Aa
refusing ultrasound, what do you think?
Okay as many of you know I am on my second obgyn. Third if you want to count my family doctor as being the first to examine me. I just want some opinions on what you would do in my situation. This latest obgyn she seems nice enough, even made me laugh and I felt as if she listened to me. The main thing that has me puzzled is that she 100% refused to give me a belly ultrasound at 8 weeks. I did ask why, and she said it's her policy and she doesn't do them that early on. She told me to call Monday (which is today) and schedule an appointment for sometime during the week of June 8th. I called set up an appt. for Wed. 10th. While on the phone they asked me what the appt. was for and I said I am pretty sure she wanted me to come back for an ultrasound. After being on hold forever, someone came back and said, yes that is fine. I said, A belly ultrasound correct? I got put on hold again, and then was told, No, you will be getting a transvaginal. At this point I will be almost at 10-11weeks. Now, I have talked to all 3 of my sisters and my best friend and all of them have gotten belly ultrasounds by 8-9 weeks. And NONE of them EVER had a transvaginal ultrasound! Why is this ob refusing me a regular belly ultrasound? Should I just stick with her, or does it sound like my search for a good ob is going to have to continue? What would you gals do? Thanks :)
PS. I'm staying calm LOL
PS. I'm staying calm LOL
8 weeks is early for a belly ultrasound. My doctor usually does transvaginal ones until around 12 weeks and starting around 12 weeks would do a belly one.
my obgyn asked me to insert it myself, I guess so he didn't go to deep ??? I don't know.. but heck it was fine and you will have a beautiful pic on the tele of you baby to keep you mind occupied!
LOL As I mentioned above.. Nah I don't think I want to do it myself. And as far as keeping my ob, Yes, I am keeping this one. There are 4 ob's in this office and I will be having appointments with all of them. I've met two. One female, one male. Both seem good. The male ob was in the front office when we met and he was being all goofy.. and I like that. LOL I just like the goofy, down to earth, easy to talk to doctors, more than the blank face serious ones! :) & he was handsome. I am not worried about getting the tv ultraound done. If that is what I have to do, then I will do it. They know about my situation and that I think they will work with me on that and make me feel more at ease. Eventhough, I went through that past trauma and have issues now because of it.....This post was more about how I was confused to be turned down for an ultrasound that I wanted. At the time of my appt. the ob would not give me a tv or a belly. Of course I'm going to prefer the belly to the tv after what has happened to me, any female would!! So, I had to call in a week or two to even schedule the tv/us. If you re-read the post you will see that is what I wrote. I have to giggle because it is harder to explain such situations in written words. I am sure if all was said face to face there would be less confusion. So to end this post finally, Yes, I am keeping my obgyn and yes I will get a tv/us. :) And I know they're usually not a big deal...but I am sure if you knew the extent of what happened to me you would have some fears too. It was all a matter of "what I prefered" to get done. But, I know I will be fine, it just takes a little bit longer for me to build that trust with doctors. Thanks for all the posts, now lets move on to a new subject, can we? LOL I will be on a trip the rest of the week and then coming home for 4-5 days (during which time will be my ultrasound), then I am off again to a little island called "put in bay" for 3 days for our anniversary! King suite right on the beach!! I cannot wait and much needed! In other words, I won't be around for a while to leave anymore confusing posts. hee hee!! Have a wonderful week gals and take care of yourselves!!! Cheers!!
Everyone and the janitor has seen me, so it seems as I've lost count of all my ultrasounds! If it makes you feel better, you can tell the tech you want to insert the wand into your vagina. They keep you covered up during the ultrasound. But seriously..ask to insert the wand yourself. Maybe that will make you more at ease. I've done that a couple of times...not that I asked to ...the tech just gave it to me to do, so i know it can be done.
I understand now. I don't think you should switch Dr's because of this. It sounds like she understands and is willing to work with your fears. Not to worry you but there will be many exams and people involved in your pregnancy and delivery.
My tv us's were just like Amanda described. They had me insert the probe and noone ever touched me. Good luck!
My tv us's were just like Amanda described. They had me insert the probe and noone ever touched me. Good luck!
LOL I don't think I'd want to do it myself. :) And yes, I make sure I tell the doctor upfront about what happened to me and how it affects me. That is one of the reasons I liked this last ob, because she seemed to care and took the time to listen to me, where as the last two-it went in one ear and out the other! This latest ob was the first to say to me, I understand and I am here to work with you, and we will do what we need to get done what we need to get done. The other two maybe muttered two words to me. Knowing this probably explains to everyone a lot of my fears and those who seemed a bit upset with my posts willl now have a better understanding. :) Thanks gals!
Actually I have had 8 different people do my u/s's over the years. Everyone has their own way of doing it. They still never touch me, but some don't ask me to put it in the right spot. They certainly lube it up enough that it just slips into place.
Hmm, now I am curious. I just assumed it was standard practice as they didn't ask me if I wanted to insert it myself, just handed it to me and told me what to do. Each time. I wonder if this is one of those things that differs in Canada and the States. Wondering what others experiences have been now. In any event, I am pretty certain everyone will agree with me that it is completely painless. And Jen is right..I did not find it overly invasive at all.
