12 week scan

[Wondering2021]

I have my first scan coming up, I’ve heard others saying before you have to have a full bladder for the scan, but none of the info given by my midwife has mentioned this. Confused whether this needs to be the case: I don’t want to turn up unprepared.

Has anyone else been to a recent 12 week scan?

Yes full bladder for 12 week scan, helps to see baby better. 20 weeks no need x

Yeah need full bladder.
I ended up drinking too much and they told me to go to the toilet 😂
A pint of water should be fine

@Astronaut8

Yeah need full bladder. I ended up drinking too much and they told me to go to the toilet 😂 A pint of water should be fine

I drank so much DH had to pull over the car on the way home so I could throw up in Wickes' car park. How glamorous! 😂

So full bladder but don't go mad!

Good luck

I have mine tomorrow and was advised to drink 1.5 pints of water an hour before. The midwife said this over the phone and it’s in my letter too. Apparently it helps them get the images they need and the scan can be be delayed if you’ve not drank enough water. Know I’ll need a nervous wee so will have to keep my legs crossed!

Good luck when the time comes 😊

Yes full bladder. I drank so much water I had to go for 3 half pee's before the scan, and still nearly wet myself in the rush to get to the loo after!

Did it not say on the letter that you need a full bladder? The letter usually says you need to drink a pint of water an hour before your scan.
I never had to do it for my 20 week scans for my first 2 children but I'm 19 weeks with my 3rd and have been told I have to have a full bladder for my 20 week scan too.
I get so nervous because with my first I kept throwing up and the technician was so arsey with me for not having a full bladder 🙈

My letter/midwife didn’t say anything but a friend recommended it. I’m glad I did as the sonographer said what clear pics we got!

I've recently had my letter for my 12 week scan and it says in capital letters, bold and underlined not to have a full bladder???!!?
I'm quite confused as I've always had to have a full bladder with any type of pelvic scan?
Now I'm not sure whether to fill my bladder anyway? Just in case?

Thanks all for your messages.
I think I’m going to call them today to check, as I did not get a letter only a email, maybe it got lost in the post.

@Flutterby8 - that’s strange considering everyone else has had a full bladder, wonder whether it depends on what type of place you go to:

Full bladder is required because your uterus is still low and a full bladder pushes it up. Stops the sonographer having to push down loads on your pelvic bone which can hurt.

Depends where you have it done, I think. I didn't need a full bladder (letter clearly said that) and they could still see/check everything they needed to.

I had a full bladder and had to empty it

@Wondering2021 This is for a standard hospital appointment. Not a private scan or anything.

Hi @Wondering2021 - did you call them to find out? I have my scan tomorrow and have the same question. My letter mentions nothing about it at all!

@Dinosaurus86 - I did not call them in the end; I went on their website to find the number and it was written on there you do not need to have a full bladder: www.kch.nhs.uk/service/a-z/harris-birthright

All I can think is maybe each clinic has different equipment, and some require and some don’t :/.
I will take water with me just in case

Hi all,

So I had my 12 week scan and turns out I did need a full bladder but I went a bit overboard and it was too full I had to half empty.

So on my report of info of the scan, it states Spine; not examined, does anyone know if this is normal for a 12 week scan?

Thanks

@Wondering2021 yes they congratulated me initially for having a full bladder but in the end had to empty it because of the way the baby was lying. It took ages! I also had to jump around and then go for a walk and come back because they couldn't get the measurement they wanted. I expect that's the case with your spine one - maybe they just couldn't get the right angle. I'm sure they would have told you if it was anything to be concerned about.

Thanks @Dinosaurus86.
Oh no that sounds eventful, hope they managed to see what they needed in the end :).

I’m guessing they could not get to it; and will see it at the next scan, in all new to this so no idea what to expect.

Make sure you're already hydrated, I drank a litre an hour before the scan today and she was like "did you drink?". I obviously must have been dehydrated because my bladder wasn't even quarter full 😂

@sheslikebutter I think I must have a tiny bladder because I was surprised when they said it was full! I only had one glass of water an hour before, and a few sips in the waiting room.

@Dinosaurus86 you're probably just really hydrated so you're not absorbing it like miss sponge over here 😂

My 12 week is tomorrow and my letter says not to have a full bladder. Confused! I don't want to arrive and there be issues as I'm so anxious to have this scan