To ask about your internal ultrasound

[lucieee]

Me and my partner have been trying for a baby for some time with no success. I'm due to go for an internal ultrasound next week to see if there are any obvious problems and just wanted to know what it's like. The idea creeps me out a bit!
Yanbu- it's ok
Yabu - it's awful

[onedaysoonish]

I had six last year - I found the trick is to not lie down flat but make sure you are elevated a bit - eg if it's a flattish bed prop yourself up a bit on your elbows. If I was flat I got a bit faint and it was more uncomfortable.

[onedaysoonish]

And I agree with the PP - smear is MUCH worse.

[Lemondropsandgumdrops]

I’ve had 2 - once for fertility investigations which diagnosed polycystic ovaries. It was fine - the woman doing it asked me to put it in myself which was weird but not painful. Word of advice - if she asks you to come forward she means shuffle down the chair, not sit up. I sat up, the wand came out like a rocket

The second one was an early pregnancy scan. Slightly more uncomfortable but not painful as such.

You’ll be fine, as everyone else has said they’re less difficult than a smear.

[FairyDogMother11]

I had 3 in early pregnancy due to bleeding and they were all fine, one of the ladies was a little rougher and that caused slight discomfort but was over quickly! As others have said less uncomfortable than a smear

[Winterwoollies]

I’ve had tonnes of TV (transvaginal) scans. It’s better than a smear as they don’t have to put the probe in very far. It’s a bit like having a joystick up your ‘gina but it most certainly doesn’t hurt. They do have to move it from side to side which is a bit odd but again, really doesn’t hurt. They’re so gentle. Just relax as best you can.

[coastergirl]

I've had quite a few for various reasons. I have an awkward cervix. Smears are very difficult and uncomfortable. One nurse told me I have a shy cervix that doesn't like to be seen! Anyway, all of my internal scans were absolutely fine. Not painful or uncomfortable. I was really scared at first as it was unexpected and I thought it would be like a smear, then they started and my worst thought was that I hadn't shaved my legs in forever!

[Angelnix]

Another vote for it's really not that bad here, a smear is more uncomfortable imo. Worst part was having to hold a full bladder first as they did an external scan. I've not moved so fast in a long time when they told me that I could nip to the loo!

[Laaalaaaa]

I think when I had mine it was more uncomfortable for the 2 women doing it than me. This was in the part of hospital where you had pregnancy scans - they were not used to doing internals at all.

[ZigZagIntoTheBlue]

Totally fine, way easier than a smear 👍

[itsallgitsandshiggles]

So. Much. Lube.

Trying to wipe 2ltr of lube out of your 'gina with that pointless blue roll whilst they are writing up the scan results is the worst part.

[Lozz22]

Totally fine. I've had a fair few done for my PCOS and 6 done during my Pregnancy. 3 to check on Baby and 3 during my miscarriage. I found those ones a bit icky knowing I was bleeding and the wand was still going up there. The only discomfort I get is when it moves to check my ovaries but it's nothing worse than a period cramp although it does last a few hours afterwards for me. To be honest neither internal scans or smears bother me. Smears I just lay there throw my arms above my head and chatter on about the weather and what not. Turn the nurse just says right you can get dressed now. Never even know its been done. Bar my first one when I passed out from the pain but I tensed up that much I thought my insides were getting ripped out

[SpillTheTeaa]

I had an internal scan at my 12 week scan it did feel a little odd. Was more weird seeing her put the condom on the probe.

[Runnerduck34]

I was not looking forward to mine at all! It is a bit undignified and a slightly embarrassing. However the sonographer is very professional and good at putting you at ease, it wasnt at all uncomfortable, they did an abdominal one with full bladder then i went to.the loo and they did internal one. Smear tests are worse. Just wear a loose skirt or dress so you feel a bit less exposed. You will be fine, good luck.

[elliejjtiny]

It doesn't hurt at all. I found it really embarrassing and the jelly was cold but that was the worst part. It's much better than a smear.

[Auldspinster]

I has one looking for fibroids, it's fine. Worst thing was having to drink lots of water beforehand, luckily the room had an en suite lav.

[EncroachingLoaf]

This thread has made me feel so much better. I've got one next month and have been dreading it. I don't do well with smears at all, last time the nurse really struggled and I nearly fainted

Hope all goes well with yours op.

[Redleathertrousers]

Uncomfortable but not painful. I had a male doctor who was a bit rough with it.

[somethingwittynotshitty]

Another one here with bad luck with smears who had no issues with the internal ultrasound. Though she did tell me I have a retrograde uterus which explains the unpleasant smear tests!

[JeNeBaguetteRien]

I've had loads, just totted up 14 between October and March (IVF treatment) and many more before that.
Used to be a standard part of annual gynae check (not in UK).
Honestly don't worry, I usually wear a dress and you can just pull it up (a loose one if they will want to do an abdominal scan).

You can feel it moving but it doesn't hurt in my experience even with my bashful ovaries that seem to hide sometimes!

[redwinefine]

I find smears absolutely excruciating.

Internal scans were absolutely fine. Not sore at all, just found them a bit strange and very lube-y. Like lots of the stuff and lots of cleaning up. No bother at all. The 'instrument' looks frightening but it's fine - even when the newbie tried to put it in the wrong hole I just moved down for her. Absolutely fine!

[pigoons]

I've had three - all were absolutely fine. It feels a bit odd but that's about it. Be prepared for the excess KY jelly falling out

[pigoons]

By the way I had a male sonographer and he was brilliant.

[lucieee]

Thanks for all your replies ladies, I had the scan and it was easy and pain free!
The scan was yesterday (CD27) and the sonographer said she was surprised that I was so far on in my cycle. She said there wasn't as much of a build up of blood as she'd expect for CD27, and that I could be in for a long cycle (which I do sometimes have).

So this morning, 24 hours later, AF arrived. Could it be that the lack of lining could be t reason we're struggling to conceive?

[SadSisters]

I’ve had one to investigate endometriosis. It’s fine - they use so much lube that it’s no worse than slightly uncomfortable.

[Winterwoollies]

@lucieee have you had your estrogen levels checked?