Full bladder for an ultrasound scan

[Georgyporky]

My nearby hospital has outsourced scans, & I've got an appointment about 40-50 minutes drive away.

I usually have a wee before I leave the house to go anywhere. If I take a large bottle of water with me, & drink it when I arrive at the clinic, will it get to my bladder in time ?

Thanks for any help and suggestions.

Yes that'll be fine, you're bladder has to be full but you don't have to be bursting!

Bladder only needs to be full for early scan after 12 weeks doesn't need to be full.

Yes I suggest going toilet first and drinking on the journey I've made the mistake of drinking before I go and once there I'm that desperate that I've had to partially empty my bladder because I've been that desperate and believe me trying to partially empty the bladder is a job in itself lesson learnt for me

@JLQ1020

Bladder only needs to be full for early scan after 12 weeks doesn't need to be full.

It might not be a pregnancy scan, I've had a couple for gynae issues and had to have a full bladder. I walk to the hospital and had to keep drinking once I got there otherwise I'd have needed a wee or wet myself on the way there! I probably had a litre of water in the hour beforehand. First time it was fine and second time they sent me back to the waiting room to keep drinking! Both appointments were first thing in the morning which probably didn't help as I didn't have long to fill up.

at my 12 week scan, I was asked to partially empty my bladder because it was too full for her to do the scan.

I've never had a full bladder at any scan because I hate the feeling of needing a wee and nobody has ever commented! It probably depends on your physiology how much it matters so don't take my advice obviously

I was told off by a horrible sonographer once for not having a full enough bladder! I had hyperemesis and was struggling to keep water down.

When I turned up for a scan with an empty bladder the sonographer told me a full bladder was really only important for larger women.

I needed a gynae scan and got sent back to drink more. It was agony.

I had a scan and the sonography ray said I’d need to drink more for the next scan as my bladder was empty. It was, I am always have a nervous wee when I’m stressed! However, she still got everything she needed on the scan.

If it is for a pregnancy ultrasound some places ask for a full bladder for the 20 week scan too. I didn't have to with my first 2 but with my recent pregnancy I needed a full bladder for 20 weeks as well.

Thanks for the replies.
It's not pregnancy, but testing for ovarian cancer.
It's nice to know that if necessary I can be told to drink more while I'm actually there.

Be aware that they might also need to do a transvaginal scan. I had to have one the first time because she couldn’t see my ovaries clearly on the ultrasound. But she let me go for a wee first!!

@Georgyporky

Thanks for the replies. It's not pregnancy, but testing for ovarian cancer. It's nice to know that if necessary I can be told to drink more while I'm actually there.

If that's what it's for, they may well do a vaginal scan.

I have had loads of these- cyst was monitored for 2 years.

I can tell you I'd rather have that sort any day! You don't need a full bladder which I can't manage as I have small capacity sometimes.

They get a much better image with a trans vaginal scan anyway.

@lillylemons

at my 12 week scan, I was asked to partially empty my bladder because it was too full for her to do the scan.

That happened to me at a scan. I'd had one where my bladder wasn't full enough so next time I overdid it!!

I had a scan for heavy menstrual bleeding a few days ago and it was full bladder, abdominal scan, empty your bladder, transvaginal scan. If they ask you to come with a full bladder that is probably what they are intending.

I’d wee before I go and then drink during the drive.

Unless you get there quite early, when you arrive probably won’t be enough time and you’ll be sent away to wait/drink more - but if you’re drinking in the half an hour or so that you’re driving, you’ll be fine. I do that for my scans.

I had an ultrasound with a full bladder. Had to drink in the car park when I arrived a little early or I wouldn't have managed to hold it.

Did the scan. Then allowed me to empty my bladder before the transvaginal scan was done.

Which was good for all of us.

@Miracle29

Yes I suggest going toilet first and drinking on the journey I've made the mistake of drinking before I go and once there I'm that desperate that I've had to partially empty my bladder because I've been that desperate and believe me trying to partially empty the bladder is a job in itself lesson learnt for me

I had to do this three times at my 12 week scan 😅 I drink a lot of water & it didn’t occur that midwives/ultrasound techs are used to dealing with people who barely drink any. My inflated bladder obliterated the image on the screen.

I honestly don't know why they bother with a full bladder/ scan over tummy.

They can see so much more with a TV scan- womb, ovaries, bowel, everything - so I am assuming they prefer tummy scans as it's less invasive.

If you find holding a lot in your bladder hard, I'd just ask why they can't do a TV one.

Thanks again, everyone.

The only scan I've ever had was an MRI - the huge noisy machine - & I was wondering about a smaller version being shoved up me !!!

My lovely GP (she looks about 15) has sent me some links to useful info. Can't help wondering if she's on here & has me sussed !