Sonographer behaviour

[Fifi80]

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.

Except he didn't do some basic professional things:
He didn't introduce himself by name.
He didn't explain what he was doing
He didn't ask or explain the need to rest his arm on OP's hip, which isn't standard, and even if it were it would be professional to explain.

I had a pelvic ultrasound (external) this week and the sonographer introduced herself by name (there's a notice on the outside of the door to the room so you see it as you go in saying 'we will always tell you our first name")
She also explained what she was going to do, and she gave me the paper to tuck into my own knickers and asked me to push them down, which I thought was a good idea rather than her just doing it. She did not lean any part of her body on mine including when she needed me to lie on my side.

@Fifi80 not sure if you've had the call yet but see my post above re normal practice at my hospital

@Whataretheodds I've had none of that, including my private scans.

The only consent was via the 20 week scan.

I don't know if I would be bothered by the arm or not, prob less so if it was explained to me during the procedure.

@Whataretheodds thank you for your post. It's good to hear another person's experience. Your experience sounds like what I was expecting in my appointment yesterday and why it all felt off when none of this occurred. I haven't had the call back yet, but reading your post will help me articulate my feedback so I greatly appreciate you sharing.

@emilybr perhaps you could show the same level of empathy on this thread that I imagine you are hoping posters will show when they reply to your own post about giving birth in hospital.

It's not happened to me. I doubt I'd be shaken. It doesn't sound like inappropriate touching. Either there was something else about him or his behaviour or you had a bad experience in the past.

Perhaps if you feel this way try ensuring someone accompanies you to appointments particularly if it will be a man. I would say you don't want that thing near birth, I've forgotten the name, where they try to encourage birth but there's no medical evidence for it.

@Whataretheodds I would ignore some posts as someone is having a jolly old time discussing naked nipples in a hospital setting

I feel sorry for the many male medical professionals, who are running the risk of being accused of assault for just doing their job.

I would agree with this having had the exact opposite experience with a male sonographer while pregnant (in addition to flippant behaviour designed, I think, to humiliate me).

I completely empathise with OP, it shakes you up when you are at your most vulnerable and least able in your life to speak out.

@Toddlerteaplease , that's not at all what I meant to be doing with this post. Oh gosh. When a practitioner acts professionally there shouldn't be any issues.

@BlooDeBloop I'm so sorry.

They should do their job properly then - and the job includes behaving respectfully to patients, explaining what they are going to do and obtaining informed consent.

I think that's why male practitioners should be extra careful actually and not fall into sloppiness. I had a breast exam recently in hospital. The door opens and a man walks in. I was surprised expecting the staff to be all female (a friend told me this 🙄). He did all the things he should have done which made the obviously embarrassing event of a man touching my breasts just about bearable.

@Dillane huh? Why you telling me to give over? Did you read the rest of my comment?

I don't think the sonographer did anything wrong to the OP nor do I think any sonographer did wrong towards me.

I think it's normal for HCPs to get close during examinations like these.