Our First Trimester Screening Yesterday

[Ellee05]

We had our 12 week scan yesterday, although the guy doing it was bit rude, didn't talk to us and we weren't sure if it was baby moving or him just moving the U/S around. DH asked and he said "yes it's baby" I had to ask how long baby was, (4.9cm) then he just said ok, well toilets down the hall, you're done.

I asked him when we get results and he said call doctor on Wednesday. While we were happy to see our little one moving around were a little disapointed at the guy. I thought got results straight away given that I had bloods 2 weeks ago??

Also, how do you normally get copies of the pics? ours are only 3 small ones printed on what is like fax paper. Not the quality I imagined after seeing some friends pics on FB.

Anyway - all looks good, baby seems healthy so can't wait to get results tomorrow arvo and share the news with a few close friends =)

[~Trish~]

Congrats on your scan Ellee & congrats on making it to 12 weeks!

I'm sorry you got such a bad sonographer, I'm having my scan on Saturday and expect the same. I have been there for my last scan and he didn't tell me anything, it's so frustrating!

I'm glad your bub looked nice and healthy, it's so exciting to see them on the screen .

In my past pregnancies I've gotten scan pics on the paper you describe. You are best to scan them onto your computer ASAP as they can show signs of wear over time. Once you've scanned them you can crop/resize them so they look a bit better and you can also post the pics on FB.

The sonographer most likely has to put together a report to send to your Dr which is why you couldn't get the results today. Good luck with your results on Wednesday

[Evie76]

Ellee - some sonographers didn't go to "personality" school. You just have to read my posts in the Belly Buddies - July 15 to 31 - to see what I've been through with my sonographer.

With my DS the first sonographer had Powderfinger on (which I loved because Bernard rocks!) but he didn't so much as fart. Nooooooooooooooooooooooo personality and didn't even give me a picture.

[Amaunet]

It obviously depends where you go. I went to Ultrasound Care at The San - Wahroonga and they were awesome. Sonographer talked and explained the whole time (40mins) - if she was quiet she explained she had to concentrate and we got 6 photos and our doc got about 20 sent with the report which he gave to us at our next appt. We also saw their doc straight away to get the results.

The downside is it cost us ...$390!!! and got about $50 back from medicare OUCH! apparently the "scheduled fee" is $70ish? Our morph scan is $290 and apparently $120ish back...worth it for a good experience tho!

[Captain]

Elle, are you still seeing Adam? If you go through the sonographer that he recommends for the 19 wk scan it will be much better. They explained everything and gave us a DVD as well as photos. It's just across the road from King Eddies.

Great news though that your bubs is healthy.

[Ellee05]

Elle, are you still seeing Adam? If you go through the sonographer that he recommends for the 19 wk scan it will be much better. They explained everything and gave us a DVD as well as photos. It's just across the road from King Eddies.

Yeah we are, we meet Adam for the first time in a few weeks, but will fly back to Perth for the 19wk scan. Thanks for telling me this, I was starting to feel a little cheated given some of the pics we've seen of others experiences.

But yes glad to see that things looks good, just wait for results tomorrow hopefully

[Melbournemumma]

Hi Elle,

As everyone's said it depends completely on the sonographer. I've had two u/s with the public company that gp's and public hospitals send you too and in both cases the sonagraphers were pretty good, however I have now had two with the private company that my ob recommends. The first time the girl was good but not completely helpful. I think she was getting frustrated with Peanut. Yesterday, the girl was fantastic. She talked us through everything. It was the first time my Dad has ever been to an u/s and she even printed off a little 4d photo for him to take. It cost me $230 for my first morph scan and this one they bulk billed straight through Medicare.

For the pics, the first ones were like x-ray's, the second and fourth ones were on paper, and the third ones were on a disk.

[Pandora]

..I thought got results straight away given that I had bloods 2 weeks ago??...

Your referring doctor is the only one who is allowed to give you the results (as in risk ratios), the sonographer could have told you the measurement of room behind neck, but not what risj that puts you at.

Your BT results for the FTS could be at a different hospital than where you had your u/s, normally what happens it the senior radiographer will verify the u/s and then info is faxed to the genetics lab that has your BT results. I know in Victoria all of the BT go through the Royal Chilsdrens Hospital, regardless of where you are in when you hae the tests done.

The combined result is sent to your GP.
"Normally" this should happen within a couple of days - mine took 2 weeks because there was some miscommunication between the genetics lab and my GP and he never recieved the results until I called the lab myself and asked them to fax it to him.

[OceanPrincess]

Your referring doctor is the only one who is allowed to give you the results (as in risk ratios), the sonographer could have told you the measurement of room behind neck, but not what risj that puts you at.

I'm not sure that this is true - my sonographer was able to give them to us, he had the BT results and was able to calculate our combined risk.

Maybe it depends on whether the sonographer is an actual doctor with ultrasound/prenatal qualifications of some sort or just an ultrasound technician? Maybe there is a difference - kind of like a radiographer (can only take x-rays and not comment on them, but refer back to a Doctor for diagnosis and treatment) versus a radiologist (can take x-rays, diagnose and treat any injury).

And a psychiatrist versus psychologist.

Sorry to hijack the post - here's hoping your morphology scan is better and you get more info! I'd also suggest asking more questions and asking whether you get a DVD or if you can get photos on photo paper. We got photos on photo paper as well as the fax paper.

HTH!

[Pandora]

OceanPrincess where did you get your U/S done?
I was told by the geneteics lab at RCH that they were only allowed to release our BT results to the referring doctor, so there was no way our sonographer would know what they were?
Im happy to be wrong it will just make me crankier at ours taking so long!

[tattoo_mama]

I was under the impression that only a doctor can give you your NT risk rates, as sonographers are qualified to do ultrasounds, docs check ur bloods and then combine the two for the risk rates.

On sonographers personailties, it really depends. I went to a private hospital for my NT scan and the lady was monotonous and looked almost bored, we had to ask all the questions, but we got about 12 pics on a CD. