Early scans with retroverted uterus

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Hi all

Anyone else here with a retroverted uterus, how did you get on with early pregnancy scans? Due to vaginismus I am also not able to have internal scans, so have only had two abdominal scans, the second of which was worrying and didn’t show growth (at about 7 and a half to 9 weeks ish) we came out of the appointment with so may unknowns. Been referred to EPAU, waiting for my appointment next week. That will be another abdominal scan - that’s all I can tolerate.

Just want to hear others experiences - positive or negative. I’m prepared for the worst but want to have some hope.

I have a retroverted uterus but have no problem with transvaginal scans, so can’t report on scans in the first trimester. However, my dating scans at 13 weeks were both a nightmare. It said “technically difficult scan due to severely retroverted uterus” on both reports. After lots of waiting, hip wriggling and being sent for walks they managed to get what they needed, but with my second in particular it was very nearly a case of not being able to complete the scan. I’d prepare for the fact that they may not be able to tell you much yet to be honest.

Similar to @Robin223. Retroverted uterus and had TV scans at 5 and 7 weeks. My dating scan around 12 weeks was abdominal with a full bladder. They got what they needed after a while and emptying of bladder. Notes said unclear picture due to retroverted uterus. I think early abdominal scans aren't going to show you much I'm afraid.

Same here, 12 week scan took several hours and we had to go away and come back to be scanned in their lunch break. Luckily I could tolerate a transvaginal scan. Is it possible you have mistaken your retroverted uterus for vaginismus? I only ask as smears etc were always agony for me, couldn’t use tampons and could only have sex in certain positions etc, found out in pregnancy that I had a very retroverted uterus. Raising hips and sitting on my fists has helped with smears etc significantly, it might also help with a transnational scan.

I don’t know, I have wondered if vaginismus has been confused with retroverted uterus - either way it sort of doesn’t matter to me because it hurts like absolute hell. At home I can cope with it because I have a number of coping mechanisms (hence why I was able to get pregnant!) but it takes time, I have to be in a comfortable environment etc. Unfortunately medical professionals don’t seem to care either way and just give up at the first hurdle. You’d think there would be a way for them to sedate me or make me feel more at ease, or at least if they gave me more time I’d be able to relax, but in a pressured 10 minute environment my body can’t do that!

If it comes to it, next week I will suggest about raising hips and sitting on my fists - but again, they’re medical professionals, why on earth have they not suggested that in my previous 2 scans 🤦🏻‍♀️ I’m just so annoyed by it all! Really feels like unless you fit the standard typical pregnancy and body they can’t seem to cope with it. So disappointing.

Definitely try raised hips/sitting on fists it really helped me signficantly when I had my first smear post birth. For me it never mattered how much I “relaxed” as the problem was physiological not mental.

DEFINITELY request gas and air when you have to have cervix checked/anything inserted in the cervix in the third trimester btw.

It’s very much relevant how big you are. I had an early scan with my first and they were training sonogrophers so I hear them be told this and they probably would not need to do the internal as I was skinny (was a size 6/8 then). I also lost a twin and an had an early scan with my second and they could see remaining baby fine at 8 weeks. Third baby I was a size 12/14 and they didn’t even try externally as they knew they wouldn’t be able to see

I was told I was having twins!! Completely incorrect.

That’s not necessarily true with a retroverted uterus. I’m very slim, size 8 and carry no weight on my tummy, and my dating scans were still a nightmare. They really had to push the probe into me to get what they needed.

Would it help if you could try and put the internal scan probe in yourself? They're usually pretty accommodating for women, who need to do this.

Interesting - I’m size 14 so definitely not small!

Wow!! Was that with an abdominal scan?

No I tried and if anything I get more stressed. Just can’t tolerate it at all!

I never knew I had a retroverted uterus until and early scan with my first baby. I've had 3 pregnancies and never had any issues with scans

Yes! Luckily it was my first pregnancy so I thought it was great news and was disappointed when it turned out to be wrong. If it had been my second pregnancy I would have had a breakdown!!

Not that there’s anything wrong with having twins, I am just a rather lazy person who would have struggled to cope!

Can’t believe they got it so wrong!

They blamed it on my retroverted uterus. My DSIS is the same. We both gave birth to babies facing the wrong way too. Not sure if that’s linked

I have a retroverted uterus and had abdominal scans with both of mine at 8 weeks, no issues with seeing the baby and getting the measurements. I did have TV scans later on due to problems with my cervix and had to put my fists under my bum to help them, same for a sweep and when they needed to break my waters with DD2. So for me TV scans were more tricky than abdominal scans, but otherwise ok.

DD has a retroverted uterus. She finds TV scans very painful. I always tell her to put a cushion under her hips for a TV scans.

Sorry you're going through this wait OP. I have a retrovert uterus and in 2 pregnancies I've had abdominal scans at 8 and 10 weeks at a private clinic and they were able to get measurements and date fetus without difficulty. In another pregnancy which resulted in a loss I had abdominal scans at 7 and 9 weeks. At the 9 week scan they thought the HB had stopped and decided to do a trans vaginal scan to confirm it (I don't think they needed to, I could see it had stopped). I know the wait can be agonising, be kind to yourself and I hope you get a positive outcome.

do you mind me asking whether you were Abel to have PIV sex to get pregnant? I have vagismus I suspect too becasue sex is impossible for me

Yes I was. Had to have physio sessions privately, with someone that specialises in pelvic physio. Had to do lots of relaxation exercises, meditation etc to try and rewire my nervous system. Lots of practice, doing it slowly. It’s definitely doable but takes time and patience and a good partner! Luckily my husband is super understanding.

Hi LucyLoo1972, have a look in at home insemination with syringes. The Reddit board queerception is really helpful for this. You don’t need PIV sex to get pregnant

Could be my first was sunny side up. My second fist and arm came out first.

Early scans were a nightmare for me full bladder or not. I had to be 20 weeks before they got a good look.