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Conception

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Original poster

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

35 replies

emeraldgirl1 · 14/08/2009 09:12

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.

OP posts:

AxisofEvil · 14/08/2009 11:36

I went for one of these recently and the letter was clear that:

for an internal scan you did not need a full bladder (I was told when started the app to empty before we started scanning)
for an external scan (if you really didn't want it done internally) you did need to have a fully bladder
you could have it done during your period

No stirrups used and far less bad than a smear.

Caitni · 14/08/2009 11:27

Shreks you're right about the sound waves travelling through water! Reading that made me realise that I'd read that in my pregnancy books...yet when I was going for embryo transfer for IVF the nurse on the phone told me I had to have a full bladder to push the womb up

shreksmissus · 14/08/2009 11:11

Message withdrawn

PrettyCandles · 14/08/2009 11:05

If my period had come on I would have phoned up and asked what to do. I think I would probably have been asked to come in any case.

If you cancel you risk going way down the waiting list again. Is that worth it?

Original poster

emeraldgirl1 · 14/08/2009 10:53

wow shreksmissus, you are a brave woman indeed to have this experience with an occasional colleague!!

thanks for the advice and info everyone!

OP posts:

OnlyWantsOne · 14/08/2009 10:46

not embarrasing as the scan person sits next to yuo, not donning a head lamp nose to fango like a smear tis fine

GwarchodwrPlant · 14/08/2009 10:46

Ah the dildo-cam! Sounds odd to need a full bladder? Maybe they want to do an abdominal scan as well?

shreksmissus · 14/08/2009 10:46

Message withdrawn

Original poster

emeraldgirl1 · 14/08/2009 10:42

Ah Ok thanks Joolsiam. Sorry to hear about the mc.

OP posts:

Original poster

emeraldgirl1 · 14/08/2009 10:41

Thanks again Prettycandles! Might be TMI but do you think it would have been OK to go ahead with the scan if you had received a surprise visit from Aunt Flo? I'm abnormally icky about the idea (maybe if and when I ever have a baby, I'll be a lot less fussed by all manner of bodily fluids) so I'd kind of assumed they'd expect you to cancel if you did have your period. But am I wrong?

OP posts:

Joolsiam · 14/08/2009 10:40

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

PrettyCandles · 14/08/2009 10:27

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.

Original poster

emeraldgirl1 · 14/08/2009 10:24

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.

OP posts:

PrettyCandles · 14/08/2009 10:22

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

PrettyCandles · 14/08/2009 10:21

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

Original poster

emeraldgirl1 · 14/08/2009 10:21

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

OP posts:

PrettyCandles · 14/08/2009 10:19

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.

Caitni · 14/08/2009 10:18

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

Original poster

emeraldgirl1 · 14/08/2009 10:18

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!

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Original poster

emeraldgirl1 · 14/08/2009 10:16

Oooh, good tip, ladymuck thank you...

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Caitni · 14/08/2009 10:15

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

LadyMuck · 14/08/2009 10:09

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!

LadyMuck · 14/08/2009 10:07

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

Original poster

emeraldgirl1 · 14/08/2009 09:56

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...

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HeadFairy · 14/08/2009 09:38

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.

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