worst ultrasound experience ever

JdLB82 · August 2013

So I went in for my fourth ultrasound today (my placenta was low lying). At my 20 week ultrasound it was @ 2.2cm away from my cervix, then at week 29 it had moved to 2.8cm, ideally it should be at least @ 3.0cm away from the cervix. So my ob scheduled me for one more ultrasound, well what an experience I had today.

Every other ultrasound I have had was with the same technician and she was wonderful, very kind, very talkative and the minute the wand touches my belly she gives me a baby update, baby looks healthy, heartrate is good/strong, etc. So today I was a little caught off guard when it was a different technician in the room, along with a student technician. Neither of them said anything to me, nothing at all. Here I am laying here waiting for an update, and they are just sitting there with furrowed brows looking at the screen and taking measurements, so panic sets in. Finally after what felt like forever I said "is everything okay?" and she says "oh yes, everything looks great, just taking measurements". I understand she is teaching the student so she was being very thorough with the measurements, but the only thing she was supposed to be measuring was my placenta, but she measured everything like they did at my 20 week ultrasound, which I guess isn't a bad thing, but the longer I laid there without them talking to me the more my anxiety was increasing. It was so hot in there to begin with, and now I'm sweating due to nerves. She was pressing the wand so hard into my my body, I am pretty sure she bruised me, I bruise easily anyway, but still. It got to the point that I almost said "can we be done here?" which is the complete opposite of my usual experiences, usually I lie there so excited and am sad when it is over. Then she blurts out "you must be excited to be having a" and I stopped her just in time, we are team green and I know for a fact it is written in my file, which you would think she read before I came into my appointment. Anyways, her and the student are then pointing to the screen and she is saying "do you see that?, that is how we know the sex?" Now I know she could have been talking about either boy or girl parts, but still, pretty unprofessional I think, she took a gazillion pictures for the report, couldn't they discuss the gender and how they know which gender it is, once my appointment is over. She refused to tell me if my placenta has moved, the other technician last time said "I can't tell you how much it has moved, but I can tell you it has moved in the right direction". At least to put my mind at ease until my OB gets the report. Then she asks me if I want some pictures to take home...ummm of course I do. So she brings my husband in to see the baby on the screen and take the pictures. Finally the appointment is over, she hands my husband the pictures and walks out of the room. As I am getting dressed I hear them talking and hear her say that it is @ 3.5 or 3.6cm, which is fantastic, but I'm not holding my breath, for all I know she could have just been talking about where the placenta should be. Maybe I have been spoiled with the other technician but she usually cleans the gel off my belly and helps me to sit up. So once we get to the car my husband hands me the pictures and they are the worst ultrasound pictures I have ever seen in my entire life. There is not one picture that it is even apparent the picture is of a baby. The only thing that even resembles a tiny human is the spine. No profile picture, no face picture, nothing.

My mom and husband think that I should call the clinic and complain about her, so I am going to talk to my OB about it on tuesday and see what she recommends I do. The ultrasound clinic is in no way connected to my OB office, so it's not like I would be complaining to her about someone she works with. I just don't want any other pregnant woman to experience what I did today, it was awful. And if I need an ultrasound again, I will definitely be requesting the kind technician before booking my appointment.

Sorry for the rant, I was just upset and thought I would share with you ladies.

Shanmarie1083 · August 2013

While it doesn't sound the best experience ever, it hardly sounds like something even worth complaining about. I mean at this point, how many more ultrasounds are you really going to get? It sounds like they did their job, just because it didn't come with a bunch of hand holding and "oohs and ahhs" like your other technician doesn't mean they deserve to be reported.

Also pictures are not required and the technician really shouldn't be telling you anything, including whether or not the placenta has moved.

jjkaye · August 2013

My doc cleared me for a vaginal delivery at 2.2 cms at 37 weeks... If you want a vaginal birth, push for one!

That said, sorry you had a bad experience. I had 6 ultrasounds with various techs and some have better people skills than others!

