Do I need a full bladder for my 12 week scan

[TheAlyssWithTheMewlingQuim]

I have my 12 week scan this afternoon and DP has hidden the letter... so I don't know what to do with my bladder!

I was told to drink 1-2 pints of water about an hour before my scan. Good luck!!!

They say you should but my appointment was a hour and a half delayed. I was going to pee myself I was so full that I went to the loo anyway. When they called me for my scan they didn't mention the empty bladder x

Ideally you need to have a bladder that's not empty. I took 'full' to the extreme... Make sure you've had a glass of water or two, but be careful not to 'overfill' like I did.

Oh and all the best for this afternoon! Xx

My letter said to drink 1.5 pints one hour before scan.

Before my scan with DC1 I had masses to drink. Then we had to wait a bit and I was bursting to go. I didn't really enjoy seeing the baby as I was so desperate for a wee! With DC2 I had a glass of water beforehand but didn't overdo it. The images were fine and I was much more comfortable.

It depends on the scanning equpiment, as far as I understand it.

My 12 week letter said nothing about drinking water beforehand, so I didn't and it wasn't mentioned at all. It was a much better experience than my 9 week private reassurance scan where all I could think about was 'heartbeat? Yes lovely, can I have a wee now please'

I would ring them and check, if it was me. Good luck!

It depends on their scanning equipment. Better equipment = no need for a full bladder.

For my first two at a big London teaching hospital I didn't need to. This time I did.

I suppose if you drink a pint of water an hour before you can always check and nip to the loo if you want to once you're there?

I was told a pint of water and hour before x

I nearly wet myself at my scan and was told I could let a bit out. A lot easier said than done!
Oh and so you know for your next scan you don't need a full bladder I nearly wet myself again until the sonographer told me I could pee!