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March 2012 Moms
Mrs.G2007
member
Disappointing 3D/4D Ultrasound attempt today :(
Mrs.G2007
member
Today we went for an elective 3D/4D ultrasound place to try and see our baby girl. We saw Gracie and th ultrasound showed she has a healthy heartbeat an looks fine, but it was a really bad experience anyway.
From the beginning, I had this bad feeling and wasn't comfortable. The lady who was there to do the ultrasound checked us in and asked how far along I was. When I told her I will be 30 weeks on Tuesday, she told me I didn't look big enough. She made a joke about was I sure I had a baby in there.
I'm getting really tired of these comments--my doctor has expressed no concern about my size and says everyone carries differently, but several people keep telling me I look too small. We had to go through fertility treatments to get pregnant, so after working so hard to get here, it feels like people are constantly questioning my abilities to grow a healthy baby. I did my best to ignore this lady's comments and stay positive, but she kept talking about it.
Her next focus was to ask me over and over again how much water I'm drinking. I'm not perfect, but on average, I drink 80-100 ounces of water a day. She said that I'm not drinking enough water, because, to quote her "the girls with the big healthy tummies all drink lots of water." My mom pointed out to her that a lot of it can just be based on body type and various women show differently. She said "well, that has a little bit to do with it, but it's really more about water."
She said our baby is still breech and had her hands in front of her face. After about 3-4 minutes of trying to see her and switching between 2D and 3D, she said she wanted us to reschedule for a time when I've loaded up on more water. She couldn't tell me why that would change the fact that my baby is breech and likes to keep her hands in front of her face (but expressed that as her reason for not wanting to continue with the ultrasound.
I have definitely heard that you need to drink lots of liquid before an ultrasound, but my doctor's office has never expressed any concern at any of my ultrasounds about not drinking enough water. I drank at least 60 ounces before I went in. And the lady made me feel like I was a bad mom for multiple reasons-bump too small, not enough water- but then assured me that the fluid levels in my uterus looked fine. I'm just upset and feel guilty and I'm not sure I want to go back for the re-do. I also don't understand why it's so hard for someone to say "you look great" to any pregnant woman. That has been my practice leading up to my own pregnancy and I'm amazed at what people have said to me instead.
Anybody else have a bad experience like this at their 3D ultrasound? Do you really think the reason my bump is smaller than average is not drinking enough water? Do you think I'm drinking too little water?
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Re: Disappointing 3D/4D Ultrasound attempt today :(
exactly all of this! Im so sorry you had a bad time
that women should not be working with pregnant women if she is going to be so rude!
I would definitely call and complain so it doesn't happen to anyone else...i'm so sorry!
My goodness what a little idiot and b*tch that woman was! I would call the place, ask to speak to an owner/manage and tell them what she said and how it made you feel. I would also tell them that, should you go back, you want a different tech doing the u/s.
All of our bumps are different. It doesn't mean we're doing something wrong. She needs to keep her mouth shut.
DS1 born June 2008 | m/c at 9w March 2011 | DS2 born April 2012
THIS!!!!!!
You are only supposed to be loaded up on water very early on. I do IVF for my babies so for my 3w-8w ultrasounds I usually have to have lots of water on board. After that the baby is plenty big enough and in fact the full bladder gets to be a big problem. By the 22w anatomy scan my MFM always has me empty my bladder and if it gets full while he's still busy he'll have me get up and empty it again.
That tech was rude as crap to you and it sounds like she was just LOOKING for a way to show you she was right. It probably made her afternoon to be able to tell you it was your fault for not drinking the water. Like a 'SEE, I was right' moment for her. She was not right.
That is probably the biggest bunch of bull**** I have ever heard. I have a large belly and I KNOW I don't drink nearly enough water. All women carry differently. And I would have asked to see her medical license that states she is an OB/GYN and can talk to women about the health of their pregnancies.