I've had so many t/v u/s's that, well, I could probably perform them myself. Cheri, I understand a lot of what you're saying. I won't go into details myself but trust me, a transvaginal u/s is a lot less invasive than a lot of stuff that goes on in pregnancy. I highly urge you to discuss your concerns w/your doctor. I'm willing to bet that she'll be very understanding & can address these issues w/you. Perhaps she'll perform the u/s herself? It's worth asking about. I didn't have the opportunity to insert the probe myself - the nurse/tech did it. Actually I've never heard of the patient doing it herself but I haven't asked about it either.
Awww, I think I understand. Maybe I can set your mind at ease a bit. I have had 3 or 4 t/v ultrasounds, all different techs. You take off your clothing from the waist down and are covered with a sheet (before the tech comes in). They hand you the wand and you insert it yourself. The tech does not touch you at all, you do it yourself. The tech may grab the end of the wand to move it a bit, but it is quite long, and again he/she is not seeing you naked nor touching you. That is the way it has been done for me every time, so I am going to assume it's standard to do it that way. I hope that makes you feel a bit better!!
Thanks gals! I appreciate your input. I was asked many times why I am so against the vaginal ultrasound, I am not against it. Some of you already knew and some didn't that I also have problems with getting pelvic exams/paps done as well..what you didn't know is- there IS a reason for that. I don't want to get into those details and tried my best to explain myself without having to give that away. I will say that I had a very horrible experience years back and the only person I have grown to trust to "touch" me is my husband. I know these doctors have to examine me, and I AM trying my best to earn their trust. I really have no choice. I hope that clears things up a little bit without me having to go into details. Take care!
TV ultrasounds are more reliable, give you a clearer picture, and are becoming more and more popular. There's no reason to question why your MD doesn't want to do an abdominal - all MDs have different policies/practices. I would just trust your doctor - you said yourself that your first impression of her was favorable. So, if I were you I'd just go with that initial feeling and stick with her. You're going to make yourself crazy if you obsess over every little thing, sweetie! Just take a deep breath, relax...and let us know your your ultrasound goes on the 10th!
Tricia
Tricia
I too would not worry about the t/v u/s, I have had too many to count when I was TTC for 6 years. but I am sure you are worried about the pain due your problems with your paps but My 16 year old daughter just had a t/v u/s dur to a large cyst on her left overiay and she was a virgin when see had it and she was not in any pain, (other than from the cyst) so I hope you can relax, it will make the test go easier, also it is true once you see that little bean's heart beating away you will forget all about what type of u/s you are having! Hang in there and if you want to chat just let me know. I get all hyped up about all of my testing LOL
Oh just remembered....aren't you the one who doesn't like the pap smears and had a hard time with them??? You don't want the TV U/S because you're worried it will hurt like the pap smear. Well don't worry...those TV U/S don't hurt at all.
And stop judging your docs based on what you think they should do. They are very knowledgeable and your complaint about ths one isn't valid to shop for a new one. It seems to me in all that I read, it's been your opinion about how something that the doctor should have done that upsets you, but they have a degree and have delivered hundreds of babies....so just have faith that they know what's going on. You see them for about 10 minutes (if that long) during a visit and then when you deliver they're just there to catch the baby.
And stop judging your docs based on what you think they should do. They are very knowledgeable and your complaint about ths one isn't valid to shop for a new one. It seems to me in all that I read, it's been your opinion about how something that the doctor should have done that upsets you, but they have a degree and have delivered hundreds of babies....so just have faith that they know what's going on. You see them for about 10 minutes (if that long) during a visit and then when you deliver they're just there to catch the baby.
You worry about the silliest things... you need to have faith in your doctors. First of all a transvaginal ultrasound for as far along as you are is way better than a belly ultrasound. Second belly ultrasounds, as early as you are, require you to drink a ton of water so they can get a better view of the fetus....and that's really uncomfortable.
Your pregnany seems to be progressing without problems. I don't know your past pregnancy history, but it seems things are uncomplicated. Just sit back and enjoy. You are probably being saved a lot of heart ache by foregoing early prenatal testing.
With my first child, they did ultrasound #1 at about 14 to 16 weeks and that was to cofirm dates. I didn't know when my LMP was. Pregnancy #2 they did an ultrasound on me at about 20+ weeks and unfortunately I dont remember the reason...
In an uncomplicated pregnancy there is no medical need for ultrasounds, especially if you don't have a history of problems. As early on as you are or will be when they do this ultrasound the transvaginal is better. Don't worry about all the testing that gets done, and just follow the advice of your doctors. Don't compare your pregnancy with others as far as so and so had this test and you didn't. In my opinion they do too much early testing and lots of times it leads to needless worry. Hang in there.
QUESTION: Why are you upset over the choice of ultrasound?
Your pregnany seems to be progressing without problems. I don't know your past pregnancy history, but it seems things are uncomplicated. Just sit back and enjoy. You are probably being saved a lot of heart ache by foregoing early prenatal testing.
