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Original poster

How much is enough to drink before a scan?

21 replies

bumblebee86 · 25/05/2016 08:50

Hi, I have my first scan this morning, but worrying I won't have drunk enough. How much is enough? I think it said don't go to toilet an hour before?

OP posts:
Imnotaslimjim · 25/05/2016 08:55

Just drink as normal, I'd say maybe a pint. Just don't have your bladder uncomfortably full as they'll send you to have half a wee if its too full.

blue2014 · 25/05/2016 08:56

I think mine said 1 litre? Or was it one pint? If you are 12 weeks you should be fine, I had to wee before mine as it ran a little late and was only 7 weeks and they had no trouble

VeryPunny · 25/05/2016 08:56

WHat does your appointment letter say? Both of my letters said do not drink more than usual - I don't know where this idea that you need to drink comes from.

Original poster
bumblebee86 · 25/05/2016 09:00

My letter says a litre, but if you drink a litre first thing in the morning I guess some hydrates you rather than goes to your bladder? I've drunk about half a litre this morning and not going till 11, so will just make sure I drink some more about 10?

OP posts:
Original poster
bumblebee86 · 25/05/2016 09:01

I think am about 8 and a half weeks and so didn't want them not to be able to find anything?

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Sanch1 · 25/05/2016 09:03

In my experience not as much as you think! First time i was in pain for the scan I'd drunk so much and then had to empty some so they could see. This time i drank normally through the morning, had a wee an hour before the appointment then drank a mug of tea. It was fine.

Original poster
bumblebee86 · 25/05/2016 09:07

Thanks everyone. I'm just a bit anxious about the scan (not for a particular reason other than I seem to her very anxious about the pregnancy) and I guess I wanted to make sure they can see properly and not tell me I haven't drunk enough and have to come back

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chloechloe · 25/05/2016 09:37

I always find this advice in the UK totally bizarre. I live in Germany and have never been told to have a full bladder before a scan! One time I happened to have a full bladder and the Dr suggested I go and empty it before he continued so it wouldn't get too uncomfortable! Then again knowing the NHS they probably have ancient equipment!?

SuddenBeetE · 25/05/2016 10:06

At my 12 week scan I had a real telling of for not drinking enough! I'd had my normal morning tea, nearly 2 pints of weak juice and she still sent me off to have a drink in the cafe. It was bloody awful.

JennyOnAPlate · 25/05/2016 10:32

I don't know why they say tour bladder has to be full. When I went for my 2 week scan I ended up going for a wee about 10 minutes before I went in (they were running an hour late by that point...)

It didn't matter. The sonographer didn't comment and I got a perfectly clear scan photo.

JennyOnAPlate · 25/05/2016 10:32

12 week not 2!

Elledouble · 25/05/2016 10:35

I drank too much before my 12-week scan - I was sent out three times to have 'half a wee', and in the end was asked to completely empty my bladder to get the last few measurements. It was ridiculous! I think I'd had about a litre.

Vampishtortoise · 25/05/2016 10:35

I had a scan at 11, I drank a 1litre bottle of water at 9.30 and avoided drinking before this time in case I needed the toilet. They told me my bladder was full and they could see everything clearly.

DuckAndPancakes · 25/05/2016 10:35

When I had my twelve week scan, I was advised that you no longer had to have a full bladder to do the scan. I think it's because if they are struggling to see baby they can use the TV(internal) ultrasound instead.
I remember with my daughter i had to drink LOADS and they kept sending me away because my bladder wasn't full enough, then it ended up too full. Nightmare.

cheapredwine · 25/05/2016 12:35

Have a wee then drink at least a pint (about half a litre) an hour before. Then hope they aren't running late...

cheekstime · 25/05/2016 15:22

I used to drink 1 pint of water then have 30 min car ride to appt. Good Luck x

Original poster
bumblebee86 · 25/05/2016 20:02

Thanks all. I had a wee about 10 and my appointment was at 11, after having a wee I drank probably just over a litre by half 10, got there and was bursting (probably because I kept thinking about it as well), luckily didn't really have to wait and she said well done on getting it full, so I guess that was probably about right

OP posts:
SolomanDaisy · 25/05/2016 20:40

I don't think this is just a UK thing. I'm in the Netherlands and have very specific instructions to have two glasses of water an hour before the scan!

skyofdiamonds · 25/05/2016 21:12

chloechloe you're ignorance is hilarious and your inaccurate slander of the NHS laughable.
My department have extremely high spec machines, I don't think there is much better out there, more so than the holy grail that is private ultrasound in the area.
The bladder is used as a window, which you can find out more about if you google it, it is to do with the physics of sonography and how sound travels through different tissue types.
Also, it is used to push the uterus closer to the probe to allow clearer imaging. Patient BMI, uterine shape and fetal position all play their parts in enabling a quality image, having a full bladder gives the sonographer a choice of either emptying or keeping it full to enhance image quality.

SouthDownsSunshine · 25/05/2016 21:21

I was told off at 8 weeks for not having drunk enough. I was told to keep well hydrated throughout the morning. Have a wee half an hour before followed by a pint of water.

Stom91 · 25/05/2016 21:21

I drank 1 pint one hour before and it was fine. Xx

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