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Original poster

Transvaginal scan at 20 weeks?

30 replies

munchkin2902 · 26/07/2014 15:55

Hi everyone, just had my 20 week scan and part of it was a vaginal scan to check the length of the cervix. Let's just say I wasn't prepared! Has anyone else had this? Apparently everything was fine from the external ultrasound so didn't really understand why it was being done. Was absolutely fine - but then the computer broke and I was sent home without my report so can't look back at the results until it comes in the post...I'm 34 and this is first baby.

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rockstars12 · 26/07/2014 15:57

It's normal to have a vaginal scan to check length of cervix. If it shortens, you could be going into pre term labour. I've had 2 scans to check this.

BettyBolognese · 26/07/2014 15:58

I only had trans vaginal scans in very early pregnancy. Can I ask a personal question? Are you overweight?
Do they have concerns regarding your cervix?

squizita · 26/07/2014 16:03

I've had several TV scans but not to look at the cervix- early pregnancy ones.
Maybe they picked up something on a previous scan? Ot did you have any pain or spotting?

Original poster
munchkin2902 · 26/07/2014 17:06

Not overweight ( well - was about 9 stone at 5 ft 4 before I was pregnant and trying not to think about what I weigh now! But certainly not got much bigger overall) and no pain or spotting. At every point I've been told everything's perfect, no concerns etc so it seemed a bit odd - I can only assume that unless I've completely missed something she said ( which I'm starting to worry about as she spoke v quietly) it is just routine for this hospital (kings college.) Guess maybe different hospitals have different policies on it? Maybe she just needed the practice?!

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Original poster
munchkin2902 · 26/07/2014 17:16

So - I just did what I should have done in the first place and looked at the info Kings gave me about scans before my first one - they do offer internal scans as standard at
20 weeks which ties in with what rock stars said - to measure cervix length. Just threw me a bit as none of my friends had this but guess I'm just lucky (depending how you look at it!!)

OP posts:
weatherall · 26/07/2014 17:20

This would put me off going for a scan altogether.

I'd be horrified.

I've never heard of this before.

SallyMischievo · 26/07/2014 17:32

Yes, I've got my 20 week scan at King's the week after next and am not looking forward to that aspect of it! It was in the information that they sent me too so it seems it is a routine procedure there. What concerns me is that with it being a teaching hospital, there were several staff, (male and female), in the room with us at my 12 week scan and it wasn't particularly private with people coming and going whilst it was taking place. I'm going to have to be a bit more assertive if this happens again and request that some of them leave as I will feel even more uncomfortable!

callamia · 26/07/2014 17:38

I had this as part of a research project, but I had an info sheet about it last year, and they did ask permission and said it wasn't mandatory.

notoasthere · 26/07/2014 17:39

Remember you don't have to have it if you don't want too. It's certainly not standard practice and millions of women have successful pregnancies without ever having a tv scan for cervical length

SallyMischievo · 26/07/2014 17:57

Thank you! I will dig out what they sent me and have a re-read.

vallinnapod · 26/07/2014 18:33

It was standard when I was PG with DS1 at UCH. Am now PG with number two and very disappointed to hear it isn't done at my new hospital.

TV scans are not uncomfortable at all and the reassurance that my cervix is long and closed would be much appreciated. If there are any issues there is still (just about) time at 20 weeks for a TVC if the shortening isn't too severe.

nc060 · 26/07/2014 18:41

for those that are saying it would put them off the scan altogether...they are no worse than a smear test. I absolutely would have jumped at the chance for extra piece of mid at a very anxious time!

TeaandHobnobs · 26/07/2014 18:58

Someone posted on another thread last month to say they had this as part of a study at Kings:
www.mumsnet.com/Talk/pregnancy/a2099716-my-friend-had-this-happen-at-her-20-week-scan-is-this-normal#47549481
However, they should have asked for your consent first?

To all those concerned about TV scans, unless you have particular reasons/issues about it, I assure you there is nothing to be worried about - I've had quite a few now, and never experienced any discomfort (compared to a smear, for example), apart from when they have been trying to get a look at my ovaries, that is a little uncomfortable. But it has certainly never hurt. And IME they are very respectful of your dignity - you are covered with a sheet/paper towel.

SallyMischievo · 26/07/2014 19:00

Thank you for the advice. As someone who is a bit prone to worrying, I am certainly in favour of anything that will give me some extra reassurance! Just finding the prospect of such an intimate examination in a room full of people rather unnerving Blush

Noyoucantwatchpeppapig · 26/07/2014 19:05

A TV scan cannot be done without your c

Noyoucantwatchpeppapig · 26/07/2014 19:07

A TV scan cannot be done without your consent and with you consenting to the amount of people there. Usually if its a male spnographer a chaperone should be present but other than that you only have to have you and the spnographer. In the trust I work in they usually lick the door to avoid people walking in.

ilovepowerhoop · 26/07/2014 19:07

I only had one with ds in early pregnancy as I was earlier in the pregnancy than I thought and couldnt see much using the abdominal ultrasound. Have had 2 children and was not offered on any other occasion in either pregnancy

Noyoucantwatchpeppapig · 26/07/2014 19:07

Sorry about the autocorrects Hmm

TeaandHobnobs · 26/07/2014 19:18

Noyoucantwatchpeppapig lick the door Grin fantastic

Lones80 · 26/07/2014 19:20

I had one at my 20 week scan as they thought my placenta was low lying and wanted to check from a better angle. They asked my permission first and it was fine, no worse than a smear.

Itscurtainsforyou · 26/07/2014 19:27

I wish I'd had one at 20 weeks. I went into early labour at 22w and lost my twins. At 20w there should have been a decent indication of what was to come.
I know it's a bit intrusive, but I'm going to be demanding them if I ever get pregnant again!

RevoltingPeasant · 26/07/2014 19:35

To all worried about TV scans - I had one at 7 weeks due to MC false alarm.

What happens is: you go behind a curtain and take off your jeans and knickers. You lie on a couch with a sheet covering your whole bottom half. You let your knees flop apart and put your bum close to the end of the couch (all under the sheet). The sonographer puts some jelly on the end of the probe which is quite long but they only put about the first inch in, nothing like a smear and not to the cervix. It is basically like someone inserting a single finger to the second joint. Not remotely uncomfortable.

And that is it! So unless you have trigger issues around past abuse it is really nothing to worry about. You can of course refuse that aspect of the scan, but why would you? A substantial chunk of second trimester MC are caused by incompetent cervix, so why not check?

BettyBolognese · 26/07/2014 21:17

They asked my permission first and it was fine, no worse than a smear.

Lone it's nothing like a smear. The probe doesn't go anywhere near as high and you don't need one of those open you up whatsits.

ShadowFall · 27/07/2014 07:21

I had a TV scan to check cervix length with DS2 because DS1 had been premature.

It's nothing like a smear test. It wasn't uncomfortable at all.

I think policies must vary between hospitals though, cervix length isn't checked routinely at the hospital I went to.

Orangeisthenewbanana · 27/07/2014 07:25

I think it is routinely offered at Kings. I definitely had one at my 12 and 20 week scans, though they did say I didn't have to have it, it was just their recommendation.