Trans vaginal scan

[rebecca100]

Evening everyone, I had my first midwife appointment at home today. I couldn't be certain on the day I started my last period, all I could say was it was one of 4 maybe 5 days between the 1st and 5th of August. To ascertain a more accurate due date I have been referred for an early scan, the midwife said this will most likely be trans vaginal, is this the norm for scans pre 12 weeks? I am 10+ 2 now so guess I will be nearly 11 weeks by the time of the early scan.
This is my first so all new for me, would be nice to get an idea of what I can expect ☺️

I've had early scans twice. Both started off trying to get the image from my abdomen but couldn't see so ended up being trans vaginal.
I found them ok, and not painful. Personally I find smears more uncomfortable.

@ofwarren thank you for the reply, definitely put my mind at ease.

I’ve had internal scans with all my pregnancies, they’ve always tried abdominal first but I have a stupid tilted womb. I really don’t find it that awkward or uncomfortable at all really and definitely a much better picture. By 11 weeks you should be fine with abdominal though!

It's nothing. You just relax your muscles as much as you can and they use lots of lubricant. I have had so many and they're a walk in the park.

The scans I had were a lot earlier than 11 weeks though. We are talking 6/7.
There is a huge chance it will be seen via normal scan at 11 weeks.

Thank you everyone 🙏. Silly question, would the image be the same or similar to an abdominal scan it work the baby be less visible? I literally have no idea!

More visible because they can get closer to it.

More visible and they are honestly not even a bit uncomfortable. I advise you wear a dress with leggings - means you can keep covered up whether they do transvaginal or abdominal

@IWillBeWaxingAnOwl thank you for the advice ☺️

We had a few early scans that were all vaginally, at our 12 week we tried for abdominal scan but I had a tilted pelvis so had to go back for another vaginally one. They're nothing like a smear, the wand looks very long but it's fairly thin and lubricated and I didn't find it uncomfortable, maybe slightly at certain points when she was trying to check my ovaries but definitely not painful in any way. The picture is much clearer as well than the abdominal scans so make sure to get some pics to take home! Hope all goes well for you. They had a blanket to put over your legs for dignity and everyone we met in fetal assessment was absolutely lovely and very reassuring.

I had a transvaginal scan (or dildo cam 😂) at 6 weeks and it was honestly fine. You're obviously aware somethings up there but it's like a very thin wand, no pain.

I had an early scan at 10 weeks with an anterior placenta and a tilted back womb and they got a great image just through the abdomin and i didnt need transvaginal so i recon you'll be fine.

@Cw112 and @Greeneyegirl , thank you guys - all very reassuring x

At that stage they shouldn’t need to do it if they try abdominal first. I had drank so much water my bladder was literally about to pop. I had to walk up and down outside before my appointment because I knew I wasn’t to go to the toilet before it 🙈 It paid off though, she got a clear picture of the baby at 8 weeks from an abdominal one and I didn’t need the internal. Fast forward to 20 weeks when my placenta was low.. out came the probe anyway 🙄😂 It’s absolutely nothing though, you don’t feel it. Very weird how it works and a baby just appears on the screen. I used to wear a longer top to my appointments after that in case I needed another one

I'm a bit surprised they've bothered to refer you for an early scan for that reason - especially as the window you've mentioned is only 4 days. The 12-week scan is actually referred to as the dating scan, and they will change your edd based on that even if you're absolutely certain of your dates -- and at that point abdominal-only is completely standard.

Obviously it's fine if you're happy with the possibility of an internal scan, but I would definitely have been asking the MW more about why she felt this was necessary.

@LordMooey I thought the same, I think the midwife was concerned that I could miss the window for the Down syndrome and other screening blood test if my dates weren't as accurate as possible. I've never done this before so I have no idea 🤣

@rebecca100 I also disagree that scan dating is the exact science they pretend it is. In this pregnancy I had my edd brought forward by 6 days based on measurements, despite my protestations that there was only one occasion in the month I conceived when it could possibly have happened! However, the new dates also didn't make a difference to the tests I was offered. It still seems strange to me that 4 days is considered enough uncertainty to take up an extra scan appointment, when your 12-week scan could take place at any time up to 13+6 anyway (or even later if they really can't control their waiting lists - it does happen). I am the pushy type who questions everything and declines lots, though. I'm certainly not suggesting you shouldn't take it if you want it.

@LordMooey yeah I completely understand everything you're saying. I will just take the opportunity of the additional scan, I'd like the reassurance as until the 12 weeks I only have a few pee sticks as confirmation 🤣

@rebecca100 yep I get that too! Think I just love a bit of an argument 😆