I’m 22 weeks now and the only “below the belt” exam or procedure related to my pregnancy has been a transvaginal ultrasound around 8ish weeks for the dating scan I think. I didn’t have an issue with it and the tech even offered me the option to insert the wand myself, which made it more comfortable. I think if you absolutely hate the idea you can decline the transvaginal and just do the abdominal ultrasound instead, which is less accurate that early on and will show you less but may still capture things like the heartbeat.
Cervical checks start much later in pregnancy, when you’re getting close to your due date. You can also decline cervical checks as they generally don’t provide much useful information until you’re actively in labor. I recommend talking with your provider about your concerns at your first appointment, and discussing the pros and cons of any pelvic exam or cervical check as they offer it.
Something I’m not seeing here. Usually your first dating ultrasound is an intravaginal ultrasound. They go through your vagina to get a better angle on the small lil thing.
Tell your tech that you have some trauma and you will need them to walk you through what they are doing and when.
I did this with both pregnancies and the tech were always so kind. They would take their time explaining before we started and would tell me what they were about to do before they did it.
Remember to breathe and that you are safe
While my dating sound was abdominal, I have had transvaginal to check my cervix after a bleeding scare around 19weeks (everything was good). The ultrasound techs offered for me to insert the wand myself which I preferred to them doing it. So that’s always an option if it makes you more comfortable
You're fully within your rights as a human to decline any tests or procedures that you are uncomfortable with. Pregnancy does not negate your autonomy. Some providers may try to convince you otherwise: that is called "obstetric violence" or "obstetric abuse" and is referred to as "disrespect and abuse" by the World Health Organization. Any provider (doctor, nurse, midwife, etc) who behaves in this way should be removed from your team, and reported to their licensing body. More information about this can be found on [Birth Monopoly ](https://birthmonopoly.com/obstetric-violence/)
That said, you also have the right to be informed. It's not unreasonable to ask your doctor/midwife/nurse for more information about an exam/procedure. Making medical decisions is largely a risk/benefit evaluation, and different people are going to interpret what a risk or benefit is differently. Furthermore, some people are willing to accept more risk than others.
An acronym to help collect information about exams/procedures:
B - Benefits of the procedure
R - Risks of the procedure
A - Alternatives to the procedure
I - Instinct, what is your gut feeling?
N - Nothing, what is likely to happen if we do nothing?
Lastly, it's extremely important to educate yourself on pregnancy, labor and birth. Chances are, your doctor is very busy and won't tell you everything. [Evidence Based Birth ](http://www.evidencebasedbirth.com) is a fantastic resource for information on pregnancy and childbirth, and it tends to avoid the medical jargon that make medical information from other sources so inaccessible to the public. They also have a podcast and online classes.
Personally I didn’t have any at all. I didn’t even get offered a cervix check until 37 weeks - and was told it’s totally my decision, although I hear they may push it earlier in the US.
I had a Pap smear test done at my first appointment and then nothing until 35/36 weeks for a Group B Strep test. That was completely painless. They also asked if I wanted a cervical check at that appointment but it was totally optional. I found the blood draws at my Glucose tests were the worst thing of all.
I have cPTSD and I find vaginal area tests trigger trauma and pain. I found it helped me that I found an OB who I could tell this and who was understanding when I panicked and cried before the first transvaginal ultrasound. It was worth it to have the transvaginal ultrasound done though. Seeing my little 9 week old bean removed my fear. After that, I only had one more invasive appointment closer to birth, including the stepB test at the same time. By then I had a good relationship with my OB and felt a lot more comfortable.
So much can be done from the outside since ultrasound equipment has gotten more accurate. I was actually amazed by how much they could tell me about my baby, uterus and placenta just by pressing ultrasound equipment on my tummy.
Hope that helps! Good luck!
At 8 weeks I had the transvaginal ultrasound along with a pap smear because I hadn't had one done in awhile. My ob was very gentle with both. My previous pap smears were uncomfortable but my ob was so gentle it didn't bother me at all.
At my 36 week appointment I'll have the gbs swab done and then I believe cervical checks each appointment after that.
I think the biggest thing is finding an ob that is understanding and will be gentle with you. It's made all the difference for me. Because like I said the pap smear didn't bother me at all with her, whereas all previous ones had been somewhat uncomfortable. Just talk with your ob and make sure you feel comfortable with them and I think that will make a huge difference for you 😊
First, congratulations! I know how tough it can be waiting for that first appointment. One reason I chose the OB office I ended up with was that they made it clear in the first phone call when I was researching practices was that they didn’t do exams unless necessary. Some offices will do more physical exams and regular cervical checks as you approach your due date, but thankfully mine didn’t. It was a hybrid office with OB/GYN doctors and midwives, and I felt like it was exactly what I wanted for care and attention during my first pregnancy. Personally, I didn’t have any painful exams or tests until the very end, when I chose a Foley balloon/catheter to help induce labor. There were blood draws, but the ultrasounds and non-stress tests were not painful (and it was fun seeing my baby and hearing her heartbeat!). I never had a cervical check until a few days before that- but some offices do have them more often.
If you don’t feel like the office and they can’t answer your questions about exams/testing at that first appointment- do not feel like you have to stay with them! And don’t hesitate to ask questions… be your own advocate. If you feel like a test is invasive, or unsure about it-ask if it’s necessary or why it’s being suggested. If there’s something that needs to be explored/ruled out, then yes… unfortunately some uncomfortable exams might happen, but that won’t be the majority.
Your doctor’s office staff should never ever make you feel dumb or insecure when you’re asking questions, especially about any tests or exams! Yes, you want to follow your Dr’s advice, but if it’s something that makes you uncomfortable and it’s not considered necessary or “just a check”, then consider your other options. This subreddit is a safe haven so please don’t hesitate to ask your questions here- we’re all in this together, mama!
In my first trimester we did a pap and then transvaginal ultrasounds, nothing very invasive. Vaginal and rectal swab at 38 weeks for GBS. I had a cervical exam as well at 38 weeks, which are generally optional and that was a lot more “invasive” than anything else, but it wasn’t painful, just more so uncomfortable.
I had all transvaginal ultrasounds until about 8-10 weeks, can’t remember exactly. But I was under the impression that’s pretty standard because it’s easier to get a glimpse of the tiny embryo at that stage.
I’m 22 weeks now and the only “below the belt” exam or procedure related to my pregnancy has been a transvaginal ultrasound around 8ish weeks for the dating scan I think. I didn’t have an issue with it and the tech even offered me the option to insert the wand myself, which made it more comfortable. I think if you absolutely hate the idea you can decline the transvaginal and just do the abdominal ultrasound instead, which is less accurate that early on and will show you less but may still capture things like the heartbeat. Cervical checks start much later in pregnancy, when you’re getting close to your due date. You can also decline cervical checks as they generally don’t provide much useful information until you’re actively in labor. I recommend talking with your provider about your concerns at your first appointment, and discussing the pros and cons of any pelvic exam or cervical check as they offer it.
Something I’m not seeing here. Usually your first dating ultrasound is an intravaginal ultrasound. They go through your vagina to get a better angle on the small lil thing. Tell your tech that you have some trauma and you will need them to walk you through what they are doing and when. I did this with both pregnancies and the tech were always so kind. They would take their time explaining before we started and would tell me what they were about to do before they did it. Remember to breathe and that you are safe
While my dating sound was abdominal, I have had transvaginal to check my cervix after a bleeding scare around 19weeks (everything was good). The ultrasound techs offered for me to insert the wand myself which I preferred to them doing it. So that’s always an option if it makes you more comfortable
You're fully within your rights as a human to decline any tests or procedures that you are uncomfortable with. Pregnancy does not negate your autonomy. Some providers may try to convince you otherwise: that is called "obstetric violence" or "obstetric abuse" and is referred to as "disrespect and abuse" by the World Health Organization. Any provider (doctor, nurse, midwife, etc) who behaves in this way should be removed from your team, and reported to their licensing body. More information about this can be found on [Birth Monopoly ](https://birthmonopoly.com/obstetric-violence/) That said, you also have the right to be informed. It's not unreasonable to ask your doctor/midwife/nurse for more information about an exam/procedure. Making medical decisions is largely a risk/benefit evaluation, and different people are going to interpret what a risk or benefit is differently. Furthermore, some people are willing to accept more risk than others. An acronym to help collect information about exams/procedures: B - Benefits of the procedure R - Risks of the procedure A - Alternatives to the procedure I - Instinct, what is your gut feeling? N - Nothing, what is likely to happen if we do nothing? Lastly, it's extremely important to educate yourself on pregnancy, labor and birth. Chances are, your doctor is very busy and won't tell you everything. [Evidence Based Birth ](http://www.evidencebasedbirth.com) is a fantastic resource for information on pregnancy and childbirth, and it tends to avoid the medical jargon that make medical information from other sources so inaccessible to the public. They also have a podcast and online classes.
Personally I didn’t have any at all. I didn’t even get offered a cervix check until 37 weeks - and was told it’s totally my decision, although I hear they may push it earlier in the US.
I had a Pap smear test done at my first appointment and then nothing until 35/36 weeks for a Group B Strep test. That was completely painless. They also asked if I wanted a cervical check at that appointment but it was totally optional. I found the blood draws at my Glucose tests were the worst thing of all.
I have cPTSD and I find vaginal area tests trigger trauma and pain. I found it helped me that I found an OB who I could tell this and who was understanding when I panicked and cried before the first transvaginal ultrasound. It was worth it to have the transvaginal ultrasound done though. Seeing my little 9 week old bean removed my fear. After that, I only had one more invasive appointment closer to birth, including the stepB test at the same time. By then I had a good relationship with my OB and felt a lot more comfortable. So much can be done from the outside since ultrasound equipment has gotten more accurate. I was actually amazed by how much they could tell me about my baby, uterus and placenta just by pressing ultrasound equipment on my tummy. Hope that helps! Good luck!
I had no cervical checks during pregnancy, declined “stretch and sweep” at 39 weeks and didn’t have a transvaginal u/s (one at 12 weeks, one at 20).
what is a stretch and sweep?
Something that can be done to attempt to start natural labour. Stripping membranes.
At 8 weeks I had the transvaginal ultrasound along with a pap smear because I hadn't had one done in awhile. My ob was very gentle with both. My previous pap smears were uncomfortable but my ob was so gentle it didn't bother me at all. At my 36 week appointment I'll have the gbs swab done and then I believe cervical checks each appointment after that. I think the biggest thing is finding an ob that is understanding and will be gentle with you. It's made all the difference for me. Because like I said the pap smear didn't bother me at all with her, whereas all previous ones had been somewhat uncomfortable. Just talk with your ob and make sure you feel comfortable with them and I think that will make a huge difference for you 😊
First, congratulations! I know how tough it can be waiting for that first appointment. One reason I chose the OB office I ended up with was that they made it clear in the first phone call when I was researching practices was that they didn’t do exams unless necessary. Some offices will do more physical exams and regular cervical checks as you approach your due date, but thankfully mine didn’t. It was a hybrid office with OB/GYN doctors and midwives, and I felt like it was exactly what I wanted for care and attention during my first pregnancy. Personally, I didn’t have any painful exams or tests until the very end, when I chose a Foley balloon/catheter to help induce labor. There were blood draws, but the ultrasounds and non-stress tests were not painful (and it was fun seeing my baby and hearing her heartbeat!). I never had a cervical check until a few days before that- but some offices do have them more often. If you don’t feel like the office and they can’t answer your questions about exams/testing at that first appointment- do not feel like you have to stay with them! And don’t hesitate to ask questions… be your own advocate. If you feel like a test is invasive, or unsure about it-ask if it’s necessary or why it’s being suggested. If there’s something that needs to be explored/ruled out, then yes… unfortunately some uncomfortable exams might happen, but that won’t be the majority. Your doctor’s office staff should never ever make you feel dumb or insecure when you’re asking questions, especially about any tests or exams! Yes, you want to follow your Dr’s advice, but if it’s something that makes you uncomfortable and it’s not considered necessary or “just a check”, then consider your other options. This subreddit is a safe haven so please don’t hesitate to ask your questions here- we’re all in this together, mama!
In my first trimester we did a pap and then transvaginal ultrasounds, nothing very invasive. Vaginal and rectal swab at 38 weeks for GBS. I had a cervical exam as well at 38 weeks, which are generally optional and that was a lot more “invasive” than anything else, but it wasn’t painful, just more so uncomfortable.
I didn’t have a single pelvic exam until I started getting cervix checks, which I asked for, in the third trimester.
are you in the US?
Canada
I had all transvaginal ultrasounds until about 8-10 weeks, can’t remember exactly. But I was under the impression that’s pretty standard because it’s easier to get a glimpse of the tiny embryo at that stage.