Early scan - how do they do it?

[iggypiggy]

A question... I have booked an early scan (purely for selfish reasons of not wanting to wait until 12 weeks )

I'll be 7 + 4 on the day of the scan and they have told me to make sure I have a full bladder.

However - are these scans usually trans abdominal or trans vaginal? If is the latter - am not sure I want it!

[Gateau]

From my experience they are trans abdominal.
But the last time, when the results weren't clear, they did a trans vaginal one. It's a little uncomfortable but fine,really.
But it's likely you'll just get the abdominal one.

[CMOTdibbler]

Usually transvaginal, although they may try transabdominal first

[ShowOfHands]

In my experience- bleeding heavily at 7+4- they tried abdominal first and saw healthy heartbeat. They offered a transvaginal too to see if they could confirm the cause of bleeding but I didn't 'need' it to confirm viabilty of the pregnancy.

[Tee2072]

That early they might start with tran abdominal and then, if they can't see anything, switch to transvaginal.

I've had both kinds and transvaginal really is no big deal. Less annoying than a smear, IMHO!

[iggypiggy]

Ok thanks all - sounds like they will try tranabdominal first then?

Feeling bit less worried now!

[Gateau]

Ooops, just realised the first two posts you got give you different advice!
I have always had the trans abdominal first, but maybe every hopsital is different!
It should tell you what they will do on your hospital notes, iggypiggy, if you got some.

[iggypiggy]

I should have asked when I rang them really

[iggypiggy]

Gateau - it says they can do either on the website - but is not specific about which for which situation - if that makes sense...

Thanks for replies!

[iggypiggy]

Tee2072 thanks - I dopn't find smears too awful - so it doesn't sound terrible... I think I read a post on here where someone mentioned it wasn't good and have been worrying ever since!

[MrsHappy]

If they have told you to have a full bladder that suggests an abdominal scan will be attempted first.
You need an empty bladder for a vaginal scan.

Even if they do a vaginal scan, they are honestly not that bad (if a little undignified).

Good luck.

[brettgirl2]

I had one at 7+4 and the baby/hb could be seen through the abdomen. She made me have a tv so she could have a proper look at my ovarian cyst though!

The tv scan really isn't that bad - it is less bad than a smear IME.

[iggypiggy]

Thanks both - much appreciated