early pregnancy scan

Danielle - posted on 12/18/2009

I was like 16 weeks for my first scan...they made me drink tons of water. I think the earlier in your pregnancy you are, the more water you need to drink because you need more help pushing your uterus out when the baby's still small.

Heather - posted on 12/17/2009

Congrats! I had my first one when I was about 4-5 weeks pregnant. I found out through a blood test when I was only about 2 weeks because I was supposed to have a procedure done, and then they wanted to make sure everything was ok (it was). I had to have a full bladder, but not uncomfortably full. They actually told me I drank too much water and needed to let a little out, lol. Good luck!

Casey - posted on 12/17/2009

I had my first ultrasound at 24 weeks because i was in denial at the begining of my pregnancy but i didn't have to drink any water or have a full bladder.

Rebecca - posted on 12/14/2009

It sounds like everyones early screan was different...call the hospital it is taking place at before you show up with a full bladder and have to hold it for hours lol:)

Victoria - posted on 12/14/2009

I had my first scan at 20 weeks they told me to drink a gallon of water before the ultrasound, I was so miserable I cried all the way to the clinic which was 45min away.



Sorry, hope this helps

Kristen - posted on 12/14/2009

I was told the earlier scans like at 5-10 weeks you should have a full bladder but after that you dont need to .

Rebecca - posted on 12/13/2009

With my frist i had one at 5 weeks and went with a full bladder and held if for an hour then was told to go pee...an early scan is usually an internal scan so they need an empty bladder. Call the hospital to make sure. I did when i got my letter for my 20w one just to make sure i didn't hold pee all day again to find out i could have peed all along lol.

Good luck and congrats!

Bec - posted on 12/13/2009

USUALLY 6WKS OR 12WKS AND YEH U HAVE TO DRINK WATER BUT ONLY ABOUT 2GLASSES FULL AND THEN AFTER THAT U DONT REALLY HAVE TO THEY CAN SEE THE BABY

Staum - posted on 12/11/2009

Hi crystal, yeah the earlier you are the better it is to drink more water...i got told by my ob that due to the fact it is still so little and pretty much an egg themore water you drink the easier it is to see...hope this helps :)

Kristin - posted on 12/11/2009

I had my 1st of many scans at 8 weeks due to complications, and I had to have a full bladder. It was the most uncomfortable I have ever felt. Good luck and Congrats!!!

Holly - posted on 12/10/2009

That is the info that my dr's in my dept (Maternal Fetal Medicine, OB Ultrasounds) that I work with gave me. Having a full bladder helps them to get a better look at the baby that early. It's not necessary but it does help. Most of our pt's empty their bladders before they have the u/s done.

Emma - posted on 12/10/2009

Quoting Mattee:

I didn't have to... They actually had me empty my bladder before the scan. I was 9 weeks on my first one and the did it vaginally.

  yeah if u have a gyny scan u have to empty your bladder i found that out when i had a misscarriage.....its a way to get a better look  at the baby

Holly - posted on 12/10/2009

Hi Crystal,
I work in the OB/GYN Dept. I do all the billing for the Maternal Fetal Medicine area (OB Ultrasounds) and they do the early pregnancy u/s as early as 5 wks along, as far as the water goes, yes, a full bladder helps. hope this helps answer your question.

Holly C.

Ninfa - posted on 12/10/2009

They usually don't give you ultrasounds that early unless there is a medical reason. Ultrasounds could be harmful if done to early in fetal development or too frequently. Every doctor has their own different criteria when it comes to your water intake for an ultrasound. I had one doctor that wanted me to drink plenty water and not to have any meals before my appointment. I also had a doctor that said it didn't matter if I felt like drinking a 40oz clear soda before I got there it was up to me.

Erin - posted on 12/10/2009

I think it depends on how early you have the scan, I had one at 6 weeks and 8 weeks, they were both internal u/s so no water was needed. The 12 week scan I had to drink water since it was external.

Mattee - posted on 12/10/2009

I didn't have to... They actually had me empty my bladder before the scan. I was 9 weeks on my first one and the did it vaginally.

Emma - posted on 12/10/2009

they always tell u to drink water and have a full bladder befor your scanned..but ive found that it doesnt really make a difference each of my 3 scans were clear and only 1 of them had i drunk water and had a full bladder

Bronwyn - posted on 12/10/2009

with both of my pregnancies my first ultrasounds were at 7 weeks, they can't really pick up the heartbeat before 6 weeks, and this will be a transvaginal ultrasound, you don't have to drink all the water for these.

Crystal - posted on 12/10/2009

Quoting Crystal:

well becuase i have lupus i get scans every 2 weeks. but they normal give it to you around 8 to 12 weeks..

And you have to drink anything you want but you have to stop drinking an hour before you appt.. When you have a full bladder its eayer for them to see the baby.

Renae - posted on 12/10/2009

First scan is normally done at 12 weeks, but can be done anywhere from 10-14 weeks. Yes you have to drink water, 1 litre (2 pints) I think from memory.

Crystal - posted on 12/10/2009

well becuase i have lupus i get scans every 2 weeks. but they normal give it to you around 8 to 12 weeks..

Laura - posted on 12/10/2009

Helo Congrats i was told to drink water so u cn gta better picture of the baby.

Jackie - posted on 12/10/2009

Even late scans you can have to drink the water. I had scans at 33 weeks and 35 weeks and both I had to drink water for.

Donna - posted on 12/10/2009

I think it's dependent on what your own Dr will tell you. I didn't have to drink water, but I was told not too pee beforehand. A full bladder makes it easier to see the baby, as it pushes the uterus forward making it easier to get a better picture. It wouldn't do any harm to drink water before! hope this helps

Claudia - posted on 12/10/2009

Hi. Yeah you need a full bladder. I had scan at around 7 weeks with all 3 pregnancies and my bladder had to be full as they use the full bladder as the "window" in which to look through to see the baby.

Lisa - posted on 12/10/2009

I had my 1st scan at 3 months but a friend of mine had to have it early due to problems.. No you don't have to drink water.x

Dianne - posted on 12/10/2009

yeah you have to drink a litre an hour before and not pee :( its only the really late scans u get to escape this, congrats on new pregnancy and the early scan is usually done between 11 and 13 wks or they cant check for the nucheal fold test. good luck

Rachel - posted on 12/10/2009

Hey. congratulations! I had a scan at 12 weeks. I was not told to drink water. I had the next one at 20 weeks when they can tell you the sex. After that the baby was large so I had a lot of scans so not sure of the norm. I did not driink lots of water for any of mine.

Dannii - posted on 12/10/2009

I had my first scan a dating scan at 10 weeks and it was repeated at 12 weeks and yes you do need a full bladder!