A/S - Don't skip the vag probe

PregsMcSnoozalot · February 2014

Hey Folks,

I guess this falls into the PSA category, but I just wanted to throw it out there: If they suggest an internal ultrasound to supplement your A/S, I highly recommend doing it.

I know a lot of people find them weird and/or uncomfortable, but my ultrasound tech found that I have placenta previa by using the good 'ole dildo cam....so, diagnostically anyway, it's worth it

The tech gave me the option of signing a release and not doing the internal ultrasound, and now I'm really glad I didn't choose that option.

Just a heads up for those of you ladies with approaching anatomy scans! Hope they go well for everyone

ghostof5letters · February 2014

Interesting. This wasn't an option with my daughter's AS. I'm interested to see if they offer it this time (I'll accept, I'm not squeamish with my vagina and medical professionals)

iris427 · February 2014

I've had 3 a/s now and never had them even mention the vag cam at one. They have always been able to find my placenta just fine and see where it was located. Maybe it depends on the tech/machine.

pantherRN · February 2014

I just had mine on Friday. The tech had no trouble finding both my placenta and cervix, both of which she said were "beautiful". I had a previa on an earlier ultrasound, so it was important to check.

Like PP said, I think it depends on your tech and their equipment.

dobbyisfree · February 2014

I had it done at the NT. My uterus was tilted and the pictures were SO much better from the vaginal cam. It was not even a big deal bc i put it in myself so there was no awkward looking and poking by the tech (but DH had the most disgusted look on his face haha)

Big+Lil · February 2014

At l&d and at the dr they measured my placenta's distance. It looked like it was 4 cm away abdominally, and 1 cm away vaginally. The a/s will use better equipment, but it's a good tip!

My placenta moved up with my daughter, but I understand the worry!

PregsMcSnoozalot · February 2014

bunny0711 said:

Dildo cam!!!! As an RE veteran I've had many and am so glad I had never heard that term when I was having them 2-3 times a week. For anyone who has never had one, they are really not a big deal.

@bunny0711 Same here! I had many, many encounters with the dildo cam during our 5 years TTC, but didn't hear the term 'til I hopped on the Bump after our BFP. Thank goodness

SuperTinkerham · February 2014

I'm not stranger to it, but was surprised when the tech made me insert it myself at the NT scan. My REs always did the insertion.

ghostof5letters · February 2014

SuperTinkerham said:

I'm not stranger to it, but was surprised when the tech made me insert it myself at the NT scan. My REs always did the insertion.

Really?

argonne · February 2014

At far enough along for an A/S they should be able to determine the position of your placenta in relation to your cervix via abdominal scan. If it is close, they may swap to vaginal to get better measurements. They can't check cervical length via abdominal, though.

lolahawaii · February 2014

It wasn't even presented to me as an option. I was told that they do it to check the length of the cervix. I also had to insert it myself, but I'm guessing that has to do with him being an ultrasound tech as opposed to a doctor or a nurse (I.e. And actual medical professional). It's not uncomfortable at all. It's totally no big deal. It was maybe 1 min of my 1 hr 5 min a/s

and they did it at the very end.

Ylvelill · February 2014

I didn't know what to say when the tech offered that I could insert it myself

I just said, na that's fine but then she kinda fumbled, it was awkward!

Never had anyone else have trouble with it then 13466432 time I had it done during ttc.

ghostof5letters · February 2014

This would have been super awkward for me last time considering my mom and MIL were in teh room.

SuperTinkerham · February 2014

Yes self insertion was weird!

pantherRN · February 2014

I've had a bunch of TVUS and have always had to do it myself...

Wrights22 · February 2014

I've had them plenty too with visits to fertility specialist. But was also very weirded out when my regular obgyn tech asked me to insert myself? Say wha? Why? Weird.... Never felt strange or awkward until that time.

youreggoispreggo · February 2014

I haven't had my A/S yet but my first ultrasound was the vagcam because it was so early. They did the work, though! I feel like putting it in myself infront of the tech would feel weird.

Jbosarge85 · February 2014

With DD and this LO my dating ultrasound has always had to be with the dildo cam because I have a tilted uterus, but once it's time for my a/s my uterus isn't tilted anymore so they use the normal wand. Never had to insert it myself, I think that would be awkward.

TallMomma29 · February 2014

To show how incredibly uninformed I was about pregnancy going into this, I had no idea the "dildo cam" was even a thing! I was totally surprised when the tech came in and asked me to scoot down and whipped that thing out. It was super awkward at first, but I think only because I was completely unprepared (and I'm a bit of a prude). I kind of hope they don't offer it to me for the A/S ;-)

rach1285 · February 2014

Thanks for the heads up, I would have been completely freaked out at my next appointment if they whipped out a dildo cam and I didn't expect it! Lol now I will just laugh thinking of the name!

Kabee4 · February 2014

Like anotherdreamer, I've been to many doctors and had many ultrasounds with the probe at multiple fertility offices. But after switching to My OB he wanted me to inset it myself because of the angle of my uterus and for my comfort. He told me to tell the tech to let me. I agree that it was way more uncomfortable to do it myself. It made it seem like they weren't medical professionals.

brooklynesque · February 2014

They started with the vag cam at my NT scan. (Haven't had my a/s yet.) The (female) tech inserted it and didn't act like it was a big deal. And it was no big deal to me since I've had those things used on me a hundred times during fertility treatments. I'm going to ask them to use it to check cervical length at my a/s if they don't offer.

nola 1017 · February 2014

All of my u/s so far have been with the good ole dildo cam. That's how they diagnosed my placenta bleed and then while monitoring that, they found placenta previa.

nola 1017 · February 2014

^also, one of the techs has me insert it myself but the other tech does it herself. I prefer the tech who does it herself. Way awkward trying to maneuver it and not get the gel on me.

Natdubs · February 2014

I've had dozens (for infertility and very high risk pregnancy with DD) and never had to to insert the thing myself. How awkward....it'd be like inserting a spec for a pap. With DD they did the tvus after using the abdominal probe because of unusual blood flow showing over my cervix. Boy am I glad they did, since I ended up having vasa previa.