Pelvic scan

[A1980]

Hi I'm TTC and they think I have PCOS.

I'm going for an ultrasound in a couple of weeks: the internal scan.

Has anyone had one of these before? I just got sent a standard appt letter and if my consultant hadn't told me already it was an internal scan, I wouldn't have known.

Do i need to take anything, such as a dressing gown, or do they give you a gown or is it done in your clothes.

Any ideas what to expect? Sorry to ask such daft questions but I really don't know what to expect.

When I had mine (years ago!) it was like going for a smear. You need to take off lower clothes and lie back. No need for gowns etc, but do think about how much you need to take off - for me a skirt, to be pushed up at last minute, seemed easier than trousers. Whatever you think you'll be comfy with - probably not an all-in-one though

Thanks. I'll be in work clothes and my skirts are pencil skirts, so a skirt will probably need to come off anyway.

How long does it take? Does it hurt?

It's done in your clothes, you just take the lower ones off and they cover you over. You then bend your legs and they insert the probe, it's shaped like a thin willy and is covered with a latex condom. It's uncomfortable but shouldn't hurt. It lasts for about 10 mins but may take longer.

I have the same test tomorrow. I came on this morning

Does anyone know if I need to cancel or will it be ok?

It should be OK tethersend.

A condom on it....?! My goodness it sounds so undignified.

I cancelled the first appt I was given as I would have probably have had my period at that time. They told me it didn't matter if I had period when they did it. I thought, no way and re-arranged it for a couple of weeks later.

I have had a few of these, and my early pregnancy scans were all trans-vaginal too. I didn't really find them uncomfortable either - I found smears much more difficult, in fact I am not that good with internal exams at all but these didn't bother me. I don't really think it matters what you wear, it's all very discreet with a blanket over you etc.

Thanks Lucy!

It is worth still attending with a full bladder in case they want to scan you through the abdomen first (this will of course vary from hospital to hospital but I would be really suprised if they didn't). We would always do this first before a TV scan but unfortunately some consultants/dr's/nurses/mw's tell the patients it will be an internal so no full bladder needed and then we have no choice but to do the internal. However, even with a really full bladder and slim patient some ladies will still need the internal. If looking for PCOS sometimes the ovaries can be seen really clearly through the abdomen and obviously look non-PCOS and so no internal needed.

It doesn't hurt - obviously isn't the most pleasant thing you have ever had done but it isn't like a smear (no speculum) just a slim, covered probe that sits inside the vagina. You should be well covered up, not exposed to the world and the sonogrpaher will be looking at the screen rather than your bits so honestly the embarrassment factor isn't as bad as you imagine.

And although I totally understand that ladies on their periods don't want the scan, it really doesn't matter to the sonographer and remember that often these scans are done on an early pregnancy unit where ladies are bleeding/discharging really heavily so they will have seen worse. But if it bothers you then of course change your appointment.

Hope some of that helps - sorry for the long waffle!!

Thanks MrsSx.

it was last month now. I only had the internal, no abdominal scan and it only took 2-3 mins for the actual scan. It was fine, wasnt embarrassing and didn't hurt. I re-arranged the appointment so I didn't have my period. I just can't do that....!

I do have polycystic ovaries though