Can someone explain this to me? I understand how it works and what it does...but the diagrams I've googled confuse me as to how you can actually see the baby and the sak.
What was your first experience like? Did it hurt? How far along were you? Did you feel that it was "safe"? Thanks 
GOLD / wonderful pomegranate / 28905 posts
I think it's a wand that's inserted? I never had a transvaginal u/s
GOLD / eggplant / 11517 posts
My first ultrasound was a trans vaginal, at 7 weeks 5, days. It was just a long...wand, which I assume does the same thing as the abdominal one, which is send waves that bounce back and create the sonogram picture. It did not hurt, and it was not shoved up there very deep at all, so I didn't feel like I was risking anything by having the procedure done.
apricot / 446 posts
Like @highwire said, it's only inserted about 2 inches maybe? Not bad at all.
hostess / wonderful persimmon / 25556 posts
Yeah, it's a long wand covered by a condom and lube. Made me laugh. I made my husband look away while she inserted it. They just move it around in there to look for the sac and for multiples! It doesn't hurt at all. There were no side effects to the baby, either. I had it at 7w5d, as well like Highwire.
bananas / 9973 posts
Yes, I've had it done twice (at 6+ weeks and at 12+weeks). It's a wand that inserted vaginally. It was not very uncomfortable, though it does feel weird when it kind of moves around inside. It did not hurt.
I definitely felt like it was safe and didn't feel it against the cervix.
I also liked the screen image quality of the 12+ week transvaginal much better than the over-the-belly ultrasound (because my uterus was deep and low). It was so clear, you could see the bones and perfect outlines! I only wished I had asked for pictures of that, but baby was not in the position the tech wanted to check for. hth!
pomegranate / 3980 posts
I had one at 10 weeks and it really wasn't bad at all. It was a wee bit awkward but not at all painful and I don't see how it could be dangerous since it doesn't go in far at all.
grapefruit / 4669 posts
Umm, looks like a giant dildo. It doesn't hurt but feels odd! It felt to me like it went in way more than 2 inches but I have no idea; they had to kind of angle it towards the side to get some shots which was a weird sensation.
Wear a pantiliner or bring an extra pair of panties for after! They use tons of lube and you will leak a lot afterward.
pomegranate / 3398 posts
I had one between 4 and 5 weeks after I started spotting. Didn't hurt and it's completely safe or they wouldn't do it.
Wear a liner cause of the lube and you may spot a bit depending on how sensitive things are for you.
cantaloupe / 6146 posts
Way less uncomfortable than a speculum.... Not sure about the physics of it though.
GOLD / wonderful coconut / 33402 posts
I got lucky and both my ultrasounds have been tummy. Heard it isn't super uncomfortable though.
squash / 13199 posts
I had a transvaginal ultrasound at 7 weeks and 4 days. it is totally safe only a short tip of the wand is inserted.
pomelo / 5524 posts
I've had several done and they're not bad at all! They usually use a ton of lube though, so I'd use the bathroom afterwards! Definitely less painful than a speculum though. It's just a wand they insert.
wonderful cherry / 21504 posts
I had one done non pregnancy related once (I think to look at my kidneys?) and yeah, it wasn't painful. Just awkward, and I had forgotten about the lube part afterward. Wear a liner.
hostess / watermelon / 14932 posts
I had mine done at 10 weeks - like others have said, wand + condom + lube. My husband's eyes bugged out when he saw it, HAHA. It didn't hurt, maybe a little uncomfortable as she moved it around but I was so enamored by the baby on the screen I could have cared less!
nectarine / 2177 posts
Thanks for all the answers, this is very helpful in terms of knowing what to expect. One other question--do they give you a picture for this ultrasound?
@tororojo: @sorrycharlie: LOL! My husband has been reading a book about pregnancy targeted towards men and he said he was glad he read about this so he wouldn't be shocked when he saw what it was.
pomegranate / 3872 posts
I had two done early on. Less uncomfortable than a regular exam IMO. I didn't have any spotting or cramps afterward, so I felt it was safe enough as far as I know. I do agree with you on not quite getting why it sees what it sees. I think the little camera or receptor or whatever it is on top of the wand is kind of angled and then once it was in the Dr moved it around 'til she got to the right area.
pomegranate / 3716 posts
@tororojo: It felt like more than 2 inches to me too! I was thinking more like 4 inches...
I've had 4 done in the past 4 months since I'm on clomid and they have to check my follicles or something like that... Definitely not an enjoyable experience. Totally awkward!
hostess / watermelon / 14932 posts
@maybebaby: if you ask i'm sure they will! i asked my OB and she printed us one
squash / 13199 posts
@sorrycharlie: yes indeed once the baby comes up on the screen, you totally forget all the awkwardness
GOLD / wonderful apricot / 22646 posts
my first one (dating u/s) was transvag since we were so early (6wks5d?)
imaging wise it was the same as a belly u/s
honeydew / 7504 posts
I've had it done biweekly for the past 10 weeks. It's no more awkward than a pelvic, and actually more comfortable, since it's not a speculum "opening" you up. The image is exactly the same as a belly ultrasound. The weirdest part is watching the tech slip a condom on it! Otherwise, it's no big deal at all. Good luck with your ultrasound!
ETA: For me, it's always been pretty much up against my cervix, but that could be because they're specifically doing checks for incompetent cervix. Even still, it's not uncomfortable, and it definitely doesn't hurt!
GOLD / wonderful olive / 19030 posts
I had 2, one at 9 weeks and one at 19 (they ddi this view as well as my A/S to get a good shot of her heart) and it's not bad at all. It's a wand, that I did not think was that uncomfortable at all. they told me to insert it about an inch is all, so it's not painful and no spotting or cramping afterwards. Less invasive than a PAP to me!
pomegranate / 3053 posts
Yep, just like everyone said, it's a long wand covered with a condom like thing and lube and they insert it up your hoo ha to see the sac. My OB sees his patients at 8 weeks so that's when I went to see him with both of my pregnancies. Doesn't hurt at all. Just feels a bit weird and it was probably weird for my husband to see my OB do that to me! LOL! 
grapefruit / 4669 posts
@maybebaby: I had 2 and they gave us several pictures at each visit without us asking. But both scans were really early (like 6 and 8 wks) and the picture didn't look like a baby at all!
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