Totally Ruined Anatomy Scan Day... vent

angeldust1401 · December 2010

So, I am a high risk pregnancy (type II diabetic) and see 3 different doctors (2 in the regular OB practice and a specialist). So, yesterday, DH and I arrive at the OB office for the Anatomy Scan and have our DVD ready to record the 3D/4D portions, and I'm full of water and really need to pee. I'm totally uncomfortable, but so excited. So I wait for a few minutes, then they call me up to the front desk and say they tried to call me about cancelling this appointment... plus, I'm not scheduled for an ultrasound at all. Not only that, but the doctor who scheduled me (and gave me the letter with clear directions and the date of this ultrasound) is out of the office until after the first of the year. The other regular OB is in surgery, so all they can offer me is a belly check with the nurse practitioner.

I had been super excited about this appointment for weeks, so I start bawling. DH convinces them that they need to at least tell us the gender, because they pushed this appointment out a week to accomodate the specialist's appointment. So they agree. We are having a girl (at least they think, there was some question... the nurse did the ultrasound on a portable machine... they didn't even let us go in the ultrasound room with the normal tech). I am happy the baby looks good and am excited about the possibly of it being a little girl. They keep telling me that the specialist's office will be able to offer so much more, because he has better equipment. So I leave upset, but not as much.

So, DH calls the speacialists office in Birmingham yesterday afternoon (after the horribly emotional morning at the OB's office) only to find out that they do not offer any recording of their ultrasounds. They are not set up for that. They say the OB office should have done that for us.

So, I'll be calling to complain to the office manager today... (and to notify them that, all of a sudden, I've had a rash break out on the backs of both hands).

Needless to say, I'm not very happy with my OB office right now. I just hope they are going to fix this... Not to be a brat, but I want my video of LO in 3D/4D, like they said I would get from the first appointment I ever had at 7 weeks!!! I just wish I knew what to do to make sure this happens! Thanks for letting me rant!

Kdonn15 · December 2010

I'm sorry to hear you're bummed. Honestly, I've never heard of a video in 3D/4D being done at a regular anatomy scan appointment, but that's not to say it doesn't happen. You should look into going to a place that does ultrasounds for recreational purposes....that is what we did with out first pregnancy and where we got our video from. Being that every u/s tech room I've been in clearly states no cell phones please, I have a hard time believing they'd be ok with recording devices (for legal purposes).

eisenberg0814 · December 2010

I am sorry that you are upset but an ultrasound is a medical test - not for entertainment. I am sure that your dr office did all they could - I mean they even looked for the sex of they baby eventhough its not medically needed. So, focus on the important stuff and hope that you see more next time.

BetchySprout · December 2010

eisenberg0814:
I am sorry that you are upset but an ultrasound is a medical test - not for entertainment. I am sure that your dr office did all they could - I mean they even looked for the sex of they baby eventhough its not medically needed. So, focus on the important stuff and hope that you see more next time.

Ditto all of this. I am sure when you have your next one it will be clearer, but it is a medical procedure. Maybe if you go to a 3d/4d place you would have a better experience.

Ivana_Stolichnaya · December 2010

My OB's office didn't even offer 3D/4D scans. I had to pay $125 for an elective scan at a place that wasn't a medical facility.

ckolak:-) · December 2010

Wow, that really sucks. We had a 3D/4D scan with DS at our anatomy scan and it was really cool (even though DH said that it looked like DS was frozen in carbonite like Han Solo...). I am really sorry that your appointment went so poorly, I hope they can remedy things soon.

rrcraz7 · December 2010

"DH convinces them that they need to at least tell us the gender,"

This line bothers me a lot. Your OB/specialist isn't there to tell you the gender of your child. Its a nice extra if they can. I would have asked to 'at least' tell me there were 4 heart chambers and 2 kidneys and some other major organs before worrying about the gender. To each their own I guess.

