12week scan on Thursday - advice needed

[Acceber]

Hi everyone

My midwife rang to tell me that she's booked me in for a scan on Thursday but I've not heard anymore than that.

This is a stupid question, but do I need to have a full bladder before the scan? And how full is a full bladder???

Hi Acceber!
They usually send a letter out before your scan advising you of where to go and what to bring etc but you may not get this in time for Thursday.
Yes you do need a full bladder, I've got my scan next week and I've also been wondering how full it needs to be. I'd say if you drink a few glasses of water before you set off you should be OK. Obviously if you drink too much you'll need to wee so that'll just defeat the object. Don't worry too much tho cos if your bladder isn't full enough and they can't see everything then they'll do an internal scan instead.
They also told me to take a urine sample but on further enquiry they told me I can just do it there instead.
Also, remember to take your maternity notes with you.

I have my scan in 7 days, on my birthday my letter arrived today when I was at work, and it says that I need to drink at least a pint and a half! Panty liners at the ready!

Yeah panty liners sound like a good idea!ha ha. I just hope they dont keep me sat around waiting for too long cos I know that when I know that I can't go to the loo I'll need it even more! ha ha ha
Good luck for both your scans, mine is on xmas eve so really hoping everythin is ok cos otherwise my xmas will be ruined, but assuming that everything is good it will be the best xmas present santa can bring me this year

I drank a pint and a half as instructed but the sonographer nearly fell over when she saw the scan and said it was the biggest bladder she'd ever seen! She asked me to go and let some out but have you ever sat on a loo and wondered when to stop?!

I've always been told to empty bladder before hand, when they've called me in, they've walked me to toilet and told me to empty. Think you used to have to have a full bladder, but now empty IME.
Certain tests I think you have to have full but for standard scans I think it's empty.

litleboyblue - really? My letter stresses a few times to have a full bladder, the only time i've had to have an empty one is when i've had an internal scan. I think i'll go with it full, don't wanna get shouted at and told to sit outside drinking water for an hour

Was gonna suggest that it prob easier to go with a full coz you can always empty. But yeah of my 5 standard scans, all have been empty bladder. Maybe it varies from hospitaal to hospital. Strange......

I had full bladder for all of DD's scan 18 months + ago. With this pregnancy I had a full bladder at 12 weeks but at 21 week scan the sonographer asked me to empty. She said she prefers to work that way.

My letter said a pint an hour and a half before so I went to the toilet an hour and a half before my scan time and drank a large glass of water straight away and a bit more on the way. My bladder was too full the first time though so I think it depends on the individual!

It depends on how old the scanning equipment is - with older machines they need you to drink water to get your bladder to push up the uterus and give a clearer picture. More modern equipment will give a clear picture anyway. If they haven't specifically told you to have a full bladder, I wouldn't bother... good luck!

I dont think the age of the scanners matter. St Thomas's in London have recently got new scanners (fab screens and views of baba) but dont tell you to drink before you come in. Then on arrival I had to wait another 45 mins after I had drunk the required amount. First time round (same hosp) I didnt have to fill my bladder.

Bring a litre on the journey and drink from when you leave home so you are not in agony needing the toilet and waiting to be scanned.

I'm thirsty now