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Original poster

Sonographer behaviour

64 replies

Fifi80 · 21/09/2023 11:33

Has anyone had a sonographer leaning their arm on their hip during an ultrasound scan for support? Is that normal?

I’m a bit shaken. It was a male sonographer and we were alone in the room. Made me feel uncomfortable and I’m shaking now. Not sure what to do.

OP posts:
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HippeePrincess · 21/09/2023 11:36

Shaken? That’s ridiculous, yes sometimes an arm or wrist might touch or rest on part of you. I had to lie on my side facing away from my sonographer at one point while they draped their arm over my hip and side to get the picture required.

Duxelle · 21/09/2023 11:38

Hi OP - sorry that you feel this way.
Take a deep breath.
I remember my scans and I had both male and female during the 12 and 20 week scans.
I do remember both sonographers pushing the device very hard down onto the pubic bone but I don't recall putting their arm on my hip.
The most important thing here is it has crossed your boundary and you feel uncomfortable about it.
What was his general behaviour like during the scan? was there anything else that was said or done that made you feel uncomfortable?

TidyDancer · 21/09/2023 11:39

HippeePrincess · 21/09/2023 11:36

Shaken? That’s ridiculous, yes sometimes an arm or wrist might touch or rest on part of you. I had to lie on my side facing away from my sonographer at one point while they draped their arm over my hip and side to get the picture required.

I agree with this.

It sounds like you're having quite an unusual response to this OP. Was there anything else about him that worried you?

Duxelle · 21/09/2023 11:39

I would also think he may have just been trying to gain extra support in order to scan you but you are clearly distressed by this.

HenriettaBaguetta · 21/09/2023 11:42

I don't know what your background is so don't know if you're unreasonable to be shaken.

But you do seem to think there was something inappropriate or sinister in it and I really don't think there is.

The amount of pressure required for a sonogram means that it's difficult to do, and could cause injuries if over the long-term without the arm being supported. Or in someone with existing injuries the arm should be supported. And if it's a scan on your body, the arm can't be supported from elsewhere in the room.

He hasn't done anything wrong.

Moriquendi · 21/09/2023 11:45

My sonographer explained at the beginning of the scan that he might need to lay his arm on my hip/ leg/ push hard in order to get the right angles for best pictures. I really doubt there was anything more to it than that, though it would have been good if your sonographer had explained this first!

Justgonefishing · 21/09/2023 11:48

Have you got an abuse history op as sounds like something innocuous has triggered you? No , I personally wouldn’t be worried by this, as people have said ,sometimes when you are trying to do certain procedures you may have body contact. Would you have been worried if a female had done the same?

honeyrain · 21/09/2023 12:00

This is totally normal and he was just doing his job. He more than likely didn't even realise as he was focused on the task at hand - which can be tricky to get the best image.

I wouldn't think twice about it if I were in the same circumstance.

During all of my scans too, the sonographer/Dr (male and female chaperoned and not) would've pulled the top part of my trousers down to tuck a bit of the tissue along my bikini line. I always thought it was a little intrusive but totally in line with what they're doing as they need access to your pelvic bone and need to put the jelly there and wipe it off after/have you wipe it off.

Don't overthink what has happened.

Alargeoneplease89 · 21/09/2023 12:03

Dear God, don't have a heart ultrasound you would really shake

emilybr · 21/09/2023 12:03

I don't understand.

His arm, on his hip?

AnSolas · 21/09/2023 12:16

HenriettaBaguetta · 21/09/2023 11:42

I don't know what your background is so don't know if you're unreasonable to be shaken.

But you do seem to think there was something inappropriate or sinister in it and I really don't think there is.

The amount of pressure required for a sonogram means that it's difficult to do, and could cause injuries if over the long-term without the arm being supported. Or in someone with existing injuries the arm should be supported. And if it's a scan on your body, the arm can't be supported from elsewhere in the room.

He hasn't done anything wrong.

You are claiming is that there is no equipmemnt which can be designed to aid an employee avoid physical injury in a hospital setting and that the only solution is to use a paitent as a arm prop.

OP always trust your instinct and speak up if you are not comfortable with what is happening. If you dont like being touched (for any reason) explain that at the beginning of any exam. A good HCP will explain what is going to happen before it happens so that you understand and not be suprised or worried.
If you request a second person to be in the room this protects the person doing the test more than you so dont feel awkard in asking for this either.

I would think about giving the hospital feed back on communication which the sonographer may not even be aware has caused an issue for you. He is likely to be doing his best to get the best images needed and not realise that he had not explained if fully to you

TheUsualChaos · 21/09/2023 12:37

Scans do involve close contact but he should not need to rest his arm so heavily on you to the point it causes discomfort. Gentle contact however is very normal. Why did you not tell him it was uncomfortable at the time? It would be quite unfair to not say anything and then put a complaint in later (I know you haven't suggested you plan to do this but often the kneejerk reaction suggested on here).

From your wording I suspect you were more uncomfortable with the close contact of a male rather than being in discomfort physically? In which case may I suggest you speak about this with you midwife and ask her to request that you have female sonographers for any future scans. Please let the department know as it is far easier to accommodate of they know in advance so you are booked on the right list. Declining a male HCP on the day usually means they will have to go and find a female colleague to step in which means her own list will then likely run late. Whilst staff will always accommodate these requests, it can be disruptive to workflow and cause delays to other patients so advance notice where possible is always best for all involved, especially if you find it difficult speak up at the time. Take care OP and please speak about this with your midwife.