If you really want a 3d/4d dvd then pay out of pocket and go to an ultrasound center. We did because I wanted it and it wasn't my docs responsibility to provide it.

katie4253 · December 2010

angeldust1401:
So, I am a high risk pregnancy (type II diabetic) and see 3 different doctors (2 in the regular OB practice and a specialist). So, yesterday, DH and I arrive at the OB office for the Anatomy Scan and have our DVD ready to record the 3D/4D portions, and I'm full of water and really need to pee. I'm totally uncomfortable, but so excited. So I wait for a few minutes, then they call me up to the front desk and say they tried to call me about cancelling this appointment... plus, I'm not scheduled for an ultrasound at all. Not only that, but the doctor who scheduled me (and gave me the letter with clear directions and the date of this ultrasound) is out of the office until after the first of the year. The other regular OB is in surgery, so all they can offer me is a belly check with the nurse practitioner.
Then why not just reschedule?

I had been super excited about this appointment for weeks, so I start bawling. DH convinces them that they need to at least tell us the gender, because they pushed this appointment out a week to accomodate the specialist's appointment.
I know you want to know the sex, but seriously. This bothers me. It seems like all you care about is knowing the sex.
So they agree. We are having a girl (at least they think, there was some question... the nurse did the ultrasound on a portable machine... they didn't even let us go in the ultrasound room with the normal tech).
The doctors office is damned if they do and damned if they don't IMO. You wanted the u/s and they gave it to you. Then you got upset that you didn't get it in the exact way you wanted it.
I am happy the baby looks good and am excited about the possibly of it being a little girl. They keep telling me that the specialist's office will be able to offer so much more, because he has better equipment. So I leave upset, but not as much.

So, DH calls the speacialists office in Birmingham yesterday afternoon (after the horribly emotional morning at the OB's office) only to find out that they do not offer any recording of their ultrasounds. They are not set up for that. They say the OB office should have done that for us.
The FDA recommends against recording ultrasounds. Read up on it.

So, I'll be calling to complain to the office manager today... (and to notify them that, all of a sudden, I've had a rash break out on the backs of both hands).
You have a rash because you've gotten yourself so worked up. Rescheduling would have solved this problem.

Needless to say, I'm not very happy with my OB office right now. I just hope they are going to fix this... Not to be a brat, but I want my video of LO in 3D/4D, like they said I would get from the first appointment I ever had at 7 weeks!!! I just wish I knew what to do to make sure this happens! Thanks for letting me rant!
You are being pretty bratty. You are high risk. I would think your sole focus would be the health of the baby. Hopefully you'll calm down and realize this is not as big of a deal as you are making it out to be.

Scout05 · December 2010

Pattypoundcake:
eisenberg0814:
I am sorry that you are upset but an ultrasound is a medical test - not for entertainment. I am sure that your dr office did all they could - I mean they even looked for the sex of they baby eventhough its not medically needed. So, focus on the important stuff and hope that you see more next time.
Ditto all of this. I am sure when you have your next one it will be clearer, but it is a medical procedure. Maybe if you go to a 3d/4d place you would have a better experience.

Exactly. I'm sorry you're upset, and not to be snarky, but a real "totally ruined anatomy scan day" is finding out there is a problem with your baby. As long as the child is healthy, the rest of this really doesn't matter.

Butterflylove85 · December 2010

I'm sorry your day sucked. I was schedualed for my anatomy scan at 17 weeks last pregnancy and was soo incredably excited to find out the gender, as well as make sure everything was ok with baby. I know how you felt, you get all hyped up thinking you get to find out what your having that it seems its all you can think about until you get it. I was super excited to find out because we were leaving for a week long trip 2 days later and I was thinking we'd be able to buy a few things while we were out of town. Once I got to the place where I was having my ultra sound the lady at the desk told me that I wasn't schedualed for an ultra sound, even though I had the paper saying I was in my hands, and the people who do it were not coming in today. I cried for the next 2 hours. We had to re-schedual for the following week after I got back. I would suggest you just re-schedual with your office so you can end up getting what you went for. Good luck with everything.

