12 Week Scan

[BelleMairead2]

Do I need a full bladder?

Yes you need a full bladder :)

Actually, it depends on which hospital you go to. Some require it, some don't. It should say on the paperwork for your scan from the hospital.

They let me go out for a wee half way through...

Not at my hospital, you didn't.

better to go with a full bladder,then you can always go for a wee, than go empty and have to wait longer while you 'fill up'

mine was v v full and sonographer asked me to go for half a wee half way through mine - not as hard as i thought it'd be

enjoy!

I had mine last week and I didn't. But the hospital had obviously changed their policy because I did need to 4 years ago!
It said on my appointment letter - worth checking yours maybe? Or give them a call and ask?

Check your letter. I did in 2013, and don't this time around. Same hospital!

Thank you everyone. Nothing stated on my appointment letter but I'd heard it mentioned so I thought I would ask!

Mine said don't empty bladder for one hour before the appointment but not necessarily a full bladder. And they let me go to the loo half way through on all three scans I've had.

Mine didn't mention it but did recommend taking a bottle of water I'm guessing incase they then needed some fluid in there.

I would go with a full bladder and ask when you get there. I needed a full bladder for mine I think it pushes the baby up into a easier place to see? I could be wrong though

Mine said it on the appointment letter - I had to drink a pint of clear liquid before the scan and then not go for a wee til afterwards. There were also signs in the toilets in the hospital saying, essentially, "Going for a scan? If so, don't wee!"
I don't know if it's perhaps because my area has a higher than average obesity rate? Apparently if you're obese it can be harder to find the baby, and having a full bladder makes it easier. Or something.

Mine specifically said on the letter that I didn't need a full bladder! Call and ask.

Mine asked for a full bladder, then they said that my bladder was too full. So I went and emptied it and they still couldn't see anything, so internal scan it was...

I think that they will always be able to find a way to scan you, one way or another!

We don't get letters in our area but it does say in the notes book that an hour before the scan you should drink about a pint of water and not go for a wee.
I also got sent out mid-scan to have half a wee... Which was okay until I went back in and she started pressing on my bladder again! My "magical" first view of my baby was slightly clouded by the fact I just had my eyes closed trying so hard not to wee on the bed!

You dont officially need a full bladder but it can help.

With my first I didnt (because we were waiting so long to go in I had to go for a wee) and they couldnt get all the measurements they needed so told me to go and have a bottle of water and come back.

This time I made sure I had a full bladder and apart from baby refusing to keep still it was much easier.

I also had a bladder that was too full. I turned up all smug having downed a couple of pints of water and immediately had to go and have a wee