Internal ultrasound - what to expect?

[AmyTTC]

Hello everyone!

I'm having an internal (TV) ultrasound on Monday afternoon and I'm extremely nervous as I didn't realise it was going to be internal!

Can any one reassure me what to expect? How does it feel? Is it uncomfortable?

Thank you

It feels uncomfortable when it goes in but once it's in the right place you can't really feel it

@chloxhunt thanks for your reply! Uncomfortable as in painful? They told me that the probe was only as big as a tampon .

Don't know why I'm so nervous about this

Not painful at all. A lovely women did mine. She was super-discreet, highly efficient, and it wasn't even uncomfortable.

The wand thing is quite small, covered with a bit of film (I suppose like a condom), a bit of KY and nothing to worry about. No speculum involved or anything like that. Just try to relax and you'll be fine!

A bit like having a smear. Doesn't hurt though, just try to relax as that will make it easier.

I would actually say quite a lot better than having a smear - much less uncomfortable than a speculum (for me, anyway). I had quite a few over the course of a few pregnancies and I thought they were nicer than an external ultrasound where they press really hard on your stomach!

Hope it goes well and gives you whatever the best result is, depending on the reason for the scan.

Depends what it's for. They use loads of gel so you don't really feel it much. Not uncomfortable unless they prod eg your ovaries a bit, sometimes they do this eg to see if the ovary moves around or if you have a cyst. If there's a cyst they will take measurements on screen. Sometimes you can see the screen, sometimes not. But it's not painful painful, more like being prodded.

You will be covered up with a sheet thing over knees and the room is usually dim for the USS machine to be seen easily.

Smears are much worse imo.

@Hardbackwriter thank you! They are checking for a cyst or to see what else is going on as I've had some discomfort for a while. So fingers crossed it's not anything to worry about as we are currently TTC.

And thank you everyone else for you replies i feel much better about it now, you've all really reassured me!

Smears for me are horrible. I always find them very painful.

I had one to date an early pregnancy and it was fine, a little uncomfortable but not painful at all. She found a cyst whilst there and had to do some poking around but again, not painful, just uncomfortable.

Kinda does a bit but that's because it's blend and it's not rounded if that make sense? But it's like a second then gone

I've had it twice and it's never uncomfortable for me. Well, the only uncomfortable bit is having to have an examination like that. They are very discrete about it all, and in my experience you are less exposed than when having a smear test.
I think the only really uncomfortable bit is having the external ultrasound as you need a full bladder, as they do press your belly and area quite hard. I don't know if you are having that one too.
I hope it goes well for you on Monday @AmyTTC

Hi @longtompot yes having an external too. Never had one of those either!

@DriftGames how did they treat your cyst?

Sorry to keep asking so many questions! You've all been so helpful and reassuring xx

I've had a fair few over the years. They really aren't as bad as what you think. The probe is smeared with lube and gently inserted. You might be asked to make fists and put them under you to tilt you up slightly or sometimes they put a sloping cushion in the middle of the bed and get you to put your bum on that and then lay back. Does feel a bit like you're going to fall off the bed but you won't. You might get a slight period like cramp when the probe is moved from left to right but it's nothing unmanageable. Mine only hurt bad last time because I was miscarrying and cramping up massively. I prefer them to normal ultrasounds and the immense relief when they tell you to go empty your bladder so they can do the internal one is bloody amazing! I had to have one to check my liver. That one did hurt because the probe was pushed deep into my rib area

@AmyTTC they've not treated as it's not causing any issues and was likely related to the pregnancy. Unfortunately I terminated this pregnancy (personal reasons) and was just told to monitor for any pain on that side but if it doesn't cause any issues it will likely disappear on its own.

I'd rather have one than a smear.

You will have your knees up on a wedge cushion.

The first one I was offered a choice of condoms, I was tempted to say, 'ridged'

Il be honest, I’ve had one about 7 years ago and they put it in and obviously that can be uncomfortable but should be fine once inside. I don’t know why but the woman doing it was pushing it up and around very hard. I felt like passing out, I felt that the probe was literally touching my ovaries. It’s been 7 years and I’ll never forget the feeling. I’ve had 2 smears and apart from the speculum going in I didn’t feel a thing. The reason it hurt me was because she was pushing the probe so far up I thought I was going to rip in half. I should have spoken up and asked her to be more gentle. Wait and see how far they put it in and as soon as it feels uncomfortable ask the person to pull it out a bit. I genuinely would have accepted gas and air had it been offered.

I had an internal scan last year and I was absolutely dreading it. I was threatening to cancel it as I got myself into such a state over it. Never had one before and my babies were born 29 and 30 years ago so totally not used to having people looking down there!!
It was absolutely fine, not painful or embarrassing at all. It was very quick and I felt totally relaxed.
I was very releaved I had it done as I was diagnosed with stage 1 ovarian cancer. 4 weeks later I had a complete hysterectomy and a ovarian tumour weighing 50lbs removed!!

I had one last month for a cyst and it was absolutely fine. The technician was lovely, very reassuring and it was a lot less uncomfortable than a smear test. It was done and dusted in under five minutes as well.

I had one yesterday and as i'd had one some years back I was quite calm about it. After a painful external ultrasound as she said she was "trying to move your bowels aside" the internal one was not nice at all, she seemed to be moving the end of the probe about inside me and I felt sick afterwards. Later I had cystitis and now I feel uncomfortable and bruised inside. i feel rather violated and weepy today, not sure how I will cope with anything else if more tests needed.