Two questions; drinking for scans and muscle rubs

[Icantthinkofastupidname]

Hi all!

I've got 2 questions for you.

Firstly, I've got my first private early scan on Monday (I'll be 8+4) at 6.30. How much should I drink and when should I drink it so I've got a nice full bladder but not going to wet myself haha.

Secondly, I think I've been sleeping funny and my shoulder is killing when I move it. I'd usually go to tiger balm for this but I'm sure I've read that's out. Any suggestions on what would be safe and effective to use?

Thanks in advance :)

Every scan I had, I was told to empty my bladder just before. They said a full bladder made the scan more difficult.....

A pint of clear fluid an hour before is the NHS advice.

Get a microwavable heat pack for your shoulder. You could make one using a knee-high sock and dry rice - I made one years ago and still use it a lot!!

Don't drink too much - I just had a bottle of water that I dipped on while in the waiting room. This was my 12 week scan though - not sure about early ones and if they're different!!

At 8+4 it's quite likely they will do an internal scan, which needs an empty bladder. So no need to massively worry about drinking loads.

Tiger balm - advice is to use sparingly. One of the ingredients can cross the placenta but has only been shown to cause harm when large amounts are taken orally. Heat pads are good.

I had a scan at 8 weeks and it was abdominal. I drank a pint of water an hour before and it was fine.

Internal scans are easier if you have a tilted uterus. Makes no difference how much I drink they still can't get clear scan with normal abdominal one.

12 wk+ was fine though.

A pint of clear fluid an hour before is the NHS advice.

No it isn't. I think it depends on your trust and the age/quality of their scan machines. My first pregnancy was in 2003 and i have never been advised to arrive with a full bladder at any scan, and was always asked if i needed the loo beforehand as many people assumed and arrived bursting when there was no need.

So the answer to question 1 would be that they should have told you if you need a full bladder when you made the appointment. If they didn't say, chances are you don't need to.

Question 2. No to any creams without the ok of your dr. They are either salicylate (aspirin based), or nsaid based, so i'd check first. You're probably best taking 2 paracetamol and using baby oil to massage anyway :)

At my hospital there are posters that say a full bladder is not required for pregnancy scans.

Can you call the scan company today to check? I've never had one before 12 weeks but always been told to drink around a pint of water 45-60 before hand. I didn't have a full enough bladder at my 20 week scan as I didn't think I'd needed to, I was 'told off' for this 🙄

I used tiger balm but was advised only after 12 weeks, I need quite a big area covered now though and tiger balm isn't ideal for that so use forever living aloe heat gel. Stinks but does the job for me. Also recommend heat pad but not used with heat rubs 😊

We're told to have a full bladder for the 12 week scan but that a full bladder is not necessary for the 20 week scan.
However, from previous experiences of having to wait ages for the scan and bursting for the toilet, this time I decided I'd take a bottle of water and drink it while in the waiting room, only I was surprisingly called in straight away so had my 12 week scan with an empty bladder and it wasn't a problem at all.

I can't remember what I did for my 8 week scan (only had one with my 2nd pregnancy,) but I'd expect the wait time to be most likely a lot less with it being private so if it were me I'd drink a bottle of water shortly before the appointment time. My 8 week scan was abdominal.

The only muscle rub that's ok during preggo is deep freeze. You can use the gel, roll on or patches. It's been a godsend for my back.