Transvaginal scan at 20 weeks?

[munchkin2902]

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.

Just to say- having had many (both pregnant and not pregnant - I can't count off the top of my head - maybe 10+ over 2 years) for various reasons... nothing like a smear. To be quite TMI about it, they don't stick it up there like a tampon!! I kind of stays at the entrance, maybe a couple of cm in. The area is covered with paper and they pull across a curtain so that any male staff you don't want watching can see the screen but not you (or, if they're not needed, they leave just ask). :)

I had one last week, I'm also at kings, but having had quite a few early cervical scans I knew what to expect. As was said before, you go behind a screen to undress, you wrap something round you and keep it over your legs. To be honest the sonographer barely looks, just enough to insert, and it doesn't go in very far at all. They can also do the dopplers to check the placenta blood flow from you.
At kings they do have at least 3 or 4 in the abdominal scan because they're all there to look at the baby etc. for internal last week I only had 1 person. The rest leave as they don't need to be there for that part.
You'll be ok. They really don't make you feel uncomfortable and the rooms are all fairly dark. To be honest my biggest concern was having hairy legs, which is bizarre, but I soon realised they don't care.

I have cervical issues so have had lots of these. It's nothing like a smear, and actually they barely look at you, just a moment to put it in then watching the screen. And as said it's only 1-2 cm. If you have IVF they do these and go much further in as they need to see all the way to the ovaries.

The TV scanner doesn't see as far as the normal scanner. Maybe 10cm max I'd guess.

Once a male scanner tried to do it unsighted which just meant he missed and took longer!

It's a good thing they checked. Many women with cervical problems find themselves suddenly giving birth to micro premmies/ late miscarriages in the early 20 week area - which is devastating as you can imagine. It's the right time to check as there can still be things done to help and its when problems tend to start appearing if they exist.

Glad you got a good result.

I had a few tv scans to monitor an ovarian cyst. The sonographer was fab and asked if I'd like to help guide the probe in. I didn't find it uncomfortable at all. Better almost that having my bump prodded.
Sounds like your sonographer could do a better job of explaining what she's doing and why. Worth feeding back to the ultrasound unit?

Thank you so much for letting me know what to expect ladies. I appreciate how important it is to check and I'm feeling much less apprehensive about it now!