Internal Ultrasound

[Justwonderingifthisisnormal]

I'm just wondering if it is normal for a gynecologist to use his fingers to open your vagina while inserting the wand like probe? I've had at least 16 over a period of 12 months and this is the first time it's been done. I felt uncomfortable, although there was a nurse in the room she was behind a screen and my husband wasn't with me on this occasion. AIBU to think there was no need? There is always plently of lubricant on the probe but I might be overacting!

Yes, it does happen to me.

Sounds like it was just the way that gynea did it x

I’m a nurse and I’d say it depends on anatomy, I’ve had that done during smears and examinations and have also had to do it when inserting catheters. I’ve had an internal ultrasound myself and can’t remember if they did it at that but did they ask before they did it to tell you what they were doing? As that’s what I’d expect

If a HCP was inserting something into my vagina, I wouldn't think twice about them momentarily touching me with a gloved hand to make it easier.

You're entitled to feel uncomfortable. Maybe he could have asked first? I don't see the issue, really.

What are you implying OP?
A gynae is a medical professional. I had one have fingers inside my vaginal canal and a finger in my anus and palpating in between.

I would imagine that he likely does this, so pubic hair or the labia don't get caught up in the probe going inside? Maybe the last woman complained about it, so now does it to stop that happening? Who knows? Why didn't you say anything at the time?

No didn't ask or mention at the time. Just did it and I was a bit surprised as having them regularly over the last 12 months this was not how the procedure went. I'm just interested to hear other people's experiences so thanks for your comment.

No implications. Just a little unsure and wondering what other women's experiences have been.

I have had many internal scans but not had anyone ever need to insert fingers.

Sonographers do the majority of gynae ultrasound examinations within the NHS but many gynaecologists do their own scans.

Sonographers would not do this, gynaecologists might well do as they would as routinely examine women internally in this way.

I wouldn’t be concerned.

They didn't insert their fingers, they used their fingers to part the vagina, that's a big difference, not to get that information confused.

Yes, that is correct. Sorry if there was confusion in my post. Fingers were not inserted.

I've had a few recently, and each time, they handed me the wand to insert myself, and then they took over.

When iv had a smear before the nurse has always used a glove hand to part my vagina, I really didn't think anything of it, it doesn't sound anything unusual to be honest so I wouldn't worry op.

I've never come across that approach in this particular type of exam. However, I was handed a swab on one occasion a few years back, to do myself. Was wondering afterwards if I went far back as the nurse might have 🙈 kinda of like the difference between doing a covid swap myself compared to the nurse/medical professional!

Although this does sound like normal practice @Justwonderingifthisisnormal for future reference you are entitled to a chaperone for any intimate examination such as an internal scan. This would be a member of staff to support both you and the sonographer in case of any inappropriate behaviour. A nurse behind a screen doesn’t count!

Thanks for the information. My husband is always beside me but couldn't make it on this particular occasion and I didn't think about that until much later. Will request the nurse sit beside me if I'm in that situation again. Really good to hear different experiences.

To add to my earlier post, I too have had various procedures on myself. I had multiple internal scans with IVF/MC's/investigations etc. I had a male sonographer hand me the wand to insert myself but majority seemed to just aim and push.
During smears though, majority being female nurses, have parted the lips before inserting the speculum. As I said earlier, it avoids getting hair or labias stuck!
Another thing to consider is that once someone has completed their medical/nursing/sonography training- they are unlikely to discuss the intimate details of HOW they insert the probe with colleagues. Its far more likely that previously they had someone complain that they pulled a hair, didn't get it in first time etc and have adapted their approach to avoid such issues going forward.

As another poster said, sonographers do not do this, and all the drs (gynaecologists and radiologists I've worked with have not inserted a probe this way either.., The TV (internal probe) is long (on purpose so we are not close and physically touching a patient) the dr must have been extremely close to you to position the probe in this way.
it also makes me wonder about the cleanliness of their work / infection control. I'm hoping both their hands were gloved.. and did they then remove the glove to operate the ultrasound machine or use the gloved hand that had just touched you on the machine? which would contaminate the machine... (I'm not insinuating you are contaminated but this would not be good practice)

using a speculum with smears is different to an internal ultrasound. The ultrasound probe only sits in the vagina and does not go as high and into the cervix as the smear test / speculum does.

Oh probe technique is often discussed!!
In the area that the probe is inserted there is rarely any hair in that area.. it's usually a bald part of the area.
something that does often get in the way is tassels from a top that hangs down between the legs or pieces of toilet paper left after wiping!

@Wobblybobb something that does often get in the way is tassels from a top that hangs down between the legs or pieces of toilet paper left after wiping! 😬
Tassels from a top! Really? Surely you just ask them to lift their top up?😂

I've had lots of transvaginal ultrasounds and this has been the case for me on most occasions.

Yes, no any hair there. Thinking back, I was a little tense, however, that is not unusual for me (or most I would guess). When I've been tense in the past I've been asked relax and told "sorry this will hurt a little" but not physical contact.

I've had two internal scans recently and both times they've used fingers to separate the vagina. I didn't think anything of it personally

Same.

Sorry if I was unclear in my OP but fingers were not inserted. The were used to open my vagina.