Sonographers please read

[emmalou82]

I'm sorry if this post upsets anyone. I noticed a few posts from sonographers and trainees on here and felt compelled to share. I am not suggesting for a moment that all sonographers are like this but ive had such upsetting experiences that i felt it was important.

I lost my darling son 5 months ago; he was stillborn at 5 months old. I am now just over 12 weeks pregnant with our rainbow. This is obviously an extremely stressful pregnancy given what happened last time.

We went for our dating scan just over 2 weeks ago. The sonographer had my medical notes (not just the take-home pregnancy record) in front of her and was reading through them while i got my clothes fixed for the scan.

She was asking how far along we thought we were by dates etc (we didn't know very well as only 1 period since our son was born) and then said "this is your 1st pregnancy isn't it? No wait, you've had one before haven't you? or have you?"

I then had to explain to her about our stillbirth and got very upset and tearful. I looked in my notes and it quite clearly says in big letters at the very front of them that we'd had a recent stillbirth. I asked my MW about a sticker for the front cover of the notes but they don't seem to have the SANDS stickers in my hospital.

Anyway, went back this week for the NT scan (turned out we were only 10+0 at the 1st scan so too early for it) and it was a different sonographer BUT THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN! It says right on the 1st page of my notes and at several points throughtout them.

I'm now in a complete panic about going for future scans (i'll be having several more scans as our son had IUGR and i have hx of preeclampsia and abruption).

Again, i'm not sonographer-bashing. I realise past history of stillbirths aren't going to occur in a huge number of patients and that they don't have time to be reading through everyones notes but please at least have a look out for alerts/stickers on the cover and front page and have a wee think about it next time.

The sonographers we saw were extremely apologetic and empathetic after we had to tell our story and gave us time sitting in the room with the curtains round to settle a bit before heading off to clinic but I'm still so anxious that the same thing will happen again.

[emmalou82]

sorry i got so upset ive put in the wrong info. it was supposed to say our son was stillborn at 35 weeks into the pregnancy. This was 5 months ago

[TittyBojangles]

I am so sorry you didn't receive the care you deserve. I can't imagine how terrifying these scans must be for you and to have to deal with a 'misinformed' (??) sonographer asking inappropriate questions must make the situation so much worse. It should not have happened.

Suggestions to maybe help you stress less about this happening again at future scans? Perhaps you could have a word with your midwife to put a note on the scan request to highlight this?? Ring ahead yourself/DP to highlight this (it is simple to put a note on the request). Or perhaps to ask the receptionist to make sure the sonographer reads your notes before calling you in (I think they would realise where you were coming from). Or even asking the sonographer if she is aware of your history when you go into the room?

You should have to do none of these things I agree, but if you know your stillbirth won't then be raised accidentally and insensitively then maybe that would help your stress levels.

I am so very sorry for the loss of your son and wish you all the luck in the world with this pregnancy. If nothing else your post will probably make many of us check notes more carefully.

[HeffalumpsAndWoozles]

Oh emmalou im so sorry I don't have anything helpful to add other than the suggestions above sound sensible, but I couldn't read your op without commenting, you have been through such a heartbreaking time I hope you are able to find a way to resolve the issue for your future scans. Wishing you luck in your pregnancy.

[Pizdets]

Emmalou, you're not alone. When I went for my amnio a couple of weeks ago, the sonographer who scanned me first asked 'so is the baby still moving well then?' - I was 15 weeks, so was pretty sure I shouldn't feel movement yet but it really upset me for a bit until it became patently clear she hadn't bothered to check my notes to see how far along I was. I'm not sure I can suggest anything to help but wanted to let you know you're not alone!