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Original poster

Is this a normal scan?

26 replies

Inwaiting · 12/12/2015 17:19

I had my 12 week scan this week and its been on my mind ever since.

I have rang the PAH unit at the hospital to talk through my concerns but I'm yet to hear back.

The sonographer didn't talk through anything with us. No measurements, no everything is fine. He asked me four times if this was my first baby and then just said "all the best"

Neither of those present in the room discussed my results with me and even put a note in my file saying that I have a cyst on my left ovary - again no explanation. I even had to ask him to get me a photo as he said he wouldn't bother for the first scan.

I understand that maybe it isn't as fluffy as it is in my head. But is this norma? we saw baby on the screen and we think we heard heartbeat. I asked questions but he just ignored me.

I'm sure they would of said something if something was wrong but I just feel as this is my first baby a little more of an understanding would have been given.

Just wondered if this is normal or not?

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KittyandTeal · 12/12/2015 17:23

Sounds a bit rubbish but fairly normal. They do take measurements etc but won't always feed back to you.

Having been on the other side I guarantee they would tell you if something wasn't right.

AbiBranning · 12/12/2015 17:23

Sorry perfectly normal. Not right but normal and the cyst is perfectly normal usually too. Have had them for all pregnancies.

1frenchfoodie · 12/12/2015 17:58

Lacking in people skills but not something to worry over. My sonographer was very taken with my 'enormous' bladder, far less so with baby.

But surprised about the comment on not usuing doing a 12wk scan pic. It is a bit of a landmark, especially with a furst pregnancy, and mine is very recognisably a little baby.

Original poster
Inwaiting · 12/12/2015 18:06

Thanks ladies. I just thought he would say more than 'is this your first baby' and 'all the best'

I'm not worried about the scan as they would have told me if there's something wrong. I just thought they'd explain more things to me

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thenewaveragebear1983 · 12/12/2015 18:18

I always found antenatal appointments to be massively anticlimactic, you're so excited about your baby and they see hundreds! Wait til your first midwife appointment when all you do is fill in forms. I don't think anyone even checked I was even pregnant until the 12 week scan...your scan sounds Normal, if a little sparse, but I would have thought they'd encourage you to get a photo

E11Chick · 12/12/2015 18:37

This is so different from ours she showed us the measurements, gave us the due date, we saw the baby's stomach, bladder, ribs and spine etc. However, I'm sure if they had any concerns they will have talked these through with you and I think they quite often get somebody else in for a second opinion if they are concerned x

Brummiegirl15 · 12/12/2015 18:38

Having been on the "other side" 3 times, trust me you would know if there was a problem.

Crap manner though and not really acceptable!

Dinosaursdontgrowontrees · 12/12/2015 18:50

I'm 30 weeks pregnant with dc2 I have had to have lots of scans with this pregnancy (I'm high risk) the sonographers are vague at best, at worst plain rude tbh. I realise they need to concentrate and are not doctors so can't answer medical questions but a bit of general bedside manner would be nice. It's a bit of a running joke now between me and dh.
Did you get a printout with all the information to put in your file?

wonkylegs · 12/12/2015 18:55

That's a shame I've always had lovely sonographers and I've had a lot of scans with this baby and the previous ones.
I think you've been unlucky with one that's got no bedside manner, they aren't all like that.

Junosmum · 12/12/2015 20:53

I think in pregnancy I've been lucky and had lovely sonographers but I've had several health care professionals who have been similar to your experience.

Hamsolo · 12/12/2015 21:01

My own experience was nothing like that. It sounds like your sonography the was seriously lacking in people skills (and possibly shouldn't be dealing directly with patients). I've had 2 pregnancies, and at every scan the sonographer explained explain everything they could see as they went along. Not in massive detail, but "there's the heartbeat, looks fine, I'm just measuring the length". And so on.

I think it might be worth raising with the hospital because he might be able to engage with patients more with a bit of training.

RingDownRingUp · 12/12/2015 21:09

Normal ime. At my last one the sonographer told me that they weren't allowed to say anything at all.

RingDownRingUp · 12/12/2015 21:11

Agree with pp about knowing if there's something wrong. The sonographer face gives it away immediately. Been there Sad

Mordirig · 12/12/2015 21:29

To me that's not normal and I mean the way they behaved towards you.
If a medical professional didn't answer me when I asked a question I would not be happy and actually bring it up and mention it to them right there.

I've had 2 term pregnancies with more scans than a normal pregnancy and I've always been informed of what they are doing, measuring, looking for/at.

