ultra sound experience not what i expected

Frezzin · September 2009

I had my first ultra sound yesterday at 9 weeks because my medical history is unknown. I was kind of excited about it because I would hear a heartbeat and see the baby even if it was small and find out how far along I really was. Well little did i know my experience was nothing like what you see on a baby story on TLC or even what others talk about. I got a lady that spoke very little english and the only things she said to me was lie down and at the very end she showed me the screen and said it hard to see it because your bladder is in the way. She didn't even point anything out or even tell me anything about the baby and I didn't even get to hear the heartbeat. O and to top it off my husband couldn't even come in until it was all done and she just show him the screen and said here it is. If we wanted a picture of the baby we had to pay $11 for 2 picture but she didn't even tell us until my husband asked if we got a picture. When I left the hospital I wanted to cry. I was hoping for a more informational experience and someone that would actually talk to me and care that this was my first time. I did end up calling my midwife after to let her know I wasn't impressed and that I would like to go somewhere less when I go again. Sorry so long but I just needed to share. Sad

anabell0920 · September 2009

Some states it's against the law for the techs to tell you any information. Your doctor will go over the results with you. But not all techs will give you any info.

buckin · September 2009

I'm sorry for your poor experience. I've never heard anything like that.

missyjg · September 2009

Um that's horrible. I'm so sorry that happened to you. My ultrasound was not anything like that at all.

Mrs.C042807 · September 2009

Sorry your experience wasn't what you thought.

But.... US techs don't have to tell you anything. It's up to the radiologist to interpret the pictures the techs take and relay the results to you.

gingerfamily · September 2009

In most states it is againsst the law for them to tell you anything. It is probably hospital regulations for nobody else to be in the room. your dr will go over the u/s results with you.

MFalor · September 2009

Sorry you had such a disappointing experience. Maybe she wasn't supposed to tell you certain things, but that doesn't mean she has to be a huge bi+ch.

laurmar21 · September 2009

Well that stinks! I'm sorry that happened! But...at least you have a healthy, thriving baby inside, right? You'll get to see the real thing (not just pictures) and that will be even better!

anabell0920 · September 2009

MFalor:
Sorry you had such a disappointing experience. Maybe she wasn't supposed to tell you certain things, but that doesn't mean she has to be a huge bi+ch.

how is having a language barrier and not saying anything being a B*tch?

lovinfall · September 2009

If they aren't able to say anything then they should inform the patient ahead of time. Not everyone is familiar with laws and hospital regulations.

akoch0707 · September 2009

lovinfall:
If they aren't able to say anything then they should inform the patient ahead of time. Not everyone is familiar with laws and hospital regulations.

I agree. I went to school for ultrasound, and one of the things they stressed the most was COMMUNICATION with the patient. Yes it's true that they cant tell you a whole lot, but they can point and say this is the heart, etc. And they SHOULD explain what they are doing when they are doing it to relieve any anxiety and foster a good patient/tech relationship. It's called bedside manner, and it's not limited to doctors and nurses.

gingerfamily · September 2009

anabell0920:

MFalor:
Sorry you had such a disappointing experience. Maybe she wasn't supposed to tell you certain things, but that doesn't mean she has to be a huge bi+ch.

how is having a language barrier and not saying anything being a B*tch?

this.

Frezzin · September 2009

Don't get me wrong after it was all said and done I was disappointed but when I got over that at least there is a baby and she showed me. As for rules and regulations that should a least tell you so that you are aware of it. This my first time for everything and I feel like I am in the dark and it would just be nice to know whats going on and what is going to happen. I don't think there was a huge language barrier it was just hard to understand her and even when I did ask her what she could tell me she didn't say anything I really felt ignored. I would just be nice if they treated eveyone like it was their first time or at least ask so that they know what they need to tell you or not. That is all. Is is to much to ask for a little information as to what going on?

thomas&lynn · September 2009

They may not be able to interpret things for you but they sure as hell can be a little more relatable! At my first one the tech told me what she was doing as she did it. "So now I'm checking for x....and now I'm looking for y.....here is the x.....and here is the y.....you look to be 7wks/some odd days along".

