Sore/achey stomach after 20week scan.

[Jellybean2011]

Hi,

I had my 20 week scan today and it wasn't a nice experience! The ultrasound technician was a bit moody and very rough. I understand they need to get all the measurements (which she couldn't do anyway so I have to go back in 2 weeks) but she was really pressing down hard and even when I made noises of discomfort she just ignored it and carried on. While she was carrying out the scan she was silent and when I asked questions about what I was seeing I just got one word answers and no explanations. She could not get an image of the baby's spine so just told me I'd have to come back, gave me paper towel and told me to wait outside. I had to ask the nurse who gave me my new appointment if everything else was ok other than the spine and she couldn't tell me. It's 5 hours later and my stomach still hurts and now I have to wait another 2 weeks to find out if everything is ok with baby. I have had previous scans and they have never made me feel like this :-(

Hi I'm really sorry to hear that you've had such a horrible experience :( can you request that the next scan is with someone different? I think worth complaining about her poor attitude tbh! At my 20 week scan for this preg the sonographer was lovely and talked me through what we were looking at and gave me lots of pics. She did have to press very hard though to the point that I felt very sick and faint and she had to stop for a while. She did apologize though! I hope you have a better experience in two weeks and come away feeling reassured that everything is fine :)

I didn't have any problems with my sonographer but she did have press down hard, I had to jump around, do pelvic thrusts, squats etc to get baby to move & then she asked me to go out drink a fizzy sweet drink & come back. I was a wreck by this point & a bottle of fat coke & holding in a wee for dear life baby turned to give us a face shot so she could check for cleft lip etc

I had a similar time; they have to work really hard to make sure they get all the measurents exactly right.

In my case they couldn't see te heart because DD wouldn't turn, but she did at the second attempt.

And it bloody hurt that time too. But hey, it's a wee bit of discomfort for a good reason.

Chin up, OP

I'm really sorry you had such a negative experience. I had a similar 12 week scan like that - very rough sonographer who grew quickly impatient when baby wouldn't get in position and somehow made me feel like it was my fault. She wasn't rude, but she was terse and wouldn't tell us what we were saying. She couldn't get the all the measurements required for the nuchal, so we were sent away - but again, no explanation given. My DH and I were left feeling a bit upset after what should have been an amazing experience.

At my 16 and 20 week scans, however, I had two different sonographers who were both lovely and talked me through everything. It looked like I might have to come back as she couldn't see the heart at 20, but she was so reassuring and made every effort to - successfully - find it.

I'd say everything is more than likely to be fine for you, the sonographer explained to me that they have to be absolutely sure. But I guess some are better than others in conveying that information! What I do know is that if they think something is wrong, they will tell you there and then - again, that's straight from the sonographer's mouth!

Just hope you get a nicer one and a better experience next time. I know they are busy but a better understanding of how scary and uncertain the whole thing is for us would not go amiss! Xx

Thanks everyone, I will hopefully have a nicer experience next time. I totally understand that they are busy and need to get through everyone but I felt very dismissed and like you CBo79 I was made to feel like it was my fault, I wasn't given the option to get up, walk around or eat something but I'm guessing it's hospital policy. I had two miscarriages before this pregnancy so maybe I am being over sensitive and worrying too much, it is good to know that they would tell us straight away if anything was wrong. I'm off for a warm bath to soak awake my aches and pains xxx