Transvaginal scan - please reassure me it can’t harm / dislodge the embryo?

[CanAnyoneSmellGarlic]

I had an early dating scan via internal ultrasound this afternoon. I’m in my sixth week of pregnancy.

Since the scan, I feel as though my left ovary area is quite sore, my lower back is a bit sore, my cervix feels a bit tender etc.

I haven’t had any twinges or cramps in this pregnancy at all so far, so I’m just a bit worried that the embryo has been dislodged or that the entrance to my cervix has been bruised, or that something has somehow unsettled that general area.

Is there any link between TV scans and miscarriages? I was pleased to get the reassurance that everything’s ok but now I’m worried I’ve caused harm

Hopeful bump

The baby is in the uterus. The transvaginal scan probe only goes in vagina. The cervix is stopping the probe from getting near the uterus. Don’t worry at all about the scan causing harm.

plus ultrasound itself is completely fine

I would have thought they’d have done them enough to know they don’t cause harm like that. The mind's a powerful thing and your worries could be manifesting themselves physically. If you’re concerned still, phone them tomorrow.

Why on earth would any reputable sonographer do a transvaginal ultrasound to a pregnant woman unless there was a very good chance of miscarriage? Not for something as trivial as getting an early date? That's terrible!

The only time I had a TV US (or any internal exam outside of labour) in 5 pregnancies was when I was having a miscarriage at 6w and bleeding out and it was too early to find a pregnancy any other way (and they tried the usual way first).

I hope you're ok, you must be feeling awful after that!

@BiscuitsandPuffin Eh? Pregnant women have transvaginal scans all the time.

OP as PP has said the probe only enters your vagina, and the embryo is much higher up.

Why on earth would any reputable sonographer do a transvaginal ultrasound to a pregnant woman unless there was a very good chance of miscarriage?

Literally tons of reasons - Google?

Thank you so much for the reassurances to those who have posted.

They use these for early dating of IVF pregancies at the clinic OP, so don’t worry

I had tons of TV scans up to 12 weeks pregnant due to IVF and associated complications. My 21 month old is snoring her head off in bed! TV scans are absolutely fine OP ,and I'm glad others have been able to reassure you 💐

I've had loads of TV scans (IVF) after my viability scan at 8 weeks I had a bit of brown discharge most likely causes by the probe dislodging some old blood but there is no risk to the foetus. I'm 19 weeks now and had to stop myself stripping off from the waist down at last scan as I'm just so used to it!

They're not at all harmful to the developing pregnancy.

I had loads during both pregnancies to check my cervix due to previous surgery. No harm to babies whatsoever.

As PP have said in IVF pregnancies you get quite a few TV scans very early on (we certainly did) and it hasn’t hurt her at all. Currently at 33 weeks :) don’t worry OP!

I found it very uncomfortable after each scan as well, and I think it’s very normal, particularly around the ovaries.

There are a good few centimetres of cervix between vagina and uterus so no, TV scans don't cause miscarriage. I've had plenty and in fact the scan spotted the issue with my cervix this most recent pregnancy and I had a stitch put in to save my baby's life.

Thanks so much all. I read a RCOG position statement earlier that recommended no scans before ten weeks due to a possibility of them warming the tissues up, especially when a Doppler is being used, so that added to my general concern too.

My left ovary still feels a bit sore and tender but I’m trying to tell myself if it is normal and nothing to worry about.