to refuse to have an internal scan?

[emily2012]

hello all!
okay - bit of backstory, i had a very traumatic MC around 18 months ago, obviously no MC is a 'nice' one but things went very badly wrong and I ended up very ill and traumatised for a logn time afterwards and still haven't come to terms with some aspects of my treatment in hospital etc.
I know the doctors and nurses etc were just doing their jobs but at points I felt like an animal at the vets, and they had to be quite rough with me and I went a looong time without any painkillers, then straight on to morphine.

Anyway, I've found out I'm pregnant again, hurray! it's early, around 6 weeks and I do want to have bloods and things checked to makesure it is growing ok and not another mc (last one was at 12 weeks) but I just cannot get my head around having internal things done. I will MAKE myself be okay for smear type things, but the idea of an internal scan is making me panic :(

Can I say no to one and what would my options be?
any help much appreciated!

I had an abdominal scan at 5w5days and they could see the baby with a heartbeat so it's not a foregone conclusion you'd need a tv scan. I'd even emptied my bladder beforehand as it didn't occur to me they'd do it abdominally.

I've had about 7 tv scans and the ones where something is "wrong" are much worse physically and emotionally. my first couple were very painful but this was due to other stuff going on "down there" not the scan itself. whilst not exactly fun the routine ones are a lot less unpleasant, much better than a smear I found.

congratulations and good luck!

Double post, blinking phone! Op glad giving birth doesn't worry you. Maybe talk to your mw and tell her your worries regarding internals and scans

I had one with my last MC, not pleasant especially as it confirmed the worst. I wouldn't have minded with my susbsequant pregnancies but it wasn't even brought up. It is not too bad really. Good luck with this one!!

Good luck OP. Normally they can do an abdominal scan at 7 weeks so hopefully you won't have to wait too much longer. They should be able to pick up a heartbeat at 7-8 weeks (depending on conception dates I.e. if you conceive later in your cycle, a heart beat may not be picked up until eight weeks). But it shouldn't involve an internal scan if you aren't comfortable with one.

They can also do the HcG tests 48 hours apart if you would prefer these?

Wishing you a happy, healthy pregnancy.