Jenmarie279 · August 2013

Sorry you had a bad experience, but I agree with Shanmarie. I've experienced the chipper tech, as well as the serious, down to business tech. As long as they're doing their job and making sure all is well with the baby then I have nothing to complain about.

bumpuser9130703 · August 2013

jjkaye said:

My doc cleared me for a vaginal delivery at 2.2 cms at 37 weeks... If you want a vaginal birth, push for one! That said, sorry you had a bad experience. I had 6 ultrasounds with various techs and some have better people skills than others!

Yeah, at 21 weeks my OB said that 2.6 cm was the ideal but 2.2 cm (where I was at) was fine. Eventually it moved even more and was totally fine, but at 2.2 I was clear for a vaginal delivery.

I also agree that every tech is different (and I'm up close to I think 10 ultrasounds). Some are warm and friendly. Some are to the point and all business. Some are frankly kind of cold.

MommyRutledge · August 2013

I'm sorry you had a bad experience. Some techs don't have much bedside manner, and it sounds like this was the case. At this point in the game, good ultrasound pics are rare. My doctor does a scan every appointment, with every patient. (He obviously knows what he's doing!) and he hasn't gotten a good image of DS since June. Try to relax and think good thoughts. Sounds like the tech wasn't worried about your results, and hopefully everything looks good enough for a vaginal delivery. Also, be prepared. Sounds like this issue was pretty rough on you, but you should know that I have know some nurses in l&d that are much worse! :-/

JdLB82 · August 2013

I guess I have a very different idea of the level of common courtesy that should be offered at ultrasounds. Especially during pregnancy, it can be a stressful time, and I don't think it's too hard to at least tell the patient beforehand that you are teaching a student, and that what would normally be a 10 minute ultrasound is going to take 55 minutes without any communication whatsoever about why it is taking so long and what they are looking at over and over and over again.

And I don't know any pregnant woman who has gone for an ultrasound and not gotten pictures to take home, maybe things are different here in Canada than where you live, but pictures are a given.

awright1983 · August 2013

JdLB82 said:

I guess I have a very different idea of the level of common courtesy that should be offered at ultrasounds. Especially during pregnancy, it can be a stressful time, and I don't think it's too hard to at least tell the patient beforehand that you are teaching a student, and that what would normally be a 10 minute ultrasound is going to take 55 minutes without any communication whatsoever about why it is taking so long and what they are looking at over and over and over again.

And I don't know any pregnant woman who has gone for an ultrasound and not gotten pictures to take home, maybe things are different here in Canada than where you live, but pictures are a given.

I just had a growth scan and didn't get any pictures so I wouldn't say that they are a given in Canada. I'm sorry you had a bad experience but it doesn't sound like your tech was unprofessional. Just definitely not the warm fuzzy type. I do agree you should have been filled in that it would take longer because of the student and asked if that was ok.

sgautschi · August 2013

Every person in the medical field is supposed to follow some version of AIDET, which includes acknowledging the patient and introducing themselves, as well as giving the patient an idea of how long each procedure/step will take and explaining as much as they can (obviously they have limits on what they can say though). The fact that they didnt do that is very unprofessional. That was not them doing their job.

MallardDucky · August 2013

I'm sorry this is not a "horrible ultrasound". A horrible US would be if they told you your baby had died or had a major medical problem.

The tech was teaching the student the correct way to get the right measurements and all the time I hear ladies from Canada saying the techs are not allowed to tell you anything at all. If you want the oohhhh's and awww's pay for a private for fun ultrasound. They are in there to do a job and that's what they did.

VCK · August 2013

Sounds like they kind of used you for their training purposes. I, for one, would not appreciate being used as someone's 'push pin.' Your instinct to tell them you were 'done' was probably the right thought.

AppleMuffins · August 2013

I know how disappointing "bad" ultrasounds are. At our 12 week scan, we had a tech at a different facility since they needed a more high tech machine. She barely said anything to us. Just a couple of comments like "here's the foot. Here's the arm." Barely said anything. It was the lab tech who was drawing my blood for that part of the testing who told me the measurements fell within normal and had a low risk of Downs. At least I got a few nice pictures though.

