Medway Hospital - Internal scans

Gooseandme · 2025-02-23T13:17:21+00:00

Hi All! I'm currently 32 weeks pregnant with hypertension and gestational diabetes. I've been having several scans now and each scan I've been pressured into an internal. This is my 2nd pregnancy, with my first I was at a different hospital closer to me whereas this time I'm having the baby closer to my partners family and our closest hospital is Medway. I just wanted to know if anyone else is having internals with every scan, at this particular hospital or whether I just genuinely need them! Look forward to hearing your responses! Thank you ❤️

Stade197 · 23/02/2025 13:43

I had my scans at medway, also had gestational diabetes but my scans were just normal abdominal scans. The only internal I had was at about 5/6 weeks to check placement as I'd had an ectopic a few years previous but I had no internal scans after that one

Original poster

Gooseandme · 23/02/2025 13:45

Stade197 · 23/02/2025 13:43

I had my scans at medway, also had gestational diabetes but my scans were just normal abdominal scans. The only internal I had was at about 5/6 weeks to check placement as I'd had an ectopic a few years previous but I had no internal scans after that one

Thank you for sharing your experience 🫶🏻

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Sunshineandblueskysalltheway · 25/02/2025 13:38

Pressured by who and on what grounds?

Did they make you feel that you couldn't say no?

RabbitProofCarrots · 25/02/2025 13:42

Presumably it depends on what they need to see and whether they can get a view of it in your pregnancy at the stage you’re at through your abdomen.
I’ve never needed an internal ultrasound but they’ve always been able to get the picture they need from an external ultrasound, including cervical length and early scans where I know sometimes it can be hard to get a good view externally.
Ask them why they need to do it?

Original poster

Gooseandme · 25/02/2025 16:54

Sunshineandblueskysalltheway · 25/02/2025 13:38

Pressured by who and on what grounds?

Did they make you feel that you couldn't say no?

By the consultants. I'm looking to see if other women have had this issue or if it's just me.

OP posts:

Original poster

Gooseandme · 25/02/2025 16:56

RabbitProofCarrots · 25/02/2025 13:42

Presumably it depends on what they need to see and whether they can get a view of it in your pregnancy at the stage you’re at through your abdomen.
I’ve never needed an internal ultrasound but they’ve always been able to get the picture they need from an external ultrasound, including cervical length and early scans where I know sometimes it can be hard to get a good view externally.
Ask them why they need to do it?

Edited

I have asked them why and it's a different reason each time.

An internal is mainly for emergency purposes only. So I wondered if it was just me or other women are having this at the same hospital.

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AndSoFinally · 26/02/2025 12:25

Yes, some other women will also be having internal scans at this hospital

Without more info that's probably not of much use to you though

Youdmakeagreattraitor · 26/02/2025 12:32

At that point, most routine scans would be trans abdominal.
what are the reasons they are giving for you needing trans vaginal scans? Are they concerned about position of the placenta for example? It may be clinically indicated - need a bit more info to know

Original poster

Gooseandme · 26/02/2025 15:29

Youdmakeagreattraitor · 26/02/2025 12:32

At that point, most routine scans would be trans abdominal.
what are the reasons they are giving for you needing trans vaginal scans? Are they concerned about position of the placenta for example? It may be clinically indicated - need a bit more info to know

Tbh I'm not looking for reasons why they're doing it to me. It's the fact I've had 5 scans and each time I've been told I NEED one for reasons such as can't get fluid measurements or wanting to measure my cervix to check for early labour even though I've shown absolutely no signs of this. I just want to know if other women are having this with the same hospital

OP posts:

Treeleaf11 · 26/02/2025 15:34

I have had 3 children(with 3rd there were many potential issues so had a lot of scans) and 4 miscarriages. The only times I had to have internal scans were in the early days, up to around 8 weeks I think. Never later than that. Unless things have changed in last 10 years.

Mosaic123 · 26/02/2025 15:47

Do you suspect they are doing some kind of research?

If so they should tell you.

Youdmakeagreattraitor · 26/02/2025 15:53

I don’t understand.
are you suggesting you are having unnecessary (ie not clinically indicated) transvaginal scans? What would be their motivation for this?

I think you need to take it up with the US department/your midwife. They need to explain to you until you are satisfied why all of this can’t be done trans abdominally. The fact you have had 5 scans suggests to me they are concerned about something specifically as you are usually offered 2 routinely on tje NHS.

I don’t think you’ll be able to make a conclusion from mumsnet re whether it is usual practice at Medway to do more TV scans- you will just get lots of replies as above saying yes you get them in very early pregnancy but TA after that.

you sound worried though so I hope you get it sorted and wish you well in your pregnancy