Transvaginal Ultrasound Scan

What is this?
Transvaginal  - cos it is via your vagina. It is invasive
Ultrasound - The machine uses sound waves to form images.

Why do this?
For people wanting to attempt IUI/IVF, we do it to
1) Check on abnormal stuff like cysts, fibroid. This is also how a polyp is discovered. In this way, you can rule out infertility because of this causes
2) For me, it was also done in addition to the abdominal ultrasound scan - to give the sonographer and doctor the best picture of your reproductive organs.

How is this done?
1) You do NOT need to drink up. You need to have an empty bladder. I did the abdominal scan first, followed by this scan. The trick is to pee. Wait. Wait till you have 1-2 more gushes of pee. You need to be really empty. If you do not wait, you will notice that your next pee will come pretty soon.
2) Once in the room, you will need to remove your panties. You should be given a towel to cover up :)
3) Sonographer will wear condom for the probe! Funny! This time, the probe is in a stick form. She will then add gel on top of the condom. For the first time, you might want to ask the sonographer to add more gel. Apparently it helps.
Note: My advice is targeted at the first timers like myself. 
4) You will lie down, with your knees bent (soles are faced down on the bed). You could get a cushion to be placed under your butt so that it helps.
5) The sonographer will then insert the probe via your vagina.
Note: Do not tense. Your thighs and butt are usually the ones that gets tensed. When you are tensed, the sonographer cannot get the probe in. 
What helps?
-breathing in and out
-coughing (yes!!! it helps) But becareful. At certain spots, she needs you to be still.

How long?
About 5-15 mins? Depending on the needs for the scan.

Any pain?
It is not painful. It is just uncomfortable. Once the probe is in, it is ok in most regions. It is uncomfortable once in a while when she moves over certain regions.
Note: The probe looks almost intimidating. But actually, only a small part of the probe is inserted. 

Who is a sonographer?
This is the professional name for the person who does the ultrasound for you. In hospitals, it is mainly done by a sonographer. In a private practice, the doctor does it for you.
The only difference is that when done by a sonographer, you clean up the gel on your own!
With a private doctor, his/her nurse will clean up for you! :)

Cost in 2013:
1) Gynae at Raffles Hospital (Fertility clinic) - $96.30 (just abdominal scan)
2) Sonographer at KKH  - $127.33 (please note that this is for abdominal and transvaginal scan)