I also had a follow up scan for the Anatomy scan and I didn't get any pictures there, but at least that tech told me what was going on. She always seems to be in a hurry though. I also didn't get any pictures for my growth scan. She said her face was too hidden in my pelvis to get a profile picture, though she did shake her around a little to try to get her to move with no luck. I also wanted her to double check gender, but LO's butt was too tucked into my ribs to get a view of that either! Tricky kid. She looked at other things like the diaphragm and thigh bone and printed pictures for the doctor, but not for me since as you said, they don't really look anything like a baby. It's possible your tech just couldn't get pictures of it at this point. Baby doesn't have a lot of room anymore.

msronzio · August 2013

I've had a different tech at every u/s, and they have always cleaned the gel off my belly at least a little bit. They have also always been friendly and careful about the gender. (They ask "do you know what you're having, or..?")

Sorry you had a crappy experience. I would probably at least tell my OB that they were rude because I'm vocal like that.

On the other hand, if I were the tech, or any other type of representative/staff anywhere, I'd expect it to be reported to my higher ups when I'm rude.

Shanmarie1083 · August 2013

VCK said:

Sounds like they kind of used you for their training purposes. I, for one, would not appreciate being used as someone's 'push pin.' Your instinct to tell them you were 'done' was probably the right thought.

Really, someone's push pin?

Overly dramatic much?

8-|

kje120 · August 2013

Ok, it might not have been the best u/s experience, but that hardly qualifies as the worst ever. You have a healthy baby in there, be thankful for that.

HBirdie · August 2013

sgautschi said:

Every person in the medical field is supposed to follow some version of AIDET, which includes acknowledging the patient and introducing themselves, as well as giving the patient an idea of how long each procedure/step will take and explaining as much as they can (obviously they have limits on what they can say though). The fact that they didnt do that is very unprofessional. That was not them doing their job.

I agree, it was unprofessional. The tech definitely should have introduced themselves and the student, asked if it was okay for the student to be there, asked if you knew the gender before saying it, and helped clean you up before she left. As for not telling you anything during, she probably isn't allowed to, so that might not be her fault. We had the same U/S tech every time and she was wonderful and told us everything looked great, which I really appreciated as a nervous FTM. Completely ignoring you was not the right thing for you to do, no matter what she's allowed to say or not say.

Also, I think she should have been aware of how uncomfortable you were and asked if you needed a break or anything. Those anatomy scans are long! My tech had to let me go to the restroom twice and she was super conscious of how uncomfortable it is to sit there in one position on your back for so long- and that for me was at 20 weeks.

I don't really understand everyone on here getting on you for wanting to complain- sorry, but you're paying for this (or your insurance is). You're a consumer and you deserve a good, professional experience. I think you should mention something, perhaps it was a fluke or perhaps lots of women feel uncomfortable with her. Either way, you have a right to say something.

Skalbrecht · August 2013

Sorry to hear you had a bad experience. The techs aren't actually supposed to give any reports - it's supposed to come from the dr only. I have had experiences both ways where techs have said nothing or gave an indicator that 'they thought it looked good.'

If you are really that upset you should call.

JdLB82 · August 2013

I have read other peoples posts about how September2013 posters are rude and snarky and this is my first time experiencing it. I'm sorry if I felt that it was a bad experience because they didn't talk to me, maybe that's what other people's experiences have been. I didn't say I had the worst ultrasound appointment of all pregnant women in the entire world, it was my worst experience. All I said was that it was completely different than any other ultrasound I have ever had in my life. Even when I had my ultrasound on the lumps on my thyroid the technician was nicer and made me feel relaxed.

And I'm pretty sure no one forced you to open or read the post, if it's too much for you to read, then don't read it, you don't need to comment about having to uncross your eyes to be able to read it. There are plenty of other posts who are astronomically longer than mine.

Thank you to those who were understanding and thought the technician was unprofessional.

Burrberrymum · August 2013

I'm from Canada and I usually am never asked "do you want photos" I am the one to speak up when I have something on my mind or want something.

