12 week scan

[Hodge85]

Hi,

It doesn't say on my appointment letter but everyone I've spoken to has said "Ooh you'll not be able to wee until afterwards as you'll need a full bladder for the scan". Is this true? I've got my scan first thing on Monday morning so want to make sure I get it right x

Correct. You need to have a full bladder, start drinking a litre just over an hour before and do not pee unless they tell you to. It'll be uncomfortable but worth it. Congratulations x

I was told on my letter to drink a pint an hour before the appt.

My bladder was actually too full and I was asked to partially, then fully empty it!!!!

Yes my letter gives very strict instructions about drinking at least a litre an hour before and they can't do it without a full bladder! Odd that your letter doesn't mention anything, worth giving them some feedback if they say anything

No, not correct. My hospital says in the letter they don’t need a full bladder and at my private scan I was asked to empty it as it was to full.
Ring and ask or ask when you get there

I have scans every month and they've never mentioned it.

I’ve always had a full bladder. Better to go with one you can always have a week if not needed

Wee not week!

You need to have a full bladder at 12 & 20 week usually. If your in doubt give the ultrasound dept a call and double check but I'm having baby no3 and this has always been the case. They say drink water an hour before and majority of the times it says don't drink milk just a heads up x

I think it depends on the hospital OP. I had both my DS' at Kings college hospital and they said you do not need a full bladder. I'd ring and check just to be sure.

I just had my 12 week (NHS) scan on Tuesday and had to have a full bladder. I ended up having to empty it a little as I'd over done it lol. Has to be clear fluids.

If you have an early scan and they need to do it transvaginally then they want an empty bladder but 12 weeks is always done abdominally and your bladder needs to be full.

As PP says, best to go full and you can always empty it when there if they need you to. Better that than having to hang around in the waiting room until you manage to fill it x

It should say on the letter. Not only shouldn’t you wee but you need to drink a fair amount as well. Bladder needs to be quite full otherwise it’s tricky to do the scan.

You’re meant to have a full bladder. With my first child they were running late due to an emergency on the ward. I held and held it so much that half way through she told me to go toilet so I could actually enjoy the scan.

Second child, I drank the water and needed the toilet as they were running late again. Didn’t bother holding it this time and actually got called in when I was in the toilet. Absolutely no issues with the scan.

Ooh, thank you for all the responses, seems to be conflicting opinions. I'll go with a full bladder and ask when I arrive what their preference is. It's at the RVI in Newcastle upon Tyne if anyone has ever been there. x

There are conflicting because it depends on the hospital and sonography equipment.

@Hodge85 best case is go with a full bladder and then you can empty if needed x

I never needed a full bladder. If it isnt mentioned on the letter I would assume you don't need to.

Sonographer here. Yes you do need a full bladder. Drink a couple of glasses of water/juice/tea etc an hour before you're scan. It take 30-45 minutes to fill your bladder sufficiently to be able to see clearly. A full bladder acts like a sort of magnifying glass for your womb & ovaries.

It doesn't have to be clear fluids to whoever mentioned that. You can't see what colour the liquid is in the bladder!