To complain politely about this sonographer?

[Oscalito]

Went for a 20 week scan yesterday. The sonographer asked me to remove everything apart from my bra and put on a gown.

When I lay down on the table she then pulled up my gown, said 'oh dear' (because I was completely naked) and then went oh, I'll get you a sheet to cover you.

I left some feedback saying that I thought if possible I prefer to remain covered and as she'd asked me to undress completely surely she would remember that I was naked and not just pull my gown up.

In the grand scheme of things I know it's not at all important but it was awkward and avoidable and she didn't need to see me naked, it was just a scan.

And I remember having a baby last time and the midwife who'd seen everything had the respect to look away as I staggered off to to the shower wrapped in a sheet.

I think patient dignity is important and I don't like this idea that you 'leave your dignity at the door' when you have a baby, and everyone has the right to just manhandle your bits and see everything.

I'm in Australia now and the attitude here seems a bit more old-fashioned towards pregnant women i.e. we're the doctor, you're the patient, put up and shut up. I do miss the NHS.

[Joiningthegang]

Yes I think you should - in uk you don't remove anything for scans.
Dignity is important

[dinkystinky]

Wtf? Why would you need to be completely naked for a scan of part of your torso? Ridiculous. Yes I'd complain about the policy and her lack of consideration.

[Pontouf]

Definitely. That is really unprofessional. I'd have been really embarrassed! Why in earth do you need to put a gown on anyway?! It certainly isn't the case in this country.

[McKayz]

You don't take anything off for scans in the UK. I would complain.

[TiredyCustards]

How bizarre! Certainly complain, I'd feel the same in your position.

I hope all was well with the scan otherwise.

[TheCutOfYourJib]

I think she meant everything off your top half.

[TheCutOfYourJib]

Which is why she wasn't expecting you to be naked.
I would only have removed my top half of clothing or if I wasn't sure asked her what she meant.

[diddl]

Could be a misunderstanding on both parts.

What were you wearing?

Top & leggings type stuff that could easily be pulled up/down?

I'm sure I remember pushing leggings down under my bump before getting on table & sonographer or I would move top out of way iyswim.

[LST]

I think she meant top half too. That's what I would have done.

[MrsBungle]

Yes I'd complain! I've never had to remove anything other than pull my trousers down a bit. Is that standard in Australia then?

[ginmakesitallok]

Why didn't you ask her why you needed to be naked before you took your clothes off?

[CloudsAndTrees]

She didn't make herself clear so you misunderstood her when she said take everything off. I wouldn't bother complaining, she probably realised she hadn't made herself clear when she saw you naked.

[cantbloodywellchoose]

What a weird notion. Don't take any clothes off here for scans. But I'd have prob queried it first because getting undressed.

[lollilou]

I think CloudsAndTrees has it. I wouldn't complain either.

[ZillionChocolate]

Sounds like a misunderstanding, presumably they meant take everything off your top. I would hope they'd be more precise after this.

[Umlauf]

I'm in Spain and they did the same, lthough I didn't understand the instructions so she just pulled my clothes off me. I also had the vag-cam with NO warning at 20 weeks too. Came out in tears, but when I mentioned It to a Spanish friend she laughed and told me I'd better get used to it in time for the birth.

I miss the nhs too, and sympathise.

[StupidFlanders]

I'm in Australia and am on to my 8th high risk pregnancy (lots of scans) and have never had to take my clothes off (except for my lower half for an internal scan- and then I was asked to insert it myself with a witness asked to come in to make sure nothing awkward happened). Very odd.

[Oscalito]

No she definitely said 'take everything off apart from your bra and put this gown on. Otherwise your clothes will get covered in gel'.

She had a blanket ready so I thought she was going to do that thing of putting the blanket over my hips first then pulling the gown up to show my belly with my lower half covered, which would have been fine (and which was why I didn't question getting undressed in the first place. In my experience HCPs usually do everything they can to avoid exposing patients unnecessarily).

Umlauf sounds like Spain has the same mentality. I've been to two private radiology clinics for my scans (part-privatised health service here) and the service has been patronising at best.

It annoys me because I had such good care in the UK and there seemed to be a real emphasis on patient dignity that's lacking here.

Everything fine with the scan I think. I did ask her how it was looking and she wouldn't tell me.

StupidFlanders wishing you all the best with your pregnancy.

[TheCutOfYourJib]

No she definitely said 'take everything off apart from your bra and put this gown on. Otherwise your clothes will get covered in gel'.

Yes like a lot of people said, she meant everything off your top half, she presumed you would realise that. You misunderstood her. Most people realise when they go for a scan that you don't need to be naked. You should have clarified.

[HeathRobinson]

I had the same years ago when going for a chest x-ray. They said take everything off and put this gown on, so I did. They were not impressed.

[diddl]

Oh dear!

I suppose they hope that most people know that none of your chest is in your pants!

[pumpkinsweetie]

How very odd, i can't see why there would be a need for a 20 week pregnant lady to be nude for a abdominal scan

[Oscalito]

Oh ok cut of your jib you may be right. I'm very literal, everything off to me means everything off.

God, how embarrassing.

[Oscalito]

heathrobinson that makes me feel better...