Sorry your experience seemed awful, but like other people said the tech is there to do her job and take measurements, it is just a bonus to have a tech that socializes well. I agree she probably should have let you know that she was showing a student how to take certain measurements, but on the plus side you had that much more time for them to really look over your baby and all that information will be sent to your doctor so if there was any concerns you will be informed. If it was 10 minutes in and out, they wouldn't even have the chance to notice the other things that "might have been" a concern.

As for the crappy pictures, thats never fun but baby is really running out of room in there so very difficuly at this point to get amazing photos, and it is more of a luxury to have those photos in the first place. I wouldn't report this tech in my opinion.

msronzio · August 2013

I have read other peoples posts about how September2013 posters are rude and snarky and this is my first time experiencing it. I'm sorry if I felt that it was a bad experience because they didn't talk to me, maybe that's what other people's experiences have been. I didn't say I had the worst ultrasound appointment of all pregnant women in the entire world, it was my worst experience. All I said was that it was completely different than any other ultrasound I have ever had in my life. Even when I had my ultrasound on the lumps on my thyroid the technician was nicer and made me feel relaxed.

And I'm pretty sure no one forced you to open or read the post, if it's too much for you to read, then don't read it, you don't need to comment about having to uncross your eyes to be able to read it. There are plenty of other posts who are astronomically longer than mine.

Thank you to those who were understanding and thought the technician was unprofessional.

Just to warn you, you're probably going to get flamed for this because it's going to seem like you were begging validation based on this sentence.

Cleo421 · August 2013

Please do yourself a favor and focus on the fact that you have a healthy baby in there. Stewing over this or dragging it out by reporting the tech isn't going to do you any good. I hope what you overheard was accurate and that your placenta has fixed itself. Lots to be happy about, don't sweat the small stuff.

Jenmarie279 · August 2013

JdLB82 said:
I have read other peoples posts about how September2013 posters are rude and snarky and this is my first time experiencing it. I'm sorry if I felt that it was a bad experience because they didn't talk to me, maybe that's what other people's experiences have been. I didn't say I had the worst ultrasound appointment of all pregnant women in the entire world, it was my worst experience. All I said was that it was completely different than any other ultrasound I have ever had in my life. Even when I had my ultrasound on the lumps on my thyroid the technician was nicer and made me feel relaxed.

And I'm pretty sure no one forced you to open or read the post, if it's too much for you to read, then don't read it, you don't need to comment about having to uncross your eyes to be able to read it. There are plenty of other posts who are astronomically longer than mine.

Thank you to those who were understanding and thought the technician was unprofessional.

I seriously don't think that any one was rude to you.

foxyroxy · August 2013

Oh man, I was bracing myself for a true horror story with the title "worst ultrasound experience ever" and everything. I read it all and I still can't figure out what was so bad. The tech didn't act like your bestie, ok. She took the opportunity to teach during the ultrasound, rather than wait until afterwards, ok. She didn't give you suitable souvenirs... ok, I guess. Yes, she should not have almost slipped up and revealed the sex (not gender, fyi), but I would hardly call an "almost mistake" the worst thing that could happen. You walked out of the appointment with confirmation of a healthy baby and no one mistreated you, and you feel comfortable calling this the worst ever????

awright1983 · August 2013

JdLB82 said:

I have read other peoples posts about how September2013 posters are rude and snarky and this is my first time experiencing it. I'm sorry if I felt that it was a bad experience because they didn't talk to me, maybe that's what other people's experiences have been. I didn't say I had the worst ultrasound appointment of all pregnant women in the entire world, it was my worst experience. All I said was that it was completely different than any other ultrasound I have ever had in my life. Even when I had my ultrasound on the lumps on my thyroid the technician was nicer and made me feel relaxed.

And I'm pretty sure no one forced you to open or read the post, if it's too much for you to read, then don't read it, you don't need to comment about having to uncross your eyes to be able to read it. There are plenty of other posts who are astronomically longer than mine.

Thank you to those who were understanding and thought the technician was unprofessional.

