't necessary. All I'm asking really is should I go with what the letter says incase I get turned away and they can't see the baby without a full bladder, or do as she said and not take any notice...?

TIA x

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Inglori0us · 22/10/2013 10:42

I thought the full bladder was only needed for early scans. Might be wrong, not medical person.

BatPenguin · 22/10/2013 10:46

My bladder wasn't full enough for my 20 week scan so I had to sit in the waiting room for half an hour drinking water. Everyone I know had to have a full bladder for scans too.

Sneezy86 · 22/10/2013 11:24

Currently 26 weeks and had 9 scans so far! Apart from the scheduled ones all the others have been emergency ones where I have been admitted to hospital and they whip me down to check baby (and kidneys- renal colic) and as I have been being sick and ended up dehydrated when I get the renal colic have not had a full bladder. They have not had trouble with any scans or commented on needing a full bladder. In fact for my 20 week scan I had to empty my bladder half way through to try and get baby to move.

Original poster

K8eee · 22/10/2013 11:43

That's what happened at my 12 week scan sneezy. I had a full bladder as they asked, then the sonographer went to do the scan and she told me to totally empty my bladder. It was agony, I couldn't do it and even at half full she said it was too much. My bladder was so in the way of my uterus

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Xenadog · 22/10/2013 12:13

Drank with 12 week scan but didn't at the 20 week scan. I was told to on the letter for the first scan but nothing was said on the second letter. I popped onto mn and the advice was you don't need to at 20 weeks.

SpoonfulOfJam · 22/10/2013 12:29

12 week scan I was sent to empty my bladder twice. 20 week scan I was sent to drink some water and go for a walk.

That really isn't helpful, sorry.

Fairydogmother · 22/10/2013 12:30

I got told off as apparently my bladder wasn't full enough at the 20 week scan

Snobble · 22/10/2013 12:37

Thats strange.... i havent heard of this before. My hospital hasn't said anything of the sort in any of my letters. Im due for my 20 week scan in 3 weeks, maybe i'll ask the midwife :S

Cariad007 · 22/10/2013 13:42

For my 12 week scan I was told I'd need a full bladder so I drank lots of water before my 20 week scan too. The sonographer was running about an hour late and I was dying in the waiting room as I really needed the loo! Once I got to the room she said "Oh, didn't anyone tell you that you don't need a full bladder for this?" and told me I could go and pee! What I felt during that toilet visit was the best feeling EVER!!

I guess it also depends on what brand of scanning machine each hospital uses.

Mogz · 22/10/2013 13:51

If in doubt go with a full bladder as its quicker to have a pee and empty it than it is to drink to fill it up.

schmalex · 22/10/2013 13:54

I got told off for my bladder being too full at my 12 week scan. So I had to go and half-empty it, which is trickier than it sounds.

I think when they say 'full', they mean don't go for a pee straight before.

Julietee · 22/10/2013 14:07

I didn't have to for the 20 week scan. If you're worried, drink something, you just don't have to do the crazy uncomfortable thing that seems to be required for the 12 week scan!

SinkyMalinks · 22/10/2013 15:00

I was told off at 12 weeks for not drinking enough, but specifically told not to worry for the 20 week one as baby (and uterus!) will be far enough out of your pelvis to not need pushing up by a bladder.

But... It's anyone's guess I think! Agree with above, don't go just before but be comfortable perhaps?

TwickyWoo · 22/10/2013 15:09

Based on conversations about this before I think whether you drink or not depends on the types of scanners your hospital has. I was told to drink for my 12 week scan, but was told I didn't need to do this for the 20 week one - but I think other people have different advice. Go with whatever is stated on your letter, and if in doubt give the hospital a quick ring or your MW just to check. :)

CrispyFB · 22/10/2013 18:20

I think it makes it easier to measure the cervical length transabdominally if your bladder is full (could be wrong) However for internal scans bladder needs to be empty. I also suspect it depends on the machine too.

I've never been asked to have a full bladder for any scan except for very early ones where they want to try transabdominally first. I was asked one time in the US for an anatomy scan (long story why I was there, I do live in the UK!) and I still have no idea why!

buttercupski · 22/10/2013 18:24

Had a full bladder for the 12 week scan (ouch!) and was specifically told by the sonographer that I wouldn't need to for the 20 week scan (which was yesterday and she was right).

MrsEllsmore · 22/10/2013 18:53

I was told in the letters to have a full bladder for both 12 and 20 week scans but at the 20 week the baby was in a strange position so the sonographer asked me to pee to see if baby moved, I did and baby was very obliging and moved to a better position. I think the baby has more of a say in the scans than people give them credit for!

RaRa1988 · 22/10/2013 19:51

I have to have mine empty as I have a retroverted uterus and they have to scan me internally. Dunno if that helps at all - mebbies ring the hospital?

MrsRV · 22/10/2013 20:38

My letters said drink before 12 week, specifically full bladder not needed at 20 week! At 12 week my bladder pushed baby up to high & I ended up having to go for a wee so sonography could see DD properly!

greentshirt · 22/10/2013 20:46

For my very early scan at 6+3 my friend (who was scanning me) said to make sure my bladder was full, when she turned the scanner on my uterus was absolutely dwarfed by my HUGE bladder, it was comical! Even empty you can still see it leering off to the side like a spector lol.

For my 12 week one the letter said to empty bladder an hour before then drink 500mls of fluid. That was fairly easy. 20 week appt says the same I think

Julietee · 22/10/2013 22:04

My 12 week one said to drink a pint and a half an hour before, and my bladder was waaay too full - had to do controlled emptying twice! Your guidelines sounds much more sensible.

Doctorbrownbear · 23/10/2013 12:04

There was a notice on the wall when I went for my 20 week scan saying that scans are more effective if the bladder is not completely empty.

Original poster

K8eee · 23/10/2013 13:57

Well from reading everyone's answers I think I'll go with a full one and pee if they tell me to. Thanks everyone

OP posts:

Aaliyah1 · 23/10/2013 23:51

I've had 3 scans and wasn't told to have a full bladder at any of them. I fact they asked for urine samples before the scan and we could see baby fine!

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