Transvaginal scan or c section

[Mammy20]

Hello everyone,

I have been wondering if anyone here have been sent for a transvaginal scan or had a transvaginal scan done and how did they feel about having it. I have been sent for a untrasound due to possible low placenta positioning. Once I got there I was told it is going to be not a regular ultrasound but an internal transvaginal scan (that was to be performed by a male ). I refused it, so they told me the other option is c section, so I could choose which one I want. I refused both, and I was made to feel as if there was no other option. I insisted that didn’t want either. But then suddenly they offered me third option MRI, which would have been fine with me in the first place. MRI reviled that I no longer have low placenta, so there was no need for c section.
But is it just me feeling that transvaginal scan would mentally traumatise you (especially if performed by a male) or does anyone else have had similar experience.
I have spoken to my midwife and she told me that most women don’t have a problem at all to have transvaginal scan, but I feel that if I was to go with it , I would feel extremely violated.
What’s everybody’s thoughts on this?

I had over 20 transvaginal scans in my last pregnancy. All by a Male. It's nothing to be worried about. Bit embarrassing the first time. No discomfort or pain. All very professionally managed.

Personally it wouldn’t bother me as they’re checking the placenta position to help decide the best way to safely deliver baby. (I’ve had several of these scans during my current pregnancy due to placenta covering my cervix) and I wouldn’t be bothered if it was done by male or female they’re a medical professional at the end of the day.

Doesn't matter how anyone else feels. You didn't want one, a suitable alternative was found. A positive outcome.

Good luck with your pregnancy, I hope it goes well.

Ive had many transvaginal scans, had 1 today in fact.
Mainly by women but ive had alot done by men. Ive had IVF so comes with the territory.

I will be honest, whilst i understand that having a vaginal scan isnt up there on my bucket list... for the safety of baby and yourself, it would be a no brainer, i would just have it done...especially if its to check position of placenta. If you go into labour, with a low lying placenta, it can be really dangerous.

I've had 2 transvaginal scans so far, completely by a male sonographer. There is always a chaperone in the room. I felt very comfortable. I was nervous at first but I would do anything to make sure my baby is okay.

I don't mean to be cruel but are you aware of how many different sets of hands you may have in that area during labour?

I’ve also had loads of transvaginal scans performed by both male and female professionals so it wouldn’t bother me either and I definitely don’t feel mentally traumatised or extremely violated by it.

I mean this gently OP and am not trying to frighten you, but you say above you refused both the transvaginal ultrasound and the c section- Have you considered how you would cope if you need to have an emergency c section or an instrumental delivery (forceps/ventouse)? What will you do if you need any of these? And what will you do if there are only male doctors available?

I've had many of these over the years for various reasons. By male and female clinicians. One was to check I didn't have cancer. It's less invasive and less uncomfortable than a smear, or coil insertion/removal. It's no different to sticking a slim dildo up there.

Cross posted with @MostDefinitelyNot

I hardly noticed my TVS wasn't even uncomfortable
Well covered up so male sonographer would have been fine

I’ve had loads (ivf plus high risk pregnancies) done by both men and women. It hasn’t bothered me in the slightest.

I've probably had about 50 over the past few years as I'm doing IVF. Probably about 10 of those by a man. Obviously it's not something to look forward to, but to me it is just a medical procedure. In my opinion it's a big overreaction (excluding those who have been abused in the past) to refuse.

I have had quite a few transvaginal scans at my local EPAU, due to some worrying symptoms during two pregnancies. I was treated with care and compassion at each scan.

Is there a backstory here, OP? Why would the scan make you feel violated?

I've had a few internal scans the last few years, absolutely nothing to worry about. No discomfort.

I went through fertility treatments and it's fairly standard for both pregnancies. They scan you to determine how your follicles are and then at 8 weeks to determine if you have a viable pregnancy. Whilst I personally don't mind them I also walked into the fertility treatments knowing this was part of the Process. Perhaps you've just been caught off guard as you were unprepared?

Had problems ttc, then IVF so had many transvaginal USS and investigations all done by male gynaecologists. It doesn't bother me. I'm not sure if it's because I'm a nurse so I always go by the thinking of, they've seen it all, everyone has a body and it's for a medical need.
No one can tell you how to feel and how to feel comfortable. Only you know how you feel.
My concerns reading this is have you thought about male doctors assisting with birth if you need it. Or a male midwife (yes there are a few). It's worth thinking about these scenarios and how you will deal with them and what your wishes are x

Im having them done every two weeks, dosnt hurt, u are covered up so not exposed, have no prob with them what so Eva it's go check the health of either you or ur baby. It makes no difference if it's a male or female they are medical professionals and trust me they really ant looking at ur vagina they have seem far to many to care. How would u feel if you have a male dr or midwife when it comes to Labour, As that a real possibility ?

I had one recently, though am not pregnant. For various reasons I find such things very difficult, but the sonographer was great, and was fine with me inserting it and moving it myself. (In case you haven’t seen the instrument, it’s pretty much the size of a tampon.). I don’t think I would have cared if she were male if he’d been equally sensitive and open to me doing things myself.

'is it just me feeling that transvaginal scan would mentally traumatise you (especially if performed by a male)'

I'd be more traumatised by refusing the suggested imaging or prolonging the need for medical treatment and it impacting on the health of myself and my baby. I'm a sonographer. I perform hundreds of trans vaginal scans a week, on age groups of women, for all sorts of reasons. It's a very routine, dignified medical examination. Its not painful and it should not be traumatic. It's a much more cost effect and less invasive experience than an MRI. It would have taken less than half the time, and you would have had a chaperone at all times.
Many gynae drs are Male. It's a very interesting, in depth subject. This is not a sexual thing. It's highly likely the Dr who delivers your baby will be a male as well.

I should add that you have the right to request a woman and understand the procedure before consenting. I didn't mean to be flippant or insensitive in my previous response.

As per above poster, if this is your first I can assure you man/woman/alien you won't care when that baby is on the way, you just want them here safely.

Have had TV scans, male doctors delivered my daughter carrying out forceps and episiotomy and repairs, including having to remove placenta stuck inside - basically a whole fist to my knowledge to extract them. Really not an issue, my DD was safely delivered into my arms and I recovered and healed well.

They are professionals at the end of the day

YANBU to refuse a scan as that is your right. However you may be in for a bit of a shock when it comes to labour. Why would you be mentally traumatised by having an internal scan? Don’t you have smear tests? They are less pleasant to be honest. The scan is slightly uncomfortable but not painful and the scanner doesn’t really look down there much, you are covered up and they spend most of the time looking at the screen. An internal vaginal examination is also far more uncomfortable which you will almost certainly have when you are in labour. And as pp have said, you may have several vaginal examinations in labour, start pushing, have a fair few people poking around down there, things not progress and then end up having to have a section. Or you may deliver naturally but then need stitches which need to be checked by doctors etc. All sorts of things can happen, you need to prepare yourself for all eventualities, none of them feel particularly dignified but they don’t have to be traumatising.

Also in response to another poster, you do have the right to REQUEST a woman but they do not have to provide you with one. There may be no one else available and they are not obliged to go and find a female doctor who is looking after someone else to enable you to see a female rather than a male.

I don't understand your concern about why a man is doing the transvaginal scan? What's the concern here OP?

I've had loads of transvaginal scans performed by men and women. Had IVF and also complicated and high risk pregnancies that required transvaginal scans in pregnancy.

I've had many trans vaginal scans, some performed by men. No I wasn't at all traumatised. You do realise your labour and delivery could involve significant rummaging in that area? Possibly by male doctors/midwives.