If they are not allowed to comment on the scan then fair enough but they should tell you that, something along the lines of ' sorry but I am only supposed to complete the scan, any issues if there are any will be discussed with you by the consultant/Doctor etc.'

Ignoring you is never on in my book.

mmmuffins · 12/12/2015 21:45

Am also expecting my first and my scan wasn't like yours, no. Everything was quiet for the first little while, but when the sonographer was done she turned the screen and showed us all the baby's parts, we watched the heartbeat, she asked if we wanted photos and talked us through her photography "oh baby keeps turning!". Gave us the age of the fetus and asked if it was what we expected. She found fibroids and asked me if I knew I had them and explained what they were when I didn't know.

I didn't find it fluffy, but informative and reassuring that the baby was developing normally so far.

Original poster
Inwaiting · 12/12/2015 21:58

I did repeat my question and asked him why he wasn't responding and he just point blank ignored me. I'm not concerned about the lack of advice i'm just concerned over his behaviour.

Whether I've seen my 1st or 100th patient for that day you still have a duty of care to explain what's happening to your client.

By sounds of things its a bit hit and miss which makes it even more frustrating :(

I'll let you know what hospital says. I was thinking of getting private scan but then I keep thinking I shouldn't have to?!

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AnchorDownDeepBreath · 12/12/2015 22:02

It's dependant on hospital policy. Some sonographers are told to keep engagement to a minimum, although he should then have directed you to your GP/midwife/whoever to answer your question.

I suppose if the scan was normal, the sonographer might not have felt that anything required explaining.

afloat · 12/12/2015 22:32

This sounds like really bizarre behaviour to me. Our scans were professional and medical, yes, but the sonographers treated us with respect (which means answering questions), talking through everything, showing parts of the baby and giving us photos. They asked you the same question four times?? That's definitely not normal or acceptable.

Purplelilly · 13/12/2015 01:10

I've not had a scan yet, but thought they'd be more informative. Sorry about your experience.

I have my first scan on the 22nd Dec. My midwife is away until the new year, does this mean I won't know if my baby has a heartbeat/is healthy until I see her at the end of January? I thought the scan was to tell you that things were ok and give you a due date.

Sorry for asking this on your thread. I hope it's ok!

Coraltee123 · 13/12/2015 01:11

Sounds like who ever you got wasn't very nice lol. Anytime I've been for a scan they explain everything to me. But my cousin got a woman like that and she wouldn't let her look at the screen and went mad because she moved to see it. Xxx

princesspineapple · 13/12/2015 17:37

I agree with PPs who say it's not right but is normal :( I've found that everyone I meet during this pregnancy is either 5 star wonderful or sent straight from hell to make me miserable! Our 12 week scan was much like yours, barely spoke to us even though I was in there for 40 minutes (baby was naughty and wouldn't be measured!), and when my OH asked if there was a heartbeat

princesspineapple · 13/12/2015 17:48

... Sorry fat fingers!...
The sonographer just snapped at him "I'm trying to concentrate!" Having had 4 MCs in the past, this didn't do anything for our nerves! But all was fine. The nurse who took my bloods for the screening was actually the person who confirmed our baby was alive and the due date!
Our 20 week scan couldn't have been more different, the sonographer took ages showing us everything she was looking for, confirmed everything was nice and normal, printed about 15 pictures and only charged us for about 3, she even said baby has a cute face (which I know you can't really tell but was nice to hear all the same!)... It's like friendly sonographer roulette! Hope your next scan is as nice as ours! :)

Discofairypants · 13/12/2015 18:06

I too had a pretty crap experience with a stroppy cow as a sonographer! In fact she was getting angry as the baby kept moving so she jabbed the scanner in really hard, making me nearly cry. Not pleasant at all.

I too have a cyst on my left ovary which I only discovered when she handed me back my notes. When asked, she just said 'well, whatever I say you will worry so there'. Such a joy! Mw put my mind at rest re cyst, so hopefully your mw will be nicer!

VintageGems1 · 13/12/2015 20:11

You said PAH...is that Princess Anne Hospital in Southampton? :)

Original poster
Inwaiting · 16/12/2015 10:46

Thanks for the feedback everybody. I spoke to the head midwife in charge yesterday and she wasn't shocked to receive my complaint.

It is the 4th complaint she has had about him in 1 week. He is currently serving his notice. She said it is a real shame as he is agency staff and they've been trying to get rid of him for a while because his behaviour isn't appropriate. A real shame considering he shouldn't really be doing his job if they think that.

Although they think they may have to take him on in January as they're short staffed?!?

In good news she talked me through my results and reassured me. She said for my 20 week to ask to speak to the midwife in charge and explain what happened last time.

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