Internal vs external ultrasound scans
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Topic: Internal vs external ultrasound scans
Posted By: pumpkino
Subject: Internal vs external ultrasound scans
Date Posted: 19 July 2011 at 4:23pm
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As I understand it, before a certain point you have to have an internal ultrasound scan (scope is inserted vaginally) rather than the usual external one. In my last pregnancy my first scan was at nearly 11 weeks and it was just a normal external one so I know the cutoff is sometime before that.
In this pregnancy I have been referred for a dating scan when I will only be (according to dates) 8.5 weeks. That seems pretty early - does anyone know whether it is possible to have an external scan this early or is it more likely that I will have to have an internal one? If internal, I an freaking out a bit because a friend told me it was really uncomfortable - can anyone reassure me???? Thanks! P 
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Replies:
Posted By: oscarboo
Date Posted: 19 July 2011 at 4:29pm
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My scan I have just had was an internal one because that is what the fertility specialist prefer. They are a little uncomfortable but not too bad, most of this one I couldn't feel there were only certain parts where I thought ouch. I think they can also do external ones at this stage as well. ------------- http://lilypie.com" rel="nofollow">  
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Posted By: kebakat
Date Posted: 19 July 2011 at 4:40pm
| They only do that if they are having problems seeing something with the external one.. like I needed one when I had an ectopic. I was 5w5d but with all my others they weren't needed and I had scans around that 6w mark |
Posted By: mothermercury
Date Posted: 19 July 2011 at 4:46pm
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I had just an external scan at 8 weeks. I think they would use the internal one if they were having trouble getting a clear image.
I have also had an internal scan to check on an ovarian cyst after I'd given birth. I didn't find it too uncomfortable at all; the scope was smaller than I thought it would be! Try not to stress - if it happens, it might not be as bad as you think.
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Posted By: MamaT
Date Posted: 19 July 2011 at 4:53pm
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I just had a scan which put me at 5w2d and it was done externally -------------  
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Posted By: pumpkino
Date Posted: 19 July 2011 at 5:02pm
| Oh thanks girls, I feel much better about it now - even if I do have to have one! |
Posted By: Looey85
Date Posted: 19 July 2011 at 5:48pm
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I recently had a dating scan 2 weeks ago, I thought I was 8 weeks, but I was measuring at 6, so was a bit small to be seen externally... so we did internally as well.
To be honest... I was sooooo busting to go pee from having to have a full bladder for the external that when I heard I could pee for an internal I was stoked. Lol! It was only slightly uncomfortable when she was looking at my left ovary, but all in all, it was absolutely fine :) |
Posted By: Gator
Date Posted: 19 July 2011 at 5:56pm
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I have had 2 internal and 2 external scans. The internals didn't feel uncomfortable at all, and to tell the truth I actually preferred the internal ones because they are better done with an empty bladder and I hated having to pee and having someone press on my tummy with the externals.
The first one was for cysts a couple of years ago and the specialist inserted it. The second one was for this pregnancy at 5w4d and due to them not being able to see the baby properly they decided on the internal. For that one the technician made me insert the wand myself which I thought was better so perhaps you can ask for that if you need it. Though at over 8 weeks they should be able to see what they need to see with an external. Hope this helps ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Inkedpixie
Date Posted: 19 July 2011 at 6:22pm
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I had an internal scan at a fertility appointment, which I found was far less uncomfortable than a smear has ever been. Still a little 'odd' but not bad at all ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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Posted By: Hopes
Date Posted: 19 July 2011 at 6:22pm
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Meh, they're a doddle. I don't think you'll need one that far on (although I did have one at nine weeks with Jacob, but that was because FA did it and I think they do it for all of them at that age, I doubt your average place does). But it's no big deal - minimal discomfort, a bit weird having someone put a scanner up your fufu if you're not used to it (I was with all the fertility stuff), but once you get over that - and it's not a biggie - it's not any kind of big deal. -------------   
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Posted By: Red
Date Posted: 19 July 2011 at 7:58pm
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Mine was an external at 7 weeks. I only had internal ones later on in my pregnancy to check where the placenta was cos bubs head was in the way and they were no prob at all. ------------- http://lilypie.com">  http://lilypie.com">
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Posted By: NewMummyJade
Date Posted: 19 July 2011 at 9:54pm
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Hunny in 30 or so weeks you gunna be pushing a watermelon outta that vajayjay, truely the dildo cam is no biggie hehe
Ive had PCOS since I was 13 and they have checked it via internal (dildo cam) once a year since then (im 24...) The duck (speculum) at a smear is 10x worse IMHO At both my pregnancies ive had scans at 5-6 weeks, then again at 7-8 weeks and all have been external
Goodluck for your scan! I love scans, nothing beats seeing that little person in there! ------------- http://lilypie.com"> 
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