AuntieDolly · 21/09/2023 12:38

@Alargeoneplease89 I was just thinking that! We were quite close by the end of the appointment. Having said that, I once had an angiogram with a man who made me incredibly uncomfortable, and that has stayed with me a long time. I wish I had spoken up at the appointment and asked for a chaperone

dancingorange · 21/09/2023 12:41

Normal in my experience. Had to push quite hard to get the measurements for mine. Lord help you when you get to the cervix checking.

maria2bela1 · 21/09/2023 12:48

Sounds like could definitely be normal but totally understand that it's such an intimate area and if you're not used to it then it can feel invasive. Was the rest of his behaviour/mannerisms ok? If so then try not to worry, if you feel like there was a combination of concerns then you should raise them. Personally I always request female sonographers as I'm just more comfortable that way.

HenriettaBaguetta · 21/09/2023 12:58

AnSolas · 21/09/2023 12:16

You are claiming is that there is no equipmemnt which can be designed to aid an employee avoid physical injury in a hospital setting and that the only solution is to use a paitent as a arm prop.

OP always trust your instinct and speak up if you are not comfortable with what is happening. If you dont like being touched (for any reason) explain that at the beginning of any exam. A good HCP will explain what is going to happen before it happens so that you understand and not be suprised or worried.
If you request a second person to be in the room this protects the person doing the test more than you so dont feel awkard in asking for this either.

I would think about giving the hospital feed back on communication which the sonographer may not even be aware has caused an issue for you. He is likely to be doing his best to get the best images needed and not realise that he had not explained if fully to you

Show quote history

Nope.

Just saying there are very common, usual and completely reasonable reasons why the sonographer acted in a completely normal, reasonable way.

And that OP may be reassured by knowing it's completely normal and not have to 'feedback' anything at all as the sonographer did nothing wrong.

He didn't touch her breast or genitals which would need explaining beforehand.

He rested his arm on her hip momentarily. Something which most people would not see as an issue or think anything of.

If OP is disturbed by someone touching her in any way, that's fine. But she should have raised that beforehand if she thought it would upset her.

emilybr · 21/09/2023 13:00

@HenriettaBaguetta was he holding that wond thing at the time?

HenriettaBaguetta · 21/09/2023 13:01

emilybr · 21/09/2023 12:03

I don't understand.

His arm, on his hip?

No. He rested his arm on her hip at some point while scanning her abdomen.

Dillane · 21/09/2023 13:03

honeyrain · 21/09/2023 12:00

This is totally normal and he was just doing his job. He more than likely didn't even realise as he was focused on the task at hand - which can be tricky to get the best image.

I wouldn't think twice about it if I were in the same circumstance.

During all of my scans too, the sonographer/Dr (male and female chaperoned and not) would've pulled the top part of my trousers down to tuck a bit of the tissue along my bikini line. I always thought it was a little intrusive but totally in line with what they're doing as they need access to your pelvic bone and need to put the jelly there and wipe it off after/have you wipe it off.

Don't overthink what has happened.

‘Intrusive’, give over.

Original poster
Fifi80 · 21/09/2023 13:06

Thanks for everyone’s response. It’s good to hear that it is a normal practice. To your questions, I don’t have any history of abuse, it’s not my first time taking a scan, I’ve been pregnant 5 times, 3 misscarriages. I was super happy and excited to see my baby kicking in there., I have also taken a transvaginal scan with a male sonographer before and I have normally no issue with that.

I think what triggered the discomfort is that this songrapher seemed off from the get go. He didn’t introduce himself after calling me to follow him to the room, his way of talking didn’t feel professional as I was expecting throughout the appointment, he didn’t warn me that he would need to lean his arm against me hip after he had already been there for good few minutes. No warning before tacking in the paper into my pants either.

Anyway, I will not file any complaints. If they call me from the unit to discuss this, good. From what I was told this is a new person working there. I feel a bit better. Will try to forget this happened.

OP posts:
AnSolas · 21/09/2023 13:18

Fifi80 you dont have to complain rather offer the same constructive feedback just as you have layed out ^ here.

It could be he had one bad day but if he is not made aware of how off putting his actions were he can not change.

therealcookiemonster · 21/09/2023 13:39

I am not a sonographer but use the US machine to do a variety of scans and procedures. I have no idea where the rest of my limbs are when I am concentrating, just the position of the probe and what I am seeing. sometimes I have to move body parts out of the way but i always warn patients and talk them through it. scans can be very tricky and most likely he was trying to get into a good position.

obviously I wasn't there and if he was actually directly touching your bottom, then that's assault. I understand these situations can feel really awkward. for most healthcare professionals bodies just become so matter of fact after a while.

Original poster
Fifi80 · 21/09/2023 13:45

@AnSolas yes, I will provide constructive feedback when they call me back from the hospital, hopefully tomorrow. His communication and professional behaviours could be improved, but it looks like he didn't do anything outside of common practice, according to what some posts describe. I wish he had described what he was going to do before doing it so it didn't catch me by surprise.

And sorry if I sounded very emotional. Maybe it's partially due to pregnancy hormones.

OP posts:
Original poster
Fifi80 · 21/09/2023 13:50

@therealcookiemonster thank you for your take on this as a medical professional, it's very helpful to hear.

Just the way he rested his full arm on my entire left hip for something about 10 minutes felt wrong, but maybe that's normal. Also, not describing what he was about to do was uncomfortable because you don't know what to expect as a patient. I met many medical professionals before, but this time it felt different and I'm trying to figure out why.

OP posts:
WeWereInParis · 21/09/2023 13:54

I think I've had this at every ultrasound I've ever had - either during pregnancies, or a couple of times I've needed an abdominal ultrasound for other reasons.