20 week scan

[Qasidy]

I have my 20 week scan tomorrow and was wondering if I need to do any prep before the scan. I remember the last scan I had it was a disaster because I wasn't told I needed a full bladder so the quality of the scan was so poor. I don't want to experience the same problems again, the Hospital have been really bad in guiding and advising and I don't want to face the same issue tomorrow. I want the scan to be better and tomorrow, please can someone advise me on whether I would need to a full bladder again and can I eat before I have the scan or should I go on an empty stomach.

Hi. You will need a full bladder. You will need to drink a pint to a pint and a half of water an hour before your appointment.

I hope it goes well for you.

@Mummy2O thank you that's really helpful, it's at 8am in the morning, should I skip breakfast or would it not make a difference if I had something to eat before I had the scan thank you xx

@Qasidy You should be absolutely fine to have a light breakfast.

Think I looked it up before mine and it said didn’t need a full bladder but to be hydrated :). I defo didn’t have a full bladder, I even went to the loo literallt seconds before I went in! There was a sign on the door saying if you’re here for the 12 week scan don’t empty your bladder, but nothing about 20 week scan xx

Hello!

I had my 20 week scan today - you don't need a full bladder for this scan! In fact, I panicked because last time mine wasn't full enough so I drank extra today only to be told to go to the toilet and empty it 🤣.

Best of luck OP! Xx

@Shmerlock Weird. I had mine today too and the letter that came with the appointment suggested that you do.

@Mummy2O mine did too! But when I arrived the sonographer sent me to empty it straight away and then had a moan that myself, and most of the women she'd scanned today, had been told to have full bladders when we didn't need them! Strange I know! Xx

I was asked to empty my bladder during my scan, even though I had peed minutes before it started! it wouldn’t hurt to have a full bladder, they can ask you to empty it if needed.

You only need a full bladder for early scans so don't need one for your 20 week scan. Good luck.

My letter said to have a full bladder at 20 weeks so I drank a pint of water 1hr before. Sonographer actually commented that she could see baby really clearly because my bladder was full. Whole thing only took 10 mins (LO was cooperating as well which helped) which is a lot less than a lot of people so I was surprised that other people are saying it's not needed. I'd be tempted to drink the water, arrive 10 minutes early and ask if it's OK to go to the loo when you get there - it's a lot easier and quicker to empty your bladder than fill it! I don't think eating or not will make a difference - I've never been told not to eat before a scan (and I have had several for non-PG and PG things).

You don't need a full bladder for 20 week scan because your uterus is not low anymore. Having a full bladder for early scans just pushes the uterus up which helps to scan.

Thanks everyone for the tips that was all very helpful, I've had it now and they told me it's a girl ☺️

Congratulations!! x