I'm sorry you had a bad experience
Is there another place you can go? I hope you didn't pay them what they wanted for this ultrasound. Do NOT feel guilty about anything! If your doctor isn't concerned, then that's all that would matter to me. I would have told that lady where she could shove her ultrasound wand...
That was definitely rude and you have every right to either ask for your money back or have a different session at no cost to you with a different tech! I asked my midwife details before we went in for our 3D ultrasound. They suggest 80 oz a day but that liquid doesn't all come from water and has nothing to do with the baby's position. The reason for drinking 80 oz is so that the fluid levels are appropriate. If they aren't then you would be able to tell because the 3D pics would not look right. She showed me examples of what she was describing and there certainly is a difference. My guy had his hands up by his face most of the time too. All the tech did was tickle my tummy and make small talk while we waited for him to move.
As far as the comments about how you are carrying...it amazes me that people don't seem to understand that women carry differently. I've been carrying low so everyone hits me with the "oh he doesn't look like he's going to stay in until his due date" or "Are you sure the due date is right".
"maybe it's because your so small". And on and on...don't let them drag you down! This time is meant to be special!
And hon, I commend you on drinking 80-100 oz a day... I'm happy if I can manage 70. :
What a horrible experience! I would definitely try to contact a manager and tell them about your poor experience because you are paying for it after all. She has no room to make any medical judgement because she's not your health care provider.
I don't think that your bump is smaller than average from not drinking water. People carry differently. I have a very healthy bump, but I can assure you that I do not drink nearly the amount of water that I am supposed to. I just drink when I'm thirsty and don't always choose water.
I appreciate everyone's responses! Yesterday hit me really hard and I was feeling pretty down on myself, all because of this witch. We are definitely calling to complain and I'm not going back of she is the only tech-- I'm also not sure if I will go back at all. We pre-paid, and I'm thinking we should ask them to return the money and provide it for free. That is not usually my style, but like many of you have pointed out, this is one of those places that is really more for entertainment purposes and not a medical professional, so she should keep her opinions to herself. She also made a big deal about my placenta being posterior, which I've been told is totally normal and not an issue- I don't have previa. So basically, she's a dumbass. She didn't want to have to work for it, so she didn't even try to move the baby- after she put her wand away, we could see the baby moving around in my stomach and she didn't even try to nudge her.
It definitely helps to hear what y'all have to say. All of our bumps are different, and I think they are beautiful, big or small.
Exactly this! If your doctor is fine with everything then everything is fine, this woman doesn't know what she's talking about. Call and tell them that you didn't pay them good money to have some insensitive jerk basically tell you you're a bad mother. I'd be pissed. Not cool for her to treat you that way.
BFP #2 7/18/11 - EDD 3/29/12 - Born 3/13/12
BFP #1 4/4/11 - Natural M/C - 7w1d - 4/30/11
Next time tell her to keep her opinions to herself. Blame it on the hormones. Every pregnancy is different and she had no right to make you feel bad. I think you should request for a different person to do your sonogram. You should not feel uncomfortable and this should be the best time of your life.
I think you are hydrating as much as you can. I am a nurse working in the ICU and there are times when the unit gets busy and I know I am not drinking enough as long as you're aware and you try to fix it everything should be fine.
I hope you get something resolved, the 3D/4D is an awesome experience and I really hope you get to see your little one soon
I am so sorry for your experience.
I agree 100% with the you are so small comments. I am sure most people say it as a compliment but it just causes worry.
I think the tech is SO important. Our little boy was not cooperating at all..His head was low and he had his neck thrown all the way back and was sleep. He was also hugging the placenta.
The tech was so patient it was suppose to be a 10-15 mintues and we got around 40 minutes of ultrasound time. This did not include him allowing me to take breaks to try to move him some or drink juice.
In the end we got 2 or 3 really good face shots. I would definetly not go back there.
What a horrible experience. I'm so mad for you!
And how is 60-100 ounces of water a day not enough?! I'm proud of myself when I can get 64 oz.
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