comfortable · December 2010

I understand how you feel about the appt. being screwed up overall. My "20-week" anatomy scan was cancelled a couple of days before it was supposed to happen (it was scheduled for the day before Thanksgiving). The office staff began the phone call with we "hate to be the bearer of bad news, but..." - um, hello, this is not a good way to begin a conversation with a mother-to-be! Anyhow, the perinatologist actually lectured me about it not being a big deal to postpone my 20-week appt. (even though they hadn't done an ultrasound for 2 months despite what my other doctor's wanted - one of my medications they had to put me back on for my heart can affect fetus development, so let's get in there and take a look people!). They assumed I was upset just b/c I wanted to know the sex - um, nope, I just want to make sure my baby is developing. So, they literally closed down the office for a week b/c the doctor who was covering for the 5 other peri's had a "family emergency". I finally got my 20-week at 22 1/2 weeks. It really irks me that this practice I am going to treats me (and other people I know who also go there) like everything is not a big deal. I am a first time parent and it is a big deal - I am not a doctor w/ your knowledge. I switched to a new OB and am much happier. Now if I could just get a new peri. in this area (but there aren't any others). I was also admitted into the hospital via ER on Thanksgiving b/c my heart was in v-tach (I've been wearing a heart monitor) and survived a random heart attack a few years ago, so it is bogus that this office just put off my ultrasound when I hadn't been seen for 2 months as for one, I am back on a medication that has the potential to affect fetal development.

I would wait until after your baby is delivered before you really express yourself just so you don't have more problems from the staff (I'm sending a letter to the owner of the practice after the baby is due as is one of my friends). From now on, we are asking for them to put in writing who (by name) will be covering in the event that the doctor I am scheduled with has another "emergency" over the holidays. Once again, they left only 1 doctor in the office over the December holidays. Ugh, just be happy there is nothing wrong with the baby (that's what keeps me sane when they act so unprofessional).

mollymurphy · December 2010

I'm with you on being disappointed that you didn't get your anatomy scan: I know my OB is pretty careful when scheduling these...I think they know how many emotions get invested in such a 'big' appointment.

This:

angeldust1401:
Not to be a brat, but I want my video of LO in 3D/4D

I understand you're disappointed. Don't distract from the real issue by worrying about whether or not you have the moment captured on DVD. I (and many of the rest of us) have never had a 3D/4D U/S, let alone left the office with more than a handful of pictures and I can tell you that after seeing a healthy baby...the importance of all of the physical "things" falls away and it brings back to mind what's really important. I hope it does for you, too.

jc51723 · December 2010

comfortable:

I understand how you feel about the appt. being screwed up overall. My "20-week" anatomy scan was cancelled a couple of days before it was supposed to happen (it was scheduled for the day before Thanksgiving). The office staff began the phone call with we "hate to be the bearer of bad news, but..." - um, hello, this is not a good way to begin a conversation with a mother-to-be! Anyhow, the perinatologist actually lectured me about it not being a big deal to postpone my 20-week appt. (even though they hadn't done an ultrasound for 2 months despite what my other doctor's wanted - one of my medications they had to put me back on for my heart can affect fetus development, so let's get in there and take a look people!). They assumed I was upset just b/c I wanted to know the sex - um, nope, I just want to make sure my baby is developing. So, they literally closed down the office for a week b/c the doctor who was covering for the 5 other peri's had a "family emergency". I finally got my 20-week at 22 1/2 weeks. It really irks me that this practice I am going to treats me (and other people I know who also go there) like everything is not a big deal. I am a first time parent and it is a big deal - I am not a doctor w/ your knowledge. I switched to a new OB and am much happier. Now if I could just get a new peri. in this area (but there aren't any others). I was also admitted into the hospital via ER on Thanksgiving b/c my heart was in v-tach (I've been wearing a heart monitor) and survived a random heart attack a few years ago, so it is bogus that this office just put off my ultrasound when I hadn't been seen for 2 months as for one, I am back on a medication that has the potential to affect fetal development.

