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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

TransVage Scan - who's had one & feels like sharing?!

29 replies

Saundy · 15/03/2013 07:14

Hi everyone

I'm being sent for an early scan later this morning & am pretty sure it'll be internal as I'm only 6 weeks & have been told to go with an empty bladder. I'm not massively worried (pointless) but am wondering about a few things, namely:

How big is it (I'm imagining the size of a pencil)
How far does it go?
How long does it last?
Will/can DP be in the room or won't I want him there?
Will I be able to see what they're looking at/for?
Is it just the midwife who does it?
What can you actually see at 6 weeks (all being well)?

Loads of Q's sorry! But any answers or tips appreciated!

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ThreeBeeOneGee · 15/03/2013 07:21

-I'm afraid it's a bit wider than a pencil.

-They don't actually have to push it that far in, but once it's in, they do sometimes have to change the angle a bit to get a good enough image.

-Only you can know the answer to the question about your DP.

-It's done by the sonographer (a type of radiographer).

-I saw a little oval (the sac) and a blob inside and one pixel flashing on and off (the heartbeat). This was several years ago though, so the tachnology might have improved!

To cheer you up, I once went for a scan (to locate a coil) that I assumed was a TV one as the previous ones had been. I stripped off from the waist down, and then the sonographer did an abdominal scan! She didn't mention the fact that I was half-naked, so neither did I!

lightrain · 15/03/2013 07:23

Honestly, its fine. Don't get too worried.

YouCantTeuchThis · 15/03/2013 07:24

It's a few years ago now but I'll try to answer...

It is done by an ultrasound technician and they will probably try abdominal first then get you to pee before trying transvaginal. You will be covered by a blanket so don't worry about DH. It is substantially wider than a pencil (sorry!) but I didn't find it too uncomfortable. It was well lubricated and wasn't inserted too far before the technician adjusted angles very slightly and could see what they needed to see.

I had it done a bit later than 6 wks so I can't remember exactly what you should be able to see by then

Good luck.

ThreeBeeOneGee · 15/03/2013 07:24

Oooops. Meant 'technology' and left out one of your questions.

-It last less than five minutes, but they need to locate the foetus, get the image on the screen, find a heartbeat and then take measurements.

Original poster

Saundy · 15/03/2013 07:25

TBOG that really did make me laugh out loud!

Thank you, I was imagining it like a snake going everywhere but of course it's not a camera.

I do want DP there unless for some reason it's really not appropriate or they discourage it.

OP posts:

scaevola · 15/03/2013 07:28

There'll be a loo nearby, so you can make a last minute visit to empty bladder.

I can't think of any thing cylindrical that's about the same diameter as the device: it's much, much narrower than a penis. It looks quite long, but they need insert only a couple of inches.

They put a condom on it, and cover it with lubricant jelly.

The screen will be angled towards the sonographer whilst s/he carries out the medical checks. You should get the chance for a good look once that bit's completed.

NutBiscuit · 15/03/2013 07:29

Yep, bit bigger than a pencil I'm afraid but it's not huge. Like a slim vibrator i guess. As poster above says, sometimes they have to wiggle it about a bit. I found that weird but not painful at all.

Re your DH, where i went he just sat next to me, worst part about that was that he'd got the giggles as he'd watched them put a condom on the scanner, so kept making me laugh too!

Don't expect to see much that looks like a baby. I had my first scan at 5+5 and it was very much just a blob. Don't remember it being recognisable as a baby at that point, although i went back 2 weeks later and then you could definitely see arms and legs.

Good luck!

PoppySeedBun · 15/03/2013 07:31

Hi saundy,

Popping over here from the November 2013 thread. I'm going for mine today too, so we can compare notes later. Also have no idea what you can actually see at this stage, but I've already been told its very unlikely they will see a heartbeat at this point (5+6).

I've been for quite a few before, but for different reasons - to check follicles in ovaries and thickness of lining, both before and during fertility treatment (Clomid).

I would say it's more like the width of a 2p piece or thereabouts, but not uncomfortable. I was able to watch the same screen as the sonographer for all of mine, so I could see what they see. Picture looks the same (I would guess) as an external one - fuzzy black and white, mostly!

There's no reason not to have DP there if you want. It's not like having a smear test at all. Much easier than that!

pinksky · 15/03/2013 07:36

Hi Saundy, I had one at exactly 6 weeks. I went into the room and a technician helped me get ready, she chatted to me, explained some of what would happen. The room was quite dark and I felt safe and relatively comfortable. Then the sonographer came in and she was friendly and made an effort to talk me through it all. This was my experience, others may be different:

you can google pictures of them, but they are bigger than a pencil. Lubricant is used. I found it was less uncomfortable than a smear test
it goes quite far, they may have to have a bit of a root around to find the sac (they did with me) which wasn't pleasant but then I was just willing them to find it and didn't care
the actual scan part lasted about 2-3 mins
yes you can have your DP there, or not, whatever suits you
yes they should show you if there is something to see. During the scan you won't be able to see the screen but then for me the sonographer turned the screen once she'd found the sac and pointed everything out
it's a sonographer plus probably a technician who helps you before/after
you may not see anything at 6 weeks. People have very different experiences and it really may be too early. That does not mean that things aren't ok. What I saw was a black blob, a white blob and a flicker (heartbeat) and the sonographer gave me a measurement and approximate date

All the best--I hope it goes really well for you today X

Original poster

Saundy · 15/03/2013 07:37

Thanks everyone

I've been told to take an empty bladder do I'm expecting them to go straight for the money shot. Will have DP there then if I can retain some dignity!

I HATE smears so am pleased to hear that, they always say try to relax this may feel quite uncomfortable followed by an 'OH good girl' that always make me feel like its being implied I'm a bit slack haha - not what I want DP to be using to take the piss later hearing.

Thanks for the jonny heads up, though I'm thinking a fit of the giggles sounds pretty unavoidable!!

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Original poster

Saundy · 15/03/2013 07:40

Defo report & compare later poppy what time is yours?

OP posts:

lj123 · 15/03/2013 07:41

Don't panic at all, it's not that bad.

The only issue I had was when they where trying to look at my left ovary but quite far in that involved a bit of discomfort but the ladies where lovely and it was over with quickly. X

Kelly1814 · 15/03/2013 07:44

I've had about 8 of these in the last year, to check my ovaries before inception, before and after an IUd fitting and before and after removal, and twice whilst pregnant.

About the width of a tampon, honestly nothing to worry about at all, no pain or anything.

Good luck!

EuroShaggleton · 15/03/2013 07:59

They are really fine. I must have had at least a couple of dozen in the course of fertility treatment and early pregnancy. You get undressed from the waist down but are given a modesty sheet to drape over yourself. The probe is covered by a condom and a lot of lube. It's the size of a slim vibrator. It really doesn't hurt. The scan will probably last a couple of minutes, maybe up to 5, while they take measurements.

My husband has come but sticks firmly up at the head end.

At 6 weeks you should see a dark blob (the sac) with a smaller lighter blob within it (the embryo) and possibly a little flash which is a heartbeat. There are pictures online and videos on YouTube if you want to see what you should see on the screen.

I hope it goes well.

Toasttoppers · 15/03/2013 08:07

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster

Saundy · 15/03/2013 08:30

Cheers for the reassurance guys, just 2 1/2 more hours to wait!!

Haha ToastT I hope you know you've just ruined me for when they put the condom on it!! I'm proper creased here.

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Muser · 15/03/2013 08:34

Ah, dildocam. I seem to end up with lovely dildocam at every pregnancy scan I have ever had, wot larks. It's really fine. I actually find it more comfortable than an abdominal scan as for some reason they always have to really press down in me with an abdominal and it hurts.

In my experience, the sonographer is always very kind and apologetic when doing these scans. It is not at all big, it is nothing at all like having a speculum put in for a smear.

As for what you can see, really varies at 6 weeks. You might see a heartbeat, but equally you might not. Do not panic if you don't. Everything is so small and changing so fast at that point that it is very hard to predict what will be there. I've had no heartbeat at 6 weeks, and then rescanned at 8 and baby absolutely fine.

Good luck!

Also, don't call it dildocam in the room, I nearly have so many times.

Original poster

Saundy · 15/03/2013 08:40

Haha note to self 'Dildocam' is not the preferred technical term!

OP posts:

Fakebook · 15/03/2013 10:12

They'll put a wedge under your bum and tell you to "relax" and open your legs and ask you to breathe out as they insert it. Don't worry they use loads of lube and its fine. The only thing I find uncomfortable is that I have a tilted uterus and so they have to angle it in a strange way that sometimes hurts me, especially when they look for the ovaries. Other than that it's nothing to worry about.

I've lost count of how many I've had.

TattyCatty · 15/03/2013 10:22

Ah yes, the joy that is dildocam. The first time I had an internal scan was to diagnose PCOS. Halfway through the scan, there was a power cut and all the screens went blank. Hospital generator kicked in a couple of seconds later, but the Radiographer had to reboot the system. She asked if I minded leaving the probe "in situ" whilst she waited to get the screen to start working again. I agreed but then got a fit of the giggles, and managed to, ahem, propel the bloomin' thing back out anyway...... The lovely lady was hugely professional and just popped it back in again!

fanoftheinvisibleman · 15/03/2013 10:31

It is much easier than having a smear.

Nothing to add to others descriptions but just wanted to say that I actually find it easier than a normal scan. Years of gynae problems mean I have a fairly high tolerance for embarrassment factor and I find a normal scan pushing down on a full bladder way more uncomfortable. It is really nothing to worry about.

And only you know how you'll feel about your dh being there. But my best friend and I have both accompanied each other before now. Everything is done discreetly and you are covered with a paper cloth.

BraveLilBear · 15/03/2013 10:35

I had a surprise one at 20 week scan, after abdominal to check placenta location.

Was very stressed by being told this, as I also find any type of internal exam very stressful, but it honestly wasn't that bad.

Was given huge sheet for modesty, which was nice, and the sonographer didn't have a massive look or anything, just a quick one to aim it in the right direction.

Was vaguely uncomfortable, a couple of wiggles, but she was gentle and slow when putting it in and taking it out. Not painful, and lasted less than 5 minutes.

Keep DP in the room and make him hold your hand. I squeezed his fingers hard and it made me feel better.

Good luck!

FoofFighter · 15/03/2013 12:38

You'll have been by now but just wanted to share

Had one once with a consultant/registrar who just poked about with it under the sheet without much idea of where he was going and without looking and he nearly shoved it up my bottom if it wasn't for the fact that I felt it brush against my erm... anus and moved swiftly, well that could have been an interesting scan!!

Original poster

Saundy · 15/03/2013 12:39

Thanks guys!

You were of course all right, I have survived, it was fine, defo 100% better than a smear! I would even say much less embarrassing than anticipated - luckily no giggle induced expulsion

DP was there looking uncomfortable/amused/concerned in equal measures but it was all good. My little blob was all in the right place with its little heart ticking away. It was all down to a corpus luteum cyst in the end.

OP posts:

Original poster

Saundy · 15/03/2013 12:41

Haha Foo that could have gone so differently! No such stories this end thankfully!

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