And I was somewhat sympathetic until this. People disagreeing with you does not equal rude. I think the tech made a few mistakes but I don't think they necessarily deserve to be reported. I also don't think it sounds like the "worst ultrasound experience ever". I just had a really pleasant ultrasound but the outcome is that they are concerned about my baby's health. I'm pretty sure I would have rather had your experience and been told everything looks good. Don't get your panties in a wad. And to the poster that said she should speak up because she or her insurance are paying customers, she isn't. In Canada we don't pay for ultrasounds requested by our doctors. So I can understand why they aren't volunteering up printed pictures left, right and centre.

foxyroxy · August 2013

JdLB82 said:

I have read other peoples posts about how September2013 posters are rude and snarky and this is my first time experiencing it. I'm sorry if I felt that it was a bad experience because they didn't talk to me, maybe that's what other people's experiences have been. I didn't say I had the worst ultrasound appointment of all pregnant women in the entire world, it was my worst experience. All I said was that it was completely different than any other ultrasound I have ever had in my life. Even when I had my ultrasound on the lumps on my thyroid the technician was nicer and made me feel relaxed.

And I'm pretty sure no one forced you to open or read the post, if it's too much for you to read, then don't read it, you don't need to comment about having to uncross your eyes to be able to read it. There are plenty of other posts who are astronomically longer than mine.

Thank you to those who were understanding and thought the technician was unprofessional.

Umm, you do know it is probably not a good idea to post on a public internet forum if you can't handle people disagreeing with you, right? I realize that you have a low tolerance for anything not puppies & rainbows, so maybe you shouldn't go places you've heard are filled with "rude and snarky" people. It seems like a recipe for the worst message board experience ever.

MallardDucky · August 2013

foxyroxy said:

JdLB82 said:

I have read other peoples posts about how September2013 posters are rude and snarky and this is my first time experiencing it. I'm sorry if I felt that it was a bad experience because they didn't talk to me, maybe that's what other people's experiences have been. I didn't say I had the worst ultrasound appointment of all pregnant women in the entire world, it was my worst experience. All I said was that it was completely different than any other ultrasound I have ever had in my life. Even when I had my ultrasound on the lumps on my thyroid the technician was nicer and made me feel relaxed.

And I'm pretty sure no one forced you to open or read the post, if it's too much for you to read, then don't read it, you don't need to comment about having to uncross your eyes to be able to read it. There are plenty of other posts who are astronomically longer than mine.

Thank you to those who were understanding and thought the technician was unprofessional.

Umm, you do know it is probably not a good idea to post on a public internet forum if you can't handle people disagreeing with you, right? I realize that you have a low tolerance for anything not puppies & rainbows, so maybe you shouldn't go places you've heard are filled with "rude and snarky" people. It seems like a recipe for the worst message board experience ever.

I laughed so hard at the last sentence I peed a little

JdLB82 · August 2013

MallardDucky said:

JdLB82 said:

I have read other peoples posts about how September2013 posters are rude and snarky and this is my first time experiencing it. I'm sorry if I felt that it was a bad experience because they didn't talk to me, maybe that's what other people's experiences have been. I didn't say I had the worst ultrasound appointment of all pregnant women in the entire world, it was my worst experience. All I said was that it was completely different than any other ultrasound I have ever had in my life. Even when I had my ultrasound on the lumps on my thyroid the technician was nicer and made me feel relaxed.

And I'm pretty sure no one forced you to open or read the post, if it's too much for you to read, then don't read it, you don't need to comment about having to uncross your eyes to be able to read it. There are plenty of other posts who are astronomically longer than mine.

Thank you to those who were understanding and thought the technician was unprofessional.

Umm, you do know it is probably not a good idea to post on a public internet forum if you can't handle people disagreeing with you, right? I realize that you have a low tolerance for anything not puppies & rainbows, so maybe you shouldn't go places you've heard are filled with "rude and snarky" people. It seems like a recipe for the worst message board experience ever.
I laughed so hard at the last sentence I peed a little

I am perfectly fine with people disagreeing with me, and I have been on this board for months and never had a problem. I absolutely do not have a "low tolerance for anything not puppies & rainbows" but thanks, and I'm so happy you peed your pants.

achadwick19 · August 2013

All I'm going to say is that I don't think that's something to complain about to the doctor's office. Sorry you didn't have a good experience.

foxyroxy · August 2013

@MallardDucky That sounds like the worst crotch experience ever. My apologies.

