feeling cheated: a/s ultrasound vent

goldenB

Just a preface: my only other u/s was at 7weeks, so I haven't really seen much of baby.

I was so excited for my u/s this morning that I barely slept all night. But when we got to the clinic the technician was so vanilla. She barely said 2 words to me. My DH and mom were in the room but the screen was turned away from me while she was doing all the measurements for about 20mins or so. Then she turns the screen to me for like 30secs and shows me the spine, the face (cutie has big peepers already!) and an upside down profile shot where the face was tucked in and the hand was covering it. I asked her if I could see a profile shot and her response was that the way baby is facing it's hard for her to get one. 

The baby did wave their arm a few times, but was not overly active so I don't understand why she couldn't show me a good profile shot?
I asked how much the baby weighs, how long my cervix is, where is my placenta located and her response was : "Oh don't worry about that".  Really, I worry. That's my schtick. You lady telling me not to worry is only going to make me worry more. Her only other comment was that my placenta goes from the front to the back. What does that even mean? It's low-lying? It's anterior...my head is spinning with questions.

So here I am now now, overanalyzing the pictures and worrying myself silly. #pregnantgirlproblems

All I can really deduce from the pics is that baby is 15cm at 19wk2d. 

My next appt isn't until sept 16 so I just need to chill out, but I will probably call my doctor next week. (In Canada, or at least where I am located the u/s and doctor's office are in two completely different places).

I just wish u/s techs were nicer and more charismatic and just made you feel happy after 'a life-changing ultrasound' and here I am feeling completely robbed of that experience. 

On the bright side, DH and I are officially joining Team Green this pregnancy.

Thanks for listening to me vent. 

Winnieella

I'm sorry your A/S wasn't fun. 

BuckeyeMommy4

I'm sorry you had a sucky experience. Hopefully your doctor can give you some answers when you call.

Congrats on team green! I don't know how you ladies do it.

buckeyebride22

I'm sorry your US wasn't what you had imagined. I don't understand techs like that. And the worry comment, that drives me crazy! Oh cause that's so easy?

MiaMyPuggle

I got a second opinion from a diff u/s place last pregnancy bc my experience was shitty. Ask if you can go to a diff place if you need to get another one for whatever reason.
Sorry your experience blew!

HeartOverMind

I'm sorry you had that experience. I would have been so upset, too. But try not to worry, you will be able to ask all of your questions to your doctor, who knows better than the tech.

The radiologist had to come in at the end of my ultrasound, because the tech was having problems getting the important pics of my baby (she was not cooperating), and he immediately turned the screen away from my view. I was pissed. Like you, I had not seen my baby since 6weeks pg. I just found out yesterday that DH saw our daughter's face and all kinds of things that I didn't get to see when the tech was fishing around. The radiologist was so rude.

Anyway, I don't know what people's problems are. You'll get your answers soon!

goldenB

Thanks, i am really considering going and paying for another ultrasound but they all seem to be elective and are not diagnostic. I don't even know why I feel so emotional. Maybe I hyped it up so much in my head and instead had a very anti-climatic experience.
my UO of the day: I don't like ultrasounds. or maybe, I just don't like the techs that do the ultrasounds.

Cara1024

I'm so sorry. That sounds so frustrating. It does sound like everything was OK with you and baby, but very disappointing that you barely got a look at LO. I'd be very bummed too.

katags

I'm sorry! The u/s tech I had wasn't very friendly either (she was my 7w tech also) but she at least let us warch her take all the measurements!!! She was really quiet so I kept peppering her with questions the entire time - what did you measure? Is that a leg? Etc.

But about the profile shot - she probably was right about the baby's position. I never got to see my baby's face because of her position, so I'm actually really jealous that you got to see yours!!! I'd rather see that than the profile. It's so much more personal

But I really hope your doc can give you the answers you're looking for.

LimeDrops

I'm sorry, that would really upset me too. Is there any way you can request a copy of the report so you at least have some more info?

mrsjenni

Aww, you poor thing!  I hate when you get crappy ultrasound techs... it can really ruin the experience. Just know that I'm sure your baby is perfect, and at least you get to see him/her again in a few weeks.  Most people only get this ONE ultrasound.

Hang in there!

dland0201

I'm sorry you didn't have a good experience.

goldenB

@LimeDrops - I will call my doctor next week and request for him to fax me the results. Not sure if they do this in Canada but it doesn't hurt to ask.

Thanks again to everyone for listening to me. Makes me feel better just getting it out. 

#crazyhormones

goldenB

@mrsjenni - can I expect another u/s at 30wks+ or is this it for me?

The tech did say she recommends it but it depends on the doctor to give the referral. Just wondering what your experience has been like?

AnnikaD20

The u/s clinic where I go (my OB doesn't do them in her office) has two screens- one for the tech to look at, and one mounted up on the wall across from the exam table where I can see it without even bending my neck. It's really nice. Maybe you can find another clinic with a better setup.

I've read other Canada moms complaining that the u/s tech wouldn't tell them anything, so maybe they have different rules about what they're allowed to say? That would be really frusterating for me too though.

twobluelines

I had an equally crappy ultrasound tech this time around.  He wouldn't let me see the monitor, in fact when i craned my neck all off to one side to be able to see it he moved it further away and told me not to do that because it made my abdominal muscles too tight.  He told us he wouldn't tell us the sex because he didn't like to give people information that might be wrong (fortunately the radiologist put it on the report).  Then he kept leaning back and staring at the screen with this WTF face on looking at my baby that I couldn't see.

My husband kept pointing to the body parts they were looking at so I had some idea.  But it was awful.  I have 2 ultrasounds in a week and a half and I am so hoping i have a better technician next time around.

apickett925

That sucks! 

 Are your ultrasounds done at a facility where they do different kinds of radiological tests, or is it just prenatal u/s's? I had to have an ultrasound on my gall bladder 2 years ago at a big facility and that tech couldn't tell me anything.  He slipped when he was checking other organs and asked if I had any issues with my kidneys, but I told him I knew one was a little smaller then the other and might still have some scar tissue around it (horseback riding accident when I was younger).  He couldn't even tell me what he saw and said it would be in the report.  

My prenatal u/s's have all been in my OB's office, by a group that works out of the hospital and basically rent a space in local OB offices to make it easier for patients.  They're a whole lot more talkative because they do prenatal all day, every day.  I'm pretty sure I'd say something if the tech turned the screen away from me, but that's just my personality.  

mrsjenni

goldenB said:

@mrsjenni - can I expect another u/s at 30wks+ or is this it for me?

The tech did say she recommends it but it depends on the doctor to give the referral. Just wondering what your experience has been like?

You're in Canada so I'm not sure.  In the US, for a "standard" healthy pregnancy, most only get one ultrasound b/w 18-20 weeks unless there is a problem (measuring big, measuring small, bleeding issues, etc.)

I did get a later u/s with my first two because I was measuring 4 and 6 weeks ahead with them and they wanted to get an idea of their size (they were both big babies.)  For Reid, I had ultrasounds every week b/c I was high risk and I will again this pregnancy too.  Bi-weekly starting tomorrow and then weekly in the 3rd tri. I had a growth u/s with him as well, separate from my weekly u/s, sigh!) because I was measuring 5 weeks ahead with him. He was a big baby as well.  I'm fully expecting the same with this little bugger

jessicacss

My doctor got super pissed because the u/s tech gave me more info than she should have!  She freaked me out about this cyst, and I had 2 weeks of tossing and turning before I got to see my doctor again, just to hear that the cyst I have on my ovary isn't even that big, and there is nothing to worry about.  My dr told me she was going to call the u/s tech's office and ream her for scaring a mommy to be, because their job is just to take pictures, and give them to the doctor to analyze and discuss with the patient.  Maybe the tech who did yours used to be very informative, but scared one too many mommys, and that is why she is so silent and not helpful?  But I am also sorry that you didn't have a good experience.  In South Florida, there are tons of places that offer affordable 3D ultrasounds, my neighbor did one a couple months ago for only $50.  Another friend referred me to a technical college close by my job that does them for only $25, you should see if there are any near you.  

kschref

That's super frustrating - I hope too that the doctor can give you the answers you want.  Some u/s techs just don't give much away, I think.  My doctor is pretty good about letting the techs answer some questions, but I think that at some practices they don't want the techs to say too much.  Doesn't make the experience any less exasperating, though.

shortstuff15

I was going to say that it sounded like my ultrasound, and I'm in Canada too.  The technicians really aren't allowed to say anything about baby.  I've never had a weight guess ever, nor have I ever known what my cervix was measuring.  The doctors in Canada really just do things differently.  And I've never been able to watch the ultrasound while measurements were being done.  So what you experienced was perfectly normal for what I know. 

As for the profile shot, well if baby wasn't moving much she may have not been able to get one.  I've had to go back with both pregnancies because they weren't able to get all the shots they needed, so you likely will have to go back for another one if they weren't able to get a profile.  Hopefully that helps though!

sugarland726

Sorry your ultrasound experience was crappy.

csandroo

My fetal survey ultra sound was the same way. I was so frusterated. I was trying to ask questions and asked if I could see the monitor etc. and the tech just said "she needs to be quiet while she works." I cried when she left the room. I can't understand how techs especially those who are Mom's themselves can't be slightly engaging and sympathetic to us lying there desperate and excited to catch a glimpse of our little one! I know for me this pregnancy/life during pregnancy has been extremely difficult and getting to see him move and connect with him in that way is one of the only good amazing beautiful things I've experienced in pregnancy -- everything else has been a lot of sickness, pain, turmoil - lol. Not saying it isn't worth it - just saying we need every moment of good we can get in pregnancy!!! It made me want to become an ultrasound tech so that I could do a better job at it then the lady who did ours!!!!

Dishylo

I'm sorry your tech wasn't friendly   Our scans and Dr's appointments are done in different spots too.  So after my last scan, I had to wait until my next appt with my Dr to find out all of the details.  It was at the Dr's appt that they told me I had an anterior placenta which is why I hadn't been feeling kicks/flutters etc.  If I knew that two weeks before...coulda saved me a lot of stress!!!

When is your next Dr's appt?

goldenB

@carisue143 aww ::hugs:: sorry the tech made you cry. and it's touching to read you want to be an ultrasound technician to give others a better experience. 

@dishylo - my worry is that she didn't get all the measurements but she didn't divulge any info either way so i have no way of knowing. My next appt is sept 16, but i will call next week and see if I can get a definite answer that everything is okay with baby from the doctor. Hopefully, because she was pretty quick with the u/s measurements (20mins) maybe thats a good sign? (see, im over-analyzing already). I had a cry-fest to my husband and he made me feel better. 

Also, thanks to everyone who responded - really made me feel less crazy. I appreciate your words so much.

kteeswei

I would feel the same way!!  If it's feasible, I would do the elective U/S- so worth it IMO!  If it only took 20 minutes it sounds like the tech was able to get all the measurements needed because my understanding is they'll do their best to get everything, even if it takes an hour etc...  It's probably a good sign!  Sorry you have to wait so long to see the doctor, my fingers are crossed you find out more on the phone next week!! 

gingerbabe

That sucks! The tech really can make or break the experience. My a/s with DS was absolutely perfect. She involved us with every little thing. Gave us details of everything she was looking at while looking at it. This time around, not so much. She completely ignored my H's presence and didn't involve me much either.

The thing that turns me off from an elective ultrasound is that from what I understand they don't do the technical stuff like measurements. They seem to focus on the cutesy stuff. But I could be totally wrong! I've never had an elective u/s before. For me, I am not so into the cutesy stuff. In fact we don't even keep ultrasound pics. I'm just not a sentimental kind of person. It may be worth it for you if you want a better look at your baby!

Kismc

That's too bad. For a technician, it's just another ultrasound, but to every parent it means the world to be able to check on their baby. I'm sorry you got stuck with someone so mundane. I hope your appointment on the 16th goes way better and puts your mind at ease.

Congratulations on team green!

Dishylo

@goldenB - our tech took about 20 minutes too....that seems "standard".  And I don't think that they're supposed to or allowed to give out any information because our tech wouldn't tell us anything either.  The first tech introduced herself by saying "Please don't interrupt me as I have a lot to do and need to concentrate". 

The tech from Tuesday was different but could see I was upset about the car accident and just wanted to make sure the baby was moving.  I think the tears got to her.  What is it with me and tears lately?!

Definitely call your Dr next week and find out if everything looked ok - they should be able to tell you.  I think sometimes the technicians, Dr's and nurses get so used to seeing the same things day in, day out, it becomes all the same to them.  I think they forget that sometimes, we have no idea what's happening and we need reassurance. 

I don't want to tell you to relax because that's really annoying and I hate it when people tell me to relax.  But I hope that you won't be too stressed in the next few days (((hugs)))

nikki_rose7

YAY on team green!!!! We are team green too. Sorry your ultrasound was so crappy. They never faced the TV away from us ever. They told us when they were checking the genitals and we had to look away. But what a bummer. . . so sorry to hear that.

goldenB

First time this pregnancy I would kill for some wine. I will buy myself some frozen yogurt instead. 

megngregk

"Oh don't worry about that" -- WTF is that about?!

I'm sorry she sucked That's not the experience you should have had. I haven't read the pp, so I'm sorry if this is a repeat comment, but have you considered an elective 3D scan? We're doing one next week since DH wasn't able to go to the A/S on Tuesday. Maybe that would make you feel better.

goldenB

@megngregk - at this point if the doctor says baby is healthy I can live with my crappy u/s pics. But...I will sit with it for a few more days and if it's still bothering me in a week or so, then I will probably go to a private clinic so that I could see my little babes again.

megngregk

I don't blame you, @goldenB. Sounds like a good plan. Another way to look at is in 20ish weeks, you'll have that beautiful baby on the outside, and you can stare at him/her all day long. And spit in the face of U/S tech if you ever see her again

KristaBelieve

That stinks! Yes, you deserve that time to view and get the answers to your questions.  Will they do another u/s at your September appointment?  I hope so.  We could not get a good profile or face shot so they want us to come back to get all that.  The specialist actually performed the a/s and knew we got pregnant via IVF.  He was so wonderful he wants us to bring a DVD when we go back to record the u/s.  With everything you've been through, I hope your OB is more considerate than the tech was and will give you the special treatment you deserve.  Good luck!

LindsB314

Congrats on team green! Sorry about your experience mine was similar today and the tech didn't let me see the screen until at least 1/2 hour. If I did want to know the sex I would've gone crazy waiting! When I asked her questions, she did answer though. I would definitely follow up with your ob! GL and enjoy your frozen yogurt! I just had some yummy Ben & Jerry's!

jldubb0626

I'm sorry you didn't have a good experience sweetie. 

shortstuff15

AMK1981 said:

dhviel said:

I was going to say that it sounded like my ultrasound, and I'm in Canada too.  The technicians really aren't allowed to say anything about baby.  I've never had a weight guess ever, nor have I ever known what my cervix was measuring.  The doctors in Canada really just do things differently.  And I've never been able to watch the ultrasound while measurements were being done.  So what you experienced was perfectly normal for what I know. 

As for the profile shot, well if baby wasn't moving much she may have not been able to get one.  I've had to go back with both pregnancies because they weren't able to get all the shots they needed, so you likely will have to go back for another one if they weren't able to get a profile.  Hopefully that helps though!

I'm sorry about your unfriendly techs.  Maybe it depends on where you go.

At the hospital where I go (in Canada), experiences can very depending on what area of the same hospital you are in.  I am in a high risk area so I get lots of detailed info as well as my own screen to follow along with, but women who are not high risk do not get the same details.   It seems a little bit unfair.  

I should have clarified, my techs weren't unfriendly but the process was the same. I have no complaints about any of my ultrasounds, I was just more saying that, aside from the rude tech, everything seemed rather standard to me.

jmjj1310

I'm sorry you had a poor experience!

jgraham80

Telling a pregnant woman not to worry?  Does she know how stupid that is?!

Sorry your experience wasn't better!  I hope you can get another scan to get the full experience, but I imagine if there were any red flags she would have tried to get you in to see the doctor earlier.  

Congrats!

aramarieXO

I know how yur feeling.. I had the same experience! it was the WORST appt ever!