Pregnant but scared of Internal Scan - need advise | ExpatWoman.com
 

Pregnant but scared of Internal Scan - need advise

30
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 03 June 2013 - 08:12

Hi All,

I had a miracle this week, i got positive on HPT (tested 4 times) and got positive in Bloodtest too. Why I said miracle because I have anxiety problem and conceiving was really difficult in my condition. Anyway God is so Good and He answered our prayers.

I went to see OB last night although I told her about my issue, she still convinced me to do internal scan, which i tried to tolerate, but eventually unsuccessful because of the pain. Now i'm schedule for the pelvic scan. The situation was really awkward. I felt embarrassed and hurt.

I wanted to change OB but dont want to go through that situation again. Is there really a way not to have this internal scan, or is it really necessary? I dont want to compromise my baby's health but at the same time I also need to feel secure and safe. DH is really supportive but since this is our first baby, we really wanted to do what is proper.

Please advise.

Lovingwife

30
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 11 June 2013 - 08:11
Lovingwife, I had an anxiety problem as well and was hesitant to go through an internal scan at 6 weeks. However, the nurse/technician really comforted me, helped me relax and used lots of lubrication before she inserted the probe. I must admit it wasnt bad at all. DO talk to your technician, tell her you have an anxiety issue...apparently they face many women like us and know how to deal with us:) I agree that you do not need internal scans and the baby's heartbeat can be traced on a regular ultrasound from 8 weeks onwards. However, based on my experience, I would say that just go ahead with it confidently. At the end of 9 months, you will have to push a baby out (which I promise isn't as bad as most of our anxious types believe) and these small internal scans will get you confident about the final deal. Trust me. Good luck! Probably I was also not prepared that time and it heightened my anxiety but im still hopeful that Ill be able to do it someday. Thanks a lot!
54
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 June 2013 - 16:56
Lovingwife... Just saw your last reply. I am glad that your OB respected your decision. Now sit back and just enjoy your pregnancy. Good luck!
54
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 June 2013 - 16:55
Lovingwife, I had an anxiety problem as well and was hesitant to go through an internal scan at 6 weeks. However, the nurse/technician really comforted me, helped me relax and used lots of lubrication before she inserted the probe. I must admit it wasnt bad at all. DO talk to your technician, tell her you have an anxiety issue...apparently they face many women like us and know how to deal with us:) I agree that you do not need internal scans and the baby's heartbeat can be traced on a regular ultrasound from 8 weeks onwards. However, based on my experience, I would say that just go ahead with it confidently. At the end of 9 months, you will have to push a baby out (which I promise isn't as bad as most of our anxious types believe) and these small internal scans will get you confident about the final deal. Trust me. Good luck!
30
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 09 June 2013 - 08:31
I delivered my baby 7 weeks ago and for my whole pregnancy i never had an internal scan, only an ultrasound done through my stomach. I went to NMC for the majority of my pregnancy but changed to Al Garhoud right at the end and delivered there. Had my final check up with OBGYN the other day and it was the first time i had an internal scan to check if my uterus was back to normal which it was thank God. Not the nicest thing in the world, those internal scans :( Thanks MrsA, I will stick to my OB as she had done my surgery before (had a cysts in my ovary). But I got cleared with her that I dont want to have internal scan and she respected it.
179
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 07 June 2013 - 22:19
I delivered my baby 7 weeks ago and for my whole pregnancy i never had an internal scan, only an ultrasound done through my stomach. I went to NMC for the majority of my pregnancy but changed to Al Garhoud right at the end and delivered there. Had my final check up with OBGYN the other day and it was the first time i had an internal scan to check if my uterus was back to normal which it was thank God. Not the nicest thing in the world, those internal scans :(
30
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 04 June 2013 - 14:17
Sorry for the confusion ladies, I am very new to this. I think I posted twice. One here and the other on Dubai Region.
4062
Posts
EW MASTER
Latest post on 04 June 2013 - 13:29
I thought so too TDB but double checked before I got in a huff with admin. There is an identical OP on the main board, our replies are on that one :)
30
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 04 June 2013 - 12:02
thank you ladies for the feedback. I appreciate it! :-)
42
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 03 June 2013 - 18:05
So sorry you had such a bad experience...there is no reason for internal exams (scans or not) during the pregnancy as long as all is going well. In fact lots of women refuse even the "dilation" checks during the final weeks/days as it actually has more risks than benefits! Yes, change doctors...and don't be afraid to speak up, you don't need to go through any procedure if you feel uncomfortable about it. Our bodies are amazing and know how to grow babies...doctors should really be there only for very rare cases. As Kiwispiers said in most countries two external ultrasounds are the norm, you can always use that as an argument if any doctor wants to do an internal scan again. Congrats on the pregnancy! :)
2782
Posts
EW EXPERT
Latest post on 03 June 2013 - 12:01
I havent had internal scans for either of my pregnancies, I would say for the majority of pregnancies they are totally unnecessary. They are really just for ressurance (ie to tell you the baby is alive and growing) rather than medically important and mho often having scans to early can cause unnessary stress if the dr can't find a heartbeat. What is the purpose of the pelvic scan? Do you have some sort of abnormality that needs monitoring? In many countries women only recieve 2 scans, one at 12 weeks and one at 20 weeks, and sometimes another earlier on just to confirm dates in order to do the 12 week scan at the correct time. If you don't want internal scans just say so, from around 8 weeks (6 weeks after you conceive) the heartbeat can usually be checked with an external scan and you don't usually have internal scans after that point. Unless you have reason to be concerned then maybe just chill at home until further along in your pregnancy. I didn't even go to a dr until I was around 8 weeks and I only went tat early because I had to fly long distances at around 9 weeks in both pregnancies and just wanted to make sure all was well before getting on a plane for 20 odd hours. Congratulations and all the best!
477
Posts
EW EXPLORER
Latest post on 03 June 2013 - 09:02
i agree with LB79. for the next 9 months you are going to poked and prodded (in a good way, and for a VERY good cause) so better get used to it. it is not harmful to you or your baby and some of the best progress appointments of mine were from internal scans. such a wonderful time. CONGRATULATIONS :D
57
Posts
EW NEWBIE
Latest post on 03 June 2013 - 08:54
Hi All, I had a miracle this week, i got positive on HPT (tested 4 times) and got positive in Bloodtest too. Why I said miracle because I have anxiety problem and conceiving was really difficult in my condition. Anyway God is so Good and He answered our prayers. I went to see OB last night although I told her about my issue, she still convinced me to do internal scan, which i tried to tolerate, but eventually unsuccessful because of the pain. Now i'm schedule for the pelvic scan. The situation was really awkward. I felt embarrassed and hurt. I wanted to change OB but dont want to go through that situation again. Is there really a way not to have this internal scan, or is it really necessary? I dont want to compromise my baby's health but at the same time I also need to feel secure and safe. DH is really supportive but since this is our first baby, we really wanted to do what is proper. Please advise. Lovingwife Congratulations that you're pregnant! Afraid to say that being pregnant means you'll have to undergo a number of internal scans. They're not that bad, you just need to relax. You have to put the baby first and deal with some uncomfortable procedures for the next 9 months now. Good luck!
 
 

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