Off for a fun Transvaginal Ultrasound on Monday, they told me to drink 2 pints water before, is that right?

[emeraldgirl1]

I thought I only needed to do that for the external ultrasound but the (scary) woman on the phone insisted I had to do it for this one, too. I'm sure she's right but has anyone else had this done and did you have to drink the water in advance?

Plus, is it a VERY embarrassing procedure or is it OK...?

I'm mostly just worried at the moment that my (highly irregular) period is going to show up about ten minutes before I'm due for the appointment.

[LadyMuck]

Full bladder sounds wrong to me, and I've had over 75 of these scans done.

[barbie1]

Hi, i have had loads of transvaginal scans and they alway make me empty my bladder before hand...Yes its embarrasing but its quick and painless and you probably wont ever see the person who did it again!

[Tocky]

have also had loads of these and they def need an empty bladder! And no, not v embarassing, much easier than a smear.

[MmeLindt]

No, I had to have an empty bladder too.

I had dozens of these as I had my DC in Germany and they are used more there.

They are not painful, might be a bit uncomfortable depending on what they are looking for. I have had one done while bleeding and it was ok, if a bit icky. The docs are used to it.

[emeraldgirl1]

Oh, thanks everyone, I thought it sounded odd that they wanted me to drink water - but she was adamant on the phone. She said, "they want to look at everything" (the mind boggles!!) so maybe they also do a more general abdominal scan, the likes of which I have had before (though it was pointless as they're looking for PCOS symptoms and didn't see anything with that kind of scan last time).

I suppose I should probably turn up bursting for a pee and I can always nip to the loo if they have made a mistake!?

[MatNanPlus]

I too was asked to drink but it seems they start with an external, send you to the loo and then do the internal.

Not painful.

Mine was for Ovarian cysts.

[Joolsiam]

Last time I had an EPU scan, I turned up, fully expecting them not to see anything on an abdo scan because it was too early (and cos I knew it was all over) - they did one anyway though, then sent me to empty my bladder when they decided a transvaginal was needed.

[emeraldgirl1]

thanks guys, this all helps! I'll just follow their instructions - the phone lady was far too scary to ignore - and see how it goes.

Not worried about it being painful, just mildly concerned about the awkwardness factor, especially if it's a bloke sticking things up there (I'm wierdly old-fashioned that way!!!) But heigh-ho. Think probably a lot of my nerves are coming from the possible results rather than the test itself.

[bethoo]

i was booked in for an early scan as did not know how far along i was and had a missive bleed, told to fill uop wiht water then when i got there was not having an internal scan so had to empty bladder. only need full bladder on external.
but no harm in drinking then can always empty your bladder and tell them you wree informed you had to by the -know- -it- -all- receptionist.

[bethoo]

buggar meant know it all

[HeadFairy]

emerald, every time I've had a tv scan they've put a sheet over my lower half so you're not sitting there with your feet in the stirrups with all your glory on display, and surprisingly the sonographer managed to get the probe in without really having to look Am I that cavernous down there? Anyway, it was much less intrusive than a smear. I've only every had women do those scans, but it's been usually at the EPU (so done by mw/ante natal sonographers) or the acute gynae clinic so mostly women there too. I'd be quite surprised to see a man, but you never know. I'm sure who ever does it will be 100% professional though, and respect your modesty.

[emeraldgirl1]

thanks headfairy for making me lol!! Yes, I don't know if I'd be more or less relieved if they managed to probe away without really having to look...

[LadyMuck]

The only time I have had a man doing a TV scan is when it was the consultant, so agree that it is rare.

[LadyMuck]

Oh, and if you wear a skirt, then you can just take off your panties, so if you can go in skirt rather than trousers. Feels less invasive if you are still fully clothed!

[Caitni]

Definitely odd to be told to have a full bladder for a TV scan You only need a full bladder on an abdominal scan so that the womb is raised as much as possible by the bladder, so easier to see etc. For PCOS diagnosis, I'd definitely have thought it would be TV only as that's how to get a good view of the ovaries. But probably best to show up with a full-ish bladder which you can always empty if necessary.

I had these as part of IVF and they're fine, just as everyone else has said. I found them less embarassing than a smear as no one's shining a torch up your fanjo iykwim. And get them to show you the screen - I found it absolutely fascinating to see my ovaries etc

[emeraldgirl1]

Oooh, good tip, ladymuck thank you...

[emeraldgirl1]

yes caitni, I agree with you and others that it does seem odd, and I think maybe the woman on the phone was just parroting her usual spiel and not actually thinking through what was written on my form... it's just the regular imaging dept of hospital, though, so maybe they're much less used to doing TV scans in comparison with the amount of other scans they do. Perhaps it's just easier to get the receptionist to tell everyone to drink water, therefore she doesn't have to think too much before giving her instructions!

[Caitni]

And totally agree with LadyMuck's suggestion - I always wore a skirt, which definitely made it all seem easier/less mortifying!

[PrettyCandles]

When I have a scan I always drink one pint on the way there, arrive early, and check with reception how late the clinic is running. Then I decide when to drink the second pint. That way I don't have to hold on for hours, not daring to go to the loo. They always run late.

I had a TVS recently. It was done by a man, but there was a female nurse in the room with us. As a chaperone, I presume, because she didn't do anything. He was very gentle, and I didn't feel overly embarrassed. It definitely felt less invasive than a smear.

First I had an external scan, then I had to go for a wee befor the internal scan. The only discomfort was when he had to wiggle the thingy a bit to improve the image.

[emeraldgirl1]

prettycandles, was your appointment in imaging department of a hospital, like mine is? Rather than a specialist obs/gynae clinic or similar?

[PrettyCandles]

BTW, they didn't use stirrups at my scan. I hate using stirrups, it makes me feel so vulnerable.

[PrettyCandles]

Yes, in the radiology dept, not the ante-natal dept. It wasn't for anything pregnancy-related.

[emeraldgirl1]

yes, ditto - for the stirrups issue I mean!

I think this is why I am wondering if it could be a male sonographer - given that it is just the regular X-ray dept. And it's PCOS they're investigating, nothing (yet!) pg-related for me either.

[PrettyCandles]

I was also worried that my period was going to surprise me. Didn't happen, but I was mentally prepared to say to myself "It's their job to deal with this. I'm up at the other end. Not my problem. La la la."

I've had male gynaes give me vaginal exams, and found it very disturbing and unpleasant. It didn't feel anything like that when the male sonographer did my TVS.

[Joolsiam]

I was bleeding when I had my TV scan (mc) - the scan was fine - bit of blood not a problem at all