Scared to have transvaginal ultrasound in first trimester

[u/miss_scellaniuz]

I am 6 weeks pregnant after experiencing a 22 week loss in December 2024. Although it was undetermined if it was cervical insufficiency. I am scheduled for an 8 week ultrasound but I am scared of having anything inserted near my cervix. How have your experiences been?

[u/Akiamaram]

From what my OB and MFM have told me, they can only measure the cervix via the transvaginal ultrasound. They tried to look via abdomen ultrasound but they couldn't see it clearly. I had an emergency cerclage put into place at 20 weeks, and my follow up appointments have been TV ultrasounds. They've been very gentle and don't push too hard. I don't have any cramping or bleeding after either.

[u/No_Pumpkin_1885]

Hey just wanted to pop in and say Hi 👋🏻 I’m currently 8 weeks after a 20 week pprom loss January 2025. They couldn’t determine what the cause was so looking at this pregnancy as me potentially have cervix shortening. I’ve had two transvaginal ultrasounds so far one at 5 weeks and one at 7 weeks to determine location and viability. I had to have swabs done recently and I found that worse mentally for me but each time I’ve had anything performed this pregnancy everyone has been so wonderful and gentle with me. Everyone you see really is so full of hope for you and pleased it really does help set you at ease they are trying to help you and baby.

Just remember you can always speak up if anything feels uncomfortable that doesn’t matter if it’s mental or physical and you want to stop they can always take a pause and try again when you’re ready. You will be ok ❤️

[u/DimensionGlass]

I had a similar fear at the beginning of my pregnancy and even later in the second trimester. At 6-8 weeks it seems that transvaginal is the only way they can truly view what they need to see. I didn’t have any cramping or bleeding after. They don’t push the probe in as much as you would think

[u/Little-Writing-6087]

Hello! Désolé pour ta perte… J’en suis à 25 semaines et mon médecin fait un contrôle d’échographie transvaginal tous les mois. En réalité c’est la seule méthode fiable pour mesurer le col. Lors de ma précédente grossesse, j’ai expérimenté plusieurs échographies abdominales où mon col paraissait long alors qu’il était en réalité à 3mm avec la poche des eaux qui descendait. J’ai perdu mes deux petits garçons en réanimation après un accouchement à 24+3. J’ai un cerclage qui a été placé à 14 semaines cette fois. Cela semble tenir 🤞🤞🤞 En plus, mon médecin m’expliquait qu’avec la sonde ils voient où ils sont et ne vont pas trop loin alors qu’avec un toucher vaginal c’est plus aléatoire. Bref tu peux avoir confiance. Mais n’hésite pas à prévenir ton médecin et à lui dire que cela te fais peur, il sera encore plus doux.

[u/OyaAmethyst22]

I was freaked out too so I totally get it. They really don’t probe that deep and it’s the only accurate way to tell the length.

[u/twitttterpated]

I was scared of it too but was told that your cervix doesn’t really shorten in first tri. I had a lot of TV ultrasounds since I did IVF and I was fine.

I had a lot of concerns of it shortening before I could get a cerclage at 14w and all the drs seemed unconcerned.

[u/ForgetSarahMarshall → u/twitttterpated]

Yep, the shortening is caused by baby getting heavier and weighing down the cervix, which is why it almost never shortens before 16w. That’s also why preventative cerclages are performed around 14w because baby isn’t heavy enough at that gestation to do damage yet.

[u/Annual-Doctor7696]

This is my third pregnancy with cerclage, first being emergency at 22 weeks , second and third preventative. All pregnancies i got tvs and that had not been an issue. Just tell the radiologist ( if not usual dr) about the cerclage. They know the barrier and will be extra cautious. Dont worry dear

[u/Plane-Note8635]

Hey, I also had a second trimester loss due to suspected ic. I’m currently 11+6 weeks and was really nervous getting internal ultrasounds this pregnancy but thought I would share I have had 5 internal ultrasounds so far. I had them at 5+4, 6+5 for location and monitoring due to having to start heparin 8+5, 9+4 for confirmation of progress to be discharged from fertility clinic and 10+4 at the preterm birth clinic. I won’t lie and say I didn’t get any symptoms, my cervix always feels irritated on the day I have the scan but I’ve been absolutely fine and my cervical length was still good at 3.5cm at the 10+4 scan so I don’t think internal ultrasounds effect the cervix in first trimester. The scanners are gentle and if you do experience any discomfort you can let them know and they will be extra careful. Good luck and I wish you all the best