I would wait until after your baby is delivered before you really express yourself just so you don't have more problems from the staff (I'm sending a letter to the owner of the practice after the baby is due as is one of my friends). From now on, we are asking for them to put in writing who (by name) will be covering in the event that the doctor I am scheduled with has another "emergency" over the holidays. Once again, they left only 1 doctor in the office over the December holidays. Ugh, just be happy there is nothing wrong with the baby (that's what keeps me sane when they act so unprofessional).

This whole novel that you have written here really rubbed me the wrong way.

casirdms · December 2010

Seriously .. this post irks me. *** happens. There obviously was a communication error between your doctor's office and scheduling. I understand being a little disappointed, but put your big girl panties on.

If your husband would have attempted to "convince" me to "at least" tell you the gender he would have gotten laughed at. [I do ultrasounds]. Do you not understand the purpose of the anatomy scan? Sounds to me like all you care about is if your baby is a boy or girl and that is what you are angry about, not that you didn't get to see if your baby was HEALTHY.

Oh and there is no videoing of anatomy scans anywhere. Elective ultrasound sure but medically necessary ones, it is supposed to be against regulations.

Grow up

JNBrickey · December 2010

jc51723:
comfortable:

I understand how you feel about the appt. being screwed up overall. My "20-week" anatomy scan was cancelled a couple of days before it was supposed to happen (it was scheduled for the day before Thanksgiving). The office staff began the phone call with we "hate to be the bearer of bad news, but..." - um, hello, this is not a good way to begin a conversation with a mother-to-be! Anyhow, the perinatologist actually lectured me about it not being a big deal to postpone my 20-week appt. (even though they hadn't done an ultrasound for 2 months despite what my other doctor's wanted - one of my medications they had to put me back on for my heart can affect fetus development, so let's get in there and take a look people!). They assumed I was upset just b/c I wanted to know the sex - um, nope, I just want to make sure my baby is developing. So, they literally closed down the office for a week b/c the doctor who was covering for the 5 other peri's had a "family emergency". I finally got my 20-week at 22 1/2 weeks. It really irks me that this practice I am going to treats me (and other people I know who also go there) like everything is not a big deal. I am a first time parent and it is a big deal - I am not a doctor w/ your knowledge. I switched to a new OB and am much happier. Now if I could just get a new peri. in this area (but there aren't any others). I was also admitted into the hospital via ER on Thanksgiving b/c my heart was in v-tach (I've been wearing a heart monitor) and survived a random heart attack a few years ago, so it is bogus that this office just put off my ultrasound when I hadn't been seen for 2 months as for one, I am back on a medication that has the potential to affect fetal development.

I would wait until after your baby is delivered before you really express yourself just so you don't have more problems from the staff (I'm sending a letter to the owner of the practice after the baby is due as is one of my friends). From now on, we are asking for them to put in writing who (by name) will be covering in the event that the doctor I am scheduled with has another "emergency" over the holidays. Once again, they left only 1 doctor in the office over the December holidays. Ugh, just be happy there is nothing wrong with the baby (that's what keeps me sane when they act so unprofessional).

This whole novel that you have written here really rubbed me the wrong way.

Um, me too. You're mad that your ultrasound got canceled but a doctor's "family emergency" isn't a big deal? You don't know what happened - (s)he should have blown off the emergency to fit you in? Also, if you left the practice, why are you waiting to send a letter instead of doing it now, if you're so irked? And were you in the hospital over Thanksgiving before or after your anatomy scan because I would think you being in there under such dire circumstances would warrant an ultrasound to make sure your baby was handling the stress alright.

elizabeth98 · December 2010

We recieved a clean bill of health and 3 photos of our daughter at our anatomy scan....BEST SCAN EVER. You sound very bratty and it is hurtful to people that have actually received devestating news about the development/health of their baby. An inconvienience to be rescheduled? Yes. A tragedy? No.

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