With my first child, they did ultrasound #1 at about 14 to 16 weeks and that was to cofirm dates. I didn't know when my LMP was. Pregnancy #2 they did an ultrasound on me at about 20+ weeks and unfortunately I dont remember the reason...
In an uncomplicated pregnancy there is no medical need for ultrasounds, especially if you don't have a history of problems. As early on as you are or will be when they do this ultrasound the transvaginal is better. Don't worry about all the testing that gets done, and just follow the advice of your doctors. Don't compare your pregnancy with others as far as so and so had this test and you didn't. In my opinion they do too much early testing and lots of times it leads to needless worry. Hang in there.
QUESTION: Why are you upset over the choice of ultrasound?
Hi Cheri,
As the ladies above mentioned, a transvaginal is probably better. So many women have been misdiagnosed when they have only had a pelvic ( belly) ultrasound. I think many technicians and doctors are moving towards transvaginal because there is far less room for a misdiagnosis of m/c.
At my clinic they first do a pelvic and then folllow it up with a vaginal all in the same visit, but I live near NYC and I use a NYC hospital. Not all clinics are as equipped.
When I went for my u/s for my second pregnancy they did not see a heartbeat during the pelvic u/s - if they had not done a vaginal right then and there they may have thought the pregnancy was not viable. The transvaginal found a heartbeat.
Good luck with your u/s - I hope you see a super duper strong heartbeat!
Lisa
As the ladies above mentioned, a transvaginal is probably better. So many women have been misdiagnosed when they have only had a pelvic ( belly) ultrasound. I think many technicians and doctors are moving towards transvaginal because there is far less room for a misdiagnosis of m/c.
At my clinic they first do a pelvic and then folllow it up with a vaginal all in the same visit, but I live near NYC and I use a NYC hospital. Not all clinics are as equipped.
When I went for my u/s for my second pregnancy they did not see a heartbeat during the pelvic u/s - if they had not done a vaginal right then and there they may have thought the pregnancy was not viable. The transvaginal found a heartbeat.
Good luck with your u/s - I hope you see a super duper strong heartbeat!
Lisa
It is not unusual to not have an ultrasound, if there's no problem they need to check out then you should just count yourself lucky.
I had a belly ultrasound early on and all it does is cause a whole lot of worry. I would have much preferred getting the ultrasound that gave me useful info - that would have the been the other type of ultrasound (vaginally).
From what I hear and see from reading and listening there's going to be a whole lot of objects, hands, exams that are vaginally done so you really need to get used to the idea of foreign objects in the nether regions from here on out. Your body is no longer your own, you are just an incubator.
J
I had a belly ultrasound early on and all it does is cause a whole lot of worry. I would have much preferred getting the ultrasound that gave me useful info - that would have the been the other type of ultrasound (vaginally).
From what I hear and see from reading and listening there's going to be a whole lot of objects, hands, exams that are vaginally done so you really need to get used to the idea of foreign objects in the nether regions from here on out. Your body is no longer your own, you are just an incubator.
J
I have had ultrasounds every pregnancy, some at 5 weeks because I was spotting. They always do abdominal first, then just about every time have switched to t/v to get a better look. I have one coming up June 8th that is abdominal. I will be just shy of 7 weeks. How much you want to bet it winds up being t/v. Personally, I want whatever will show a heartbeat. As the others said, many Dr.s prefer t/v in first trimester because they feel it gives a better view. T/V is certainly not painful or even uncomfortable. I actually wish they would just start that way so I don't have to show up with a full bladder...it's so uncomfortable. I too am a bit confused as to why this is bothering you. It's really no big deal, and every OB has their own way of doing things. Once you see that heartbeat, you won't care one way or the other what kind of ultrasound it is!! Many won't even perform an ultrasound at 8 weeks if there is no reason to suspect a problem. Good luck at your ultrasound!!
I would just go with the transvaginal ultrasound. The picture will be a lot more clear anyway than an abdominal one, so you'll be able to see your baby better :-)
Like Kelly said, the transvaginal ultrasounds are really no big deal. They're less invasive than a papsmear. All the doctor will do is insert a probe and the rest will take place on the screen. Totally routine for the doctor and not at all painful or uncomfortable for the patient.
Good luck!
Like Kelly said, the transvaginal ultrasounds are really no big deal. They're less invasive than a papsmear. All the doctor will do is insert a probe and the rest will take place on the screen. Totally routine for the doctor and not at all painful or uncomfortable for the patient.
Good luck!
Yeah, why are you so dead against a tv u/s? It's really no big deal, I've had oooodles of them. There is no reason to give you a belly ultrasound to have a bunch of guessing going on. It's not that she is "refusing" but it's just probably not the norm for the practice. I had a belly one at 11 weeks but that was at the specialist so that might be better equipment. I bet they were baffled that you wanted to make sure it was in fact a "belly" ultrasound because, does it really matter?
I believe a transvaginal ultrasound is more accurate than the belly u/s. I didn't start getting the belly ones until 12 or 13 weeks.
Some Dr's don't/won't do belly us's before 12 wks because they feel you can see better with a transvaginal us. Why are you so insistent on the belly us and not the other?
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