MallardDucky · August 2013

JdLB82 said:

MallardDucky said:

foxyroxy said:

JdLB82 said:

I have read other peoples posts about how September2013 posters are rude and snarky and this is my first time experiencing it. I'm sorry if I felt that it was a bad experience because they didn't talk to me, maybe that's what other people's experiences have been. I didn't say I had the worst ultrasound appointment of all pregnant women in the entire world, it was my worst experience. All I said was that it was completely different than any other ultrasound I have ever had in my life. Even when I had my ultrasound on the lumps on my thyroid the technician was nicer and made me feel relaxed.

And I'm pretty sure no one forced you to open or read the post, if it's too much for you to read, then don't read it, you don't need to comment about having to uncross your eyes to be able to read it. There are plenty of other posts who are astronomically longer than mine.

Thank you to those who were understanding and thought the technician was unprofessional.

Umm, you do know it is probably not a good idea to post on a public internet forum if you can't handle people disagreeing with you, right? I realize that you have a low tolerance for anything not puppies & rainbows, so maybe you shouldn't go places you've heard are filled with "rude and snarky" people. It seems like a recipe for the worst message board experience ever.
I laughed so hard at the last sentence I peed a little

I am perfectly fine with people disagreeing with me, and I have been on this board for months and never had a problem. I absolutely do not have a "low tolerance for anything not puppies & rainbows" but thanks, and I'm so happy you peed your pants.

You do realize my comment was or foxy right?

MallardDucky · August 2013

foxyroxy said:
@MallardDucky That sounds like the worst crotch experience ever. My apologies.

I wish I could love this post twice!

llybeck · August 2013

JdLB82 If you are going to post something with the title "Worst Ultrasound Experience Ever" people are going to brace themselves for something worthy of calling it that, like a major medical problem or even worse, losing your child. People were trying to get you to focus on the positives because you are coming off as very overly dramatic, especially on a board of pregnant women, some of whom have actually had to go through situations that would be deemed as the worst ever. We weren't forced to open the thread but with that title, it sounds like a woman in need of support after a heartbreaking experience and instead, you just wanted was us to feel bad for you/agree with you/validate your feelings because the tech didn't live up to your standards and was just doing their job.

You posted this on a public forum so you have to be prepared for a whole myriad of responses, you are putting your feelings out there for scrutiny. Not one person was even slightly "rude" or "snarky," not by any stretch of those terms, and if these responses were actually upsetting to you then you probably aren't going to want to continue posting on this site or the internet in general. People were giving you good advice and their opinions, nothing should have been offensive to you and we can't control the fact that you think the tame responses you got were mean. I would also love to know where you heard about S13. Is there a secret S13 gossip and bashing board that I don't know about?

HBirdie · August 2013

awright1983 said:

JdLB82 said:

I have read other peoples posts about how September2013 posters are rude and snarky and this is my first time experiencing it. I'm sorry if I felt that it was a bad experience because they didn't talk to me, maybe that's what other people's experiences have been. I didn't say I had the worst ultrasound appointment of all pregnant women in the entire world, it was my worst experience. All I said was that it was completely different than any other ultrasound I have ever had in my life. Even when I had my ultrasound on the lumps on my thyroid the technician was nicer and made me feel relaxed.

And I'm pretty sure no one forced you to open or read the post, if it's too much for you to read, then don't read it, you don't need to comment about having to uncross your eyes to be able to read it. There are plenty of other posts who are astronomically longer than mine.

Thank you to those who were understanding and thought the technician was unprofessional.

And I was somewhat sympathetic until this. People disagreeing with you does not equal rude. I think the tech made a few mistakes but I don't think they necessarily deserve to be reported. I also don't think it sounds like the "worst ultrasound experience ever". I just had a really pleasant ultrasound but the outcome is that they are concerned about my baby's health. I'm pretty sure I would have rather had your experience and been told everything looks good. Don't get your panties in a wad. And to the poster that said she should speak up because she or her insurance are paying customers, she isn't. In Canada we don't pay for ultrasounds requested by our doctors. So I can understand why they aren't volunteering up printed pictures left, right and centre.

