Experiences with Technician at 1st appointment?

rlworzalla · October 2015

I had my first appt moved up to today (rather than next Wed.) due to spotting/bleeding and cramping. The technician tried an abdominal US but since they told me not to have a full bladder for this one, she went ahead with a transvaginal. It lasted over 20 minutes. If anyone else has had this, about how long did you have? She showed me a picture but didn't identify any parts of the baby, and when I asked about the heartbeat, she said "I turned the volume down. Don't worry I heard it" but ignored me when I asked again. She then proceeded to tell my mom and I (DH couldn't be there due to meetings) that she had only been working at the hospital for 5 days, and had just graduated. I don't feel really assured with the experience, but will be seeing the doctor tomorrow. Just curious what other experiences others have had with their technicians?

lionstigersbears · October 2015

I may be misinformed, but my understanding is they know what they see (obviously) but aren't actually meant to be the ones to tell us. Maybe in comparison to some stories you've heard she seemed sub par? Or maybe she is? I can't remember who on the board does this for work or else I'd tag her!

rlworzalla · October 2015

I have asked a few people who said the technicians at least told them where major body parts are located on the ultrasound, but didn't expect any further details. I left utterly confused.

lionstigersbears · October 2015

I'm sorry it was disappointing! I'm sure you'll hear from others about what is typical. Of all the ultrasounds I've had it has always been done by the same woman so I have no comparisons to make!

doozer1345 · October 2015

She may have not been able to tell you anything BUT what she did divulge would have put me off too. I'd talk to my doctor about it.

rlworzalla · October 2015

I'm all for people learning But it wasn't very settling. I plan on speaking with the doctor tomorrow at my appt. Thanks ladies!

josie12367 · October 2015

Honestly the technologists are not there to discuss the details of the scan with you, and with how small baby is at this point, there's really not many parts to point out. Legally they can only pass along the information/images taken to the doctor for the doctor to discuss with you. I know for my ARRT (xray) program I had over 1300 hours of clinicals that I had to complete to get my certification and BS degree. Maybe your technologist just isn't as great in the people skills, small talk part just yet, but that doesn't mean that she was any less qualified to complete your exam. Trust me, she wouldn't be there otherwise. She could have just been nervous because she is new, and wasn't sure what all she can and cannot tell you legally. As for the length of time....maybe she was needing to do the abdominal part to your exam, and not having the ability to slowed her down in getting the images she's required to do. She could have been doing multiple measurements, or struggling to get the perfect angle of baby to measure. There could have been a multitude of things going on that she just didn't know how to relay to you. Just my two cents....I'd give the girl a break. Sonographers have a huge amount of liability and responsibilities in their job....It can be a very challenging field to enter into.

aamm04 · October 2015

I'm actually going to school for sonography. The tech can't give any information, it's annoying yes, but you will get your results from the doctor.

vinerie · October 2015

It's not the tech's job to sit there and answer all your questions. Also, 20 minutes is quite a long time; you should be happy they spent that much time with you.

saladflambe · October 2015

Hm. Mine lasted about 5 minutes. The tech took measurements and told me how far along I was measuring and showed me the heartbeat and told me how fast the heartbeat was. Then, she gave us a picture to take home. Note: I go to a midwife practice and was only seeing the tech that day. She was the only one I spoke with. She was part of the practice.

katykatykaty · October 2015

vinerie said:

It's not the tech's job to sit there and answer all your questions. Also, 20 minutes is quite a long time; you should be happy they spent that much time with you.

Yeah, 20 minutes is about 18 minutes longer than my ultrasound lasted. That's a long time! I'm not sure what she was doing that took so long, so I'd probably be a little concerned about that.

finnybooboo · October 2015

Ours just basically talked us through the pictures/measurements she was taking. I think it was probably her nerves/being new and not knowing what she could/should be saying.

ejmo68 · October 2015

Mine was disappointing too but for other reasons. We went in for the ultrasound and it lasted maybe 2 minutes. She measured the baby, got the heart rate and was done. I know this is my second pregnancy but I would like to look at my baby for a little bit longer. She was moving around so much looking at my tubes and such I barely got to see the baby. It's just frustrating since I will not see the baby again till 18-19 weeks.

ProfessorMommy · October 2015

Having taught sonography students, I agree with the PPs... it's nothing personal; it all comes down to protocol and liability. They cannot diagnose or prescribe so they leave things to the doctor to explain. Some will give the HB etc but usually on the sonogram for the MD to share etc. State and federal laws general regulate scope of practice.

Pregghers · October 2015

I guess my big concern is the heartbeat statement. We saw the heart fluttering on the screen, but there was nothing to hear or volume to adjust. I don't think you hear heartbeats on transvaginal ultrasounds. You only hear it with Doppler, right? More experienced moms please correct me!

lalala2004 · October 2015

Pregghers said:

I guess my big concern is the heartbeat statement. We saw the heart fluttering on the screen, but there was nothing to hear or volume to adjust. I don't think you hear heartbeats on transvaginal ultrasounds. You only hear it with Doppler, right? More experienced moms please correct me!

You can hear it (I did) if they change the settings. However there was a sonogram technician on these boards that said they aren't supposed to do that this early on.

megnwingate · October 2015

I'm actually going to school for a similar degree (radiology) and I can guarantee that it isn't out of the norm. Most experienced techs feel comfortable giving info out. Personally just being out of school I wouldn't divulge any information to a patient and that's probably what you tech was doing. No need in feeling like anything is wrong. If anything was wrong your OB would have talked to you.

Sharra13 · October 2015

I feel lucky! We had our first doc appointment and trans vaginal sonogram on Wednesday and it was all with my actual OBGYN, no tech. She spent a couple minutes looking around in there, showed us the baby and let us watch the heartbeat (so cool!) and even pointed out some areas (like how I have a tiny bit of blood near the yolk sac that is not dangerous at all but she wouldn't be surprised at all if I have some bleeding at some point to get rid of it). Then she gave us some screen shots and actually sat down with us in the room for several minutes to talk to us and answer questions. I didn't realize how lucky we were--definitely appreciative now!

Merinmac · October 2015

I'm with Sharra, I've had 2 u/s so far and both were done by the OB herself. Both lasted about 5 minutes or so. (Can't imagine what yours was doing for 20!) I would probably have been happy to stare at the little bean all day, but the doctor does have other things to do.

Just some quick measurements, checking the heartbeat, checking both ovaries and the cervix. I didn't get any audio and it wasn't offered (transvaginal). I saw the hb fine, so that's all I needed. I have a little pocket of blood in there too, which the doctor pointed out and explained that it was nothing to worry about, it may come out eventually or just reabsorb. She was quick but she explained what she was doing as she went along and answered questions. I suspect your situation was what others have said, a new-ish tech that either wasn't allowed to say anything specific or wasn't sure what she could say. I expect your doctor will be able to answer all your questions, as well as let you know their policy on techs sharing information. Good luck!

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