In plain words
A transvaginal ultrasound uses a thin, lubricated probe placed gently in the vagina to make pictures. Because the probe is closer, the images can show the cervix, the uterus, and early pregnancy in more detail than a scan on the belly. It is commonly used in early pregnancy to check location and heartbeat, and later to measure the cervix. It is considered safe in pregnancy. Some people find it uncomfortable or awkward, though it is usually brief. The clinician usually explains what the scan is looking for before it starts. A trained clinician reads the results, and the care team explains what they mean for you.
The deeper version
Transvaginal ultrasound is the diagnostic standard for early pregnancy localization and for , and it is safe with . Cervical length is measured in millimeters along the endocervical canal, and a short midtrimester cervix is used to stratify preterm birth risk. Diagnostic accuracy depends on operator skill and the gestational window. Transperineal ultrasound is an alternative when the vaginal route is unsuitable. Serial measurement is used in some cohorts, and the value of universal screening is debated.
Where it comes up
- Ectopic and molar pregnancyLoss and Complications
- Placenta previa and other placenta findingsPregnancy: Your Body
- Short cervix and signs of preterm laborPregnancy: Your Body
What mothers here say about transvaginal ultrasound
No one has posted under this term yet.
Sources
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists — Practice Bulletin 234: Prediction and Prevention of Spontaneous Preterm Birth, 2021
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence — Ectopic pregnancy and miscarriage, NG126, 2019