Ahh, that was me. Sorry, forgot about that! My bad. Well, I still stand by the fact that she isn't necessarily wrong to complain. However, I do agree, OP, that you may be just a little sensitive, especially with that last post about how snarky Sep 13ers are.

I don't think anyone was really very rude to you. Ultimately these ladies are right, you could have found out something terrible about your baby or something. There are worse things. I still don't think you were treated well, though.

msronzio · August 2013

foxyroxy said:

@MallardDucky That sounds like the worst crotch experience ever. My apologies.

Not to get too off topic here, but..

Babybabybabyohhhhhhh · August 2013

It does suck when ultrasound techs are very businesslike and don't talk to the patient at all. I would like to know what I am looking at and what is being measured. I know they can't give specifics because that isn't their job.
I guess to me the techs should understand that this is a very exciting time for a pregnant woman, and we look forward to seeing our LO on the screen. Instead I haw had a couple who just seem like they hate being there and it makes it an unpleasant experience.

OP, just be happy you have a healthy baby in there and don't dwell too much on the experience. Soon you will have the baby in your arms and that's what matters.

imakeeff0rts · August 2013

Who was it that mentioned the bat signal in another post? @msronzio, was that you? Because Jesus.

Yeah - you didn't have the worst experience ever. If you're going to "complain" about anything, call the facility and state that you would like to be notified that a student will be in the room. I'm sure that was probably somewhere in your consent paperwork that you blindly signed without reading.

Agreed with @llybeck - I opened this thread initially because it sounded like you might legitimately need some support. However, you are being overly dramatic and your ultrasound experience is nowhere as bad as others have. You need a different perspective, bro. Be appreciative that your kid is healthy. Fill out a comment card. Move on.

CutieBean79 · August 2013

If you were upset during the ultrasound, you should have said something to the technician about it taking longer than reasonable or that you would have expected they not linger around the sex organs. Keeping quiet and then calling later to complain is a little passive aggressive. I also agree with the PP who said you need a different perspective. There are a lot of bad things that people learn at ultrasounds. It is a medical procedure, not a personal service.

jaydamuhindra · August 2013

I think it's a bit too dramatic to report the tech in my opinion. She was not very compassionate or thoughtful but she did her job and that's the most important thing.

JdLB82 · September 2013

My ob ordered a repeat ultrasound after getting the report and seeing that the technician didn't even measure what she was supposed to. While I was at my appointment I was asked for feedback on my previous ultrasound, so I was honest and said it wasn't the same level of professionalism I had come to expect at this clinic and that I was very uncomfortable the entire time. The lady then told me that the technician (who I thoroughly enjoy) has been crazy busy the past two weeks doing repeat ultrasounds because of all the mistakes and complaints the clinic received about that one technician. They said there is only one way for the clinic to know that the technicians are doing their job properly and that is by patient feedback, so if you are ever unhappy with a medical service provided to you, it is always advised that you complain, and if you don't feel comfortable reporting it while the technician is there, then to call in once you are home.

mawarren · September 2013

I'm sorry you felt like this was a terrible experience but from the standpoint of a sonographer (that's my job), your ultrasound is not meant to be a show and tell. It's not her job to explain everything to you. It's her job to get the pictures for the doctor and that's it. She does not have to give you pictures and she did offer it and you didn't have to ask so I'm not sure what you were mad about there. And yes you are spoiled if you expect her to wipe the gel off of you! I only do that on patients who I feel aren't able to do it themselves. She can get in trouble or lose her job for giving you the results so you don't have the right to be mad or report her for that. She maybe could've been a little more personable but as a human you aren't going to just "click" with every one of your patients. I hope you don't report her bc I don't think that would be fair. I've had patients get mad and report me before when all it boils down to is I wouldn't give them the results but I'm not supposed to! You can't be mad for her following the rules.