I can see you (Ultrasound Scanning)

Member Name: wisemind

Product:	Ultrasound Scanning
Date:	13/03/09 (237 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: can check the health of your baby

Disadvantages: can be quite a nervous experience

I thought I would write about my experience of both internal and external ultrasound

As I went through fertility treatment and had treatment called IUI which involved having washed sperm inserted at the time of ovulation. I had to have internal scans to examine look at my ovaries to determine when ovulation was going to happen.

The internal scans are also used during early pregnancy when there is concern of eptopic pregnancy or investigations into other problems as the womb is difficult to see in early pregnancy.

You are asked to empty your bladder before the scan and believe me this is necessary.

I had to lie on a bed with no pants on in the same position as when I have had a smear teat.
The sonographer brings out a very phallic looking probe and covers it with a sheath that just looks like a condom and covers it with a lubricant.

It is inserted into the vagina and is pressed against the bladder to get the scan. This is the point that you are glad that you have emptied your bladder. The sonographer did explain what she could see and show the egg follicles and predict when I needed to return. The whole experience was not painful maybe a little uncomfortable but not one that would worry me if I had to repeat the experience.

The external scan was much more exciting for me as this was first when I was 12 weeks pregnant. I was very nervous for fear that they would find a problem although as I was suffering severe morning sickness at this point I was sure it wasn't a phantom pregnancy.

On this occasion I had to drink plenty water before the scan. It is only the early scans that you need to drink as once the womb has expanded above the pubic bone the baby is much easier to see.

I lay down but this time I just had to pull my skirt down and reveal my tummy. She put some gel on my tummy that was very cold then starts to scan with a probe that she pushes down into my stomach At first the sonographer looks on the monitor herself but this is the heart stopping moment when you are wondering what she is looking at ,can she find a heartbeat. After she had done a few checks she turned the screen round and we finally got to see our baby. At this stage it was too early to see the sex of the baby as the sex organs have not formed at this stage you can however make out the arms and legs and see the heart beat. This is your first view of your baby and is very magical. The sonographer writes up your notes

I had a scan at 20 weeks a which I was very poorly and had been vomiting every ten minutes during the night and told the sonographer that I hadn't got any fluid in my stomach but was reassured that as my pregnancy had progressed she be able to see my baby.

At this scan they would be able to tell the sex if the baby was lying in the right position. I personally didn't want to know .Since I had found out I was pregnant I was convinced I was carrying a boy but wanted to wait till my baby was born to find out however my husband wanted to know so when we were asked we said yes. When she first looked he had his leg up and I thought that we wouldn't be able to see and felt a relief but then she looked from another angle and there was my son with his legs wide open and there was no dispute he was a boy. At this scan as I was feeling so unwell I was extremely relieved he was ok. However he was slightly small for his weeks so I was booked in for growth scans to keep a check on him. After the scan I had to be put on a drip and was admitted to the ward but fortunately I knew my baby was ok.

As my pregnancy progressed a blood condition I carry was detected which can cause anaemia in an unborn baby so I needed consultant scans for a more detailed check. These were held in another area which the monitor is viewable for you so nothing is going on that you can't see. This is in a bigger room and there was a private room in which the results of the scan are discussed and you can have chance to discuss the results with consultant and ask questions in a much more relaxed atmosphere.

In summary they are quite a nervous experience but a chance to check the health of your baby with no risk to its health and a magical chance to see your baby.

Summary: Not to be missed