For an abdominal dating ultrasound, you will need to have a full bladder. You may be asked to drink some water and not go to the toilet beforehand because a full bladder helps to push your womb up to give a better picture. For a vaginal scan, you can have an empty bladder. The scan will take 5 to 10 minutes to perform.

What should I do before my dating scan?

You will need to arrive with a full bladder before you have your scan. A full bladder allows us to see your uterus and ovaries more clearly. We normally recommend that you have 2 glasses of water a half hour before you arrive for your scan.