Awful Anatomy Scan Experience

ashamarie2

We were so looking forward to our anatomy scan this time around because of the great experience we had with our first. With our first, our tech took her time, went over every little detail, finger, toe, etc.. she asked if we wanted to know the gender (we did) and she celebrated with us. We were there for over an hour and she was GREAT. 

THIS time.. when I scheduled the appointment they said I would be allowed to have my husband come back and be in the room for the last 15-20 minutes of the appointment. Well, that never happened because the tech only took 7 minutes (no exaggeration) before escorting me out of the door. She didn’t say a single word to me and hid the screen from my view. When she told me to go empty my bladder, I expected to continue with the scan (with my first, I was asked to empty 3 times) but when I came out of the bathroom she handed me 8 copies of the same side profile of my babies head, and said “you should get the results back in 48 hours. If you have the Kaiser app, they could be visible sooner.” And then opened the door for me to leave. 

I was in shock, I couldn’t comprehend what was happening so I didn’t get a chance to speak up for myself. When I walked out my husband got up from his chair, expecting to walk back into the room, and I told him “that was it”. He couldn’t believe it either. I was so sad on the way home that I was robbed of a decent experience, and also worried that it was done in under 10 minutes. 

I’m a nursing student so I know the techs can’t tell you of any diagnosis or ailment as they are not doctors, but at least offer decent human compassion for someone who is there for such an intimate and important milestone during a pregnancy. 

I’ve written a formal complaint to both Kaiser and my doctor expressing my concern. We had Kaiser both times and had an overall great experience from conception to birth with my first, and quite the opposite this time around. We are going to a boutique ultrasound place later this week to make up for what was lacking this morning. Hoping everyone else here has a better experience with their anatomy scan, and I urge you to speak up and advocate for yourself if you find it less than satisfactory. 

knottie3d3efc4b3e6978ae

I had a similar experience (not with Kaiser). We showed up early and got into the appointment early but the whole thing lasted about 15 minutes despite knowing the tech wasn’t in a time crunch. Baby wouldn’t move into the correct position and the tech was getting frustrated and began jostling my uterus and trying to dig under the baby to get it to flip over. 

Overall I was really disappointed that I didn’t stick up for myself, the tech was grumpy during what should be a happy moment, and that I was so sore afterwards. I hope I have a better experience at the next one (rescheduled because they didn’t get to look at all the anatomy) 

AND I hope you have a better experience at the boutique place.