Vaginal scan at 12 weeks?

[Scoffin]

I have my 12 week scan on Monday and was just rereading the leaflet from the hospital. I noticed it says 'you will be scanned abdominally and vaginally'

This is my first baby so I am fairly clueless, but always thought a 12 week scan was abdominal only in the usual course of things.

Is it normal to have vaginal scan at 12 weeks? Are there any advantages/risks?

I'm pretty anxious about the scan anyway, so would just like to be as clued up as possible

It's unlikely they will scan you vaginally, I think it's a standard on the dating scan letter as some people end up there earlier than 12 weeks if they didn't know how far they are.

And if they did, it's not that uncomfortable and not as intrusive as a lot of the stuff that they do down there!

That sounds very bizarre. It didn't say OR vaginally?

Maybe you could phone and ask your midwife as I've never heard of a vaginal as well as abdominal 12 week scan - it was never even suggested to me even when my baby was in the wrong position for doing the nuchal fold measurements, they just gave up.

They will do an abdominal one first and should be able to see the baby as from 12wks lil bugger will be big enough :) as with some ladies there wombs are tilted and so require a transvaginal one, wich is completly safe :) it just allows the sonographer to get a better look. It doesnt hurt and cannot harm your baby or you. Nothing to worry about, but i cant see why they would do both. As i said they always try to get a look with the usual abdominal scan then if they cant get a good enough view they will talk you through a transvaginal scan x

I had an abdominal scan first at 12wks but baby was in an awkward position so they did a vaginal one too. Nothing to worry about, was just glad we got to see more of baby!

I've had 7, 12 week scans. All abdominal.

You can always refuse a vaginal scan if you are uncomfortable with the idea. They cannot be performed without your consent.

I had a vaginal scan at 7 weeks and was offered one at my 20 week scan too to check the length of my cervix (not essential but my hospital offers it). I had it to check all was fine. They don't hurt AT ALL, you should be covered by a sheet so it's not embarrassing and they're over super quick. It's just a wand covered in lube (and a condom, which amused me) which is slipped in. Just wanted to reassure you in case you are offered one!

Thanks for all the replies, it's helpful to hear other people's experiences. I don't mind having a vaginal scan, have had smears etc, just want to know what to expect.

They started off with an abdominal scan for me, but I have a tilted uterus and the baby was messing about something shocking, so I got sent for a wee then came back, slipped on a gown, took leggings and pants off and had a vaginal scan. They use lots of lube and IMO its far less unpleasant than a smear, and it meant my scan pics were beautifully clear. It is unusual but not unheard of, and it doesn't mean anything is wrong. Good luck for your scan.

I've had loads of vaginal scans for IVF and early pregnancy but from 10 weeks + they have all been abdominal. A vaginal scan really is fine though - it's a lot less intrusive than a smear. They barely glance down there (just to make sure they are inserting it right) and then look at the screen.

All my 12 week scans have been abdominal except for this pregnancy as they noticed another sac without a heartbeat and did an internal scan to investigate further