All facts, no interpretation and DH and I felt compeltely glowy when we left the office.

stacynikki · September 2009

I'm sorry you didn't have a great experience. I agree thatbedside manner is important. Even when I was seeing a high risk practice and going for biweekly u/s they still let DH in the room. I couldn't imagine being in there alone and potentially hearing bad news! I hope your next experience is much better!

anabell0920 · September 2009

Frezzin:
Don't get me wrong after it was all said and done I was disappointed but when I got over that at least there is a baby and she showed me. As for rules and regulations that should a least tell you so that you are aware of it. This my first time for everything and I feel like I am in the dark and it would just be nice to know whats going on and what is going to happen. I don't think there was a huge language barrier it was just hard to understand her and even when I did ask her what she could tell me she didn't say anything I really felt ignored. I would just be nice if they treated eveyone like it was their first time or at least ask so that they know what they need to tell you or not. That is all. Is is to much to ask for a little information as to what going on?

This is my first baby as well and the reason I am knowledgeable on things is because I am doing my own research and keeping myself informed!

MattysGirl81 · September 2009

That's awful. I definitely would have asked for another tech, at least one that could speak English. You should have at least seen the heartbeat even if you couldn't hear it. And DH should have been allowed in the room with you. That sort of thing should be your choice, not the tech's. I'm sorry =(

MattysGirl81 · September 2009

thomas&lynn:
They may not be able to interpret things for you but they sure as hell can be a little more relatable! At my first one the tech told me what she was doing as she did it. "So now I'm checking for x....and now I'm looking for y.....here is the x.....and here is the y.....you look to be 7wks/some odd days along".
All facts, no interpretation and DH and I felt compeltely glowy when we left the office.

Exactly. All the u/s techs I had were great and always told me what they were looking at. How can that possibly be against the law?

ivybug · September 2009

Generally this early, the baby's heartbeat cannot be heard, only seen. Also, it doesn't have a very definitive form, so at your later ultrasound (usually around 20wks) you'll be able to really see the baby, it's face, arms, toes, etc.

KGsky · September 2009

akoch0707:

lovinfall:
If they aren't able to say anything then they should inform the patient ahead of time. Not everyone is familiar with laws and hospital regulations.

I agree. I went to school for ultrasound, and one of the things they stressed the most was COMMUNICATION with the patient. Yes it's true that they cant tell you a whole lot, but they can point and say this is the heart, etc. And they SHOULD explain what they are doing when they are doing it to relieve any anxiety and foster a good patient/tech relationship. It's called bedside manner, and it's not limited to doctors and nurses.

Thanks for clearing this up because our U/S tech was a chatty cathy and we loved her for it. We had such a fun time watching G do pilates in my belly and flashing us so we could see she was a girl. She was supposed to be checking for the nuchal something or other, and she couldn't comment on that, but body parts, what she was doing, all of that was well-explained. I wish we could request her for the next go 'round!

lovinfall · September 2009

ivybug:
Generally this early, the baby's heartbeat cannot be heard, only seen. Also, it doesn't have a very definitive form, so at your later ultrasound (usually around 20wks) you'll be able to really see the baby, it's face, arms, toes, etc.

You can certainly hear the heartbeat at 10 weeks which is the stage of the original poster.

islandgirl79 · September 2009

I agree with having some bedside manner but most techs do not have the knowledge or authorization to give their opinions. Nor do I really want a tech's opinion if my uterus and baby look good.

This is such a common theme on here that women are unhappy with the ultra sounds. We should all remember that the purpose of these are for our doctors! Yes, it is a great benefit that we can also see what is going on in our bodies but let these techs do their jobs! *This isn't all in regards to OP, but from what I have read on here over the last month.

Real life is not TLC!

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