Do you need to drink before 12 week scan

[Myusername2015]

Hi; 12 week scan in the morning (so incredibly nervous) just looking through the appointment letter and it doesn't say anything about a full bladder...anyone know if it's something I need to do? Thanks in advance

It seems to vary. Mine did need a full bladder but not uncomfortably so, they just said not to wee for at least an hour before.

Yes you need to have a full bladder but don't drink so much that you are really uncomfortable! Large glass of water about an hour before is fine.

Not for my hospital. Not all hospitals require a full bladder. Didnt you get a letter with instructions?or call and ask

Didn't need it for mine

Didn't for mine 15 years ago.

I was just told not to wee once I got there, but I didn't need a full bladder or to drink a specific amount.

I did before mine this year. I'm sure it was 500ml liquid but no caffeine or fizzy juice/water and an hour prior to the appointment.
I was bursting by the time of the scan and she made me wee as my bladder was too full to get a good look.
Same thing at the 20 week scan..
Good luck, hope it all goes well.

I'm on my 6th pregnancy and you defo don't need a full bladder at 12 weeks. An early scan at 8 weeks you do but by 12 you're fine without.

I had to for 12 week but not for 20, seems to vary by area

I got told off for having a full bladder and sent off for a wee. Don't do it if they don't tell you to.

I was told to come with a full bladder, drank loads but baby was in wrong position and wouldn't budge so I was sent off to drink more! Mainly though, the lady told me it's easier to get a clear picture if you have the darkness of a full bladder behind....

My letter at 12 weeks said to drink a pint and a half an hour before. God I was uncomfortable and they let me have a little wee before hand

Best of luck at your scan! I had mine last week :)

I did drink before I went, I hadn't read the letter properly and it said to drink a pint, but I was so panicked about wanting to see the baby that I drank 3...needless to say I was quite uncomfortable during the scan and ours went on for a while because we had a trainee sonographer and then a qualified one checking over what she had done...

So one pint should be fine, and if you need to drink more just make sure you take a water bottle just in case :)

At our hospital they ask you to have a full bladder for your 12 and 20 week scan

My letter said to drink as much as I could. It didn't really mean it. Lots of 'oh your bladder is very full! ' comments. I was sent for a wee. Twice.

Thank you all strangely my letter didn't mention anything but will have a pint to make sure. (Of water!) roll on tomorrow

I was told to drink 2 pints. If I didn't want to be uncomfortable during the scan so only drank 1. Scan just took a little longer

I had one two weeks ago. I had a cuppa, a bottle of water on the way and then another in the waiting room (I was thirsty!). I got sent out to half empty my bladder (that's not as easy as it sounds!) I agree with PP that a bottle of water is plenty.

It's a lot easier and quicker to void your bladder rather than wait to fill so if it doesn't specify, I'd go aiming to have a full-ish bladder and ask on arrival. Depending on your own personal habits, maybe an extra 500-750mls of water one hour before appointment time.