I don't need to drink lots of water before 20 scan do I????? Just checking!

[goodcatholicgirl]

It's my second pregnancy, but I can't remember from first one,seem to remember not having to drink water as baby so much bigger. I am actually nearer 22 weeks than 20 weeks too.

No, I think that just applies to the 12 week scan as the uterus needs to be in the right place for the sonographer to find the baby.

When is your scan?

Oh god the memories. I read on here that you had to drink lots (although the people that booked the appt at the hospital did not mention it) so I went in with my really full bladder wiggled down my jeans, up on the bed, jelly on belly only for the doc to apply the scan thingy (sorry lack of technical knowledge) and say "oh my, your bladder is really really full , do you want to go to the toilet and come back in?" so off I slunk to the toilet, all of 2 feet behind him, my dh, the nurse and her asst, to have the longest wee of my life.

So I would say no, at least certainly not where I am!

and that was at the 12wk scan..

Yes but not lots and lots a pint about an hour before should do it. At least this is what it says on my letter.

You do have to drink abit before but nothing like as much as for your 12 week scan. I always reckoned about 1 pint 40 mins before the scan was enough.

Be warned thought if they can't see what they want you have to go back again.

Message withdrawn

my scan is tomorrow...yipeeee! I just loved seeing dd on her 20 week scan, so much more fun than the 12 week one.

I made the same mistake once of drinking way too much, then my appt was FORTY mins late. I was in so much pain in my bladder I couldn't stand up straight to walk into the room and too got asked to go and empty my very full bladder!!

I had to for my 20 week scan, coz when I asked, the sonographer said "oh yes, still have to drink all the water, there's no getting away from that!" Don't think you need as much as 12 weeks though, but it's still a pain.

Hope scan goes well . Congratulations btw !

Big teaching hospital here (John Radcliffe Oxford) wants a full bladder for 20 week!

2 pints for 12 week scan
nothing for 20 week

Better to have a full bladder that you can empty if necessary rather than an empty one if it was needed and having to get a new appointment....

I have to be scanned every two weeks to have my cervix checked and need a very full bladder everytime. Last time (16 weeks) my bladder wasn't full enough and I had to drink some more, I was then left for forty mins before she called me back in but after 35 I couldn't take the pain any longer and just had to wee so I had an internal which was more comfortable than having my very full bladder squashed!

Goingfor3christmas puddings- Surprised they check your cervix on top- internal is much more accurate- I'd forget to fill everytime for that one.
For 20 weeks scan- a full bladder means sonograoher can send you for a wee. If babe is co-operating and showing everything thats needed, lucky you, but often babe will hide something. Emptying your bladder means babe more likely to move, therefore more likely to see everything. Also, depending on your build, you uterus and babe can be nicely tucked in your pelvis ( scans don't work through bones!) so a nice full bladder can push it all up where sonographer can get to it!
Where I work we have tables that we can tilt you head down on, which gives us a better chance to see everything with an empty bladder, but I'd advise haveing something in it- if you need to wee, try not to empty completely just so there's a bit to work with ( I know, easier said than done) and if you really have to go, go. Noone wants a puddle!
A general guide for a full bladder is drinking 1 or 2 pints 1 hour before your appointment time- everyone is individual, so only a rough guide, but if you've been puking everything it'll take more!
Good luck and hope all works out well,
mumof k