Transvaginal:

Transvaginal ultrasound is performed very much like a gynecologic exam and involves the insertion of the transducer into the vagina after the patient empties her bladder. The tip of the transducer is smaller than the standard speculum used when performing a Pap test. A protective cover is placed over the transducer, lubricated with a small amount of gel and then inserted into the vagina. Only two to three inches of the transducer end are inserted into the vagina. The images are obtained from different orientations to get the best views of the uterus and ovaries. Transvaginal ultrasound is usually performed with the patient lying on her back, possibly with her feet in stirrups similar to a gynecologic exam.

 

They use condoms.

huh, well whaddaya know.

 

I think there must be a LOT you never knew/never had to think about before that you just don't find out till you get knocked up...

 

And at that point, it's too late to start feeling all squicky about it, so you just deal

 

Totally!  And I had dysplasia (sp), pre-cancer cells, in my ovaries and uterus, so that's another reason you find out quickly what kind of contraptions can be put inside a woman's body.

Yep but really it's not a big deal. You WANT to have u/s when you go in and you don't get very many. The initial one is to make sure something is in there then you have 1 or 2 more. Or you spend your own money like I did and go get 3-d ones but you can't stand it! I also had a doppler at home so I could listen to his heartbeat every day. Paranoid much? :)

Yeah Breeze, I had dysplasia and have had two biopsies of my cervix taken and many, many paps over the last two years... but I just got back my latest results and I have my first "normal" pap in 2 fricking years. I am SO excited about that. It is a real relief. Now I just have to hope the next one (in December) is also "normal" and then I can go back to only having a pap once a year.

 

Lita, I think I'll probably be like you and get a Doppler, lol. I guess I always thought they did more ultasounds than that. Probably because whenever they show a pregnant lady on tv or in a movie going to the doctor, they show them giving her an ultrasound.

Good for you Miz!   It is really nerve wracking when they don't come back normal.  I ended up having a bunch of cysts all over, and they ( and I ) decided it was time to take it out.  lol.

 

Now I don't have to go to the GYN anymore. 

that must be nice!

If there are issues you would have more (maybe that is obvious? lol) My friend had Gestational Diabetes and I think she had an u/s once a month.

my husband's cousin had GD also... they had to get the baby outta her early and it was still over 9 lbs!

Now this all makes sense.

lol

 

they did both on me.

 

the regular one i had to pee so bad i was in pain. then i peed before the transvaginal one.

 

she tried to tell me it was the size of a tampon. i was like um, right with a friggin tennis ball on top.  it was cool though. i got to see my baby with it's giant head and turtle shaped body.

what?!?! I was picturing a skinny little wand or something - not something the size of a tennis ball!

At 5 weeks & 5 days with Christopher and they did both.

lol i'm exagerating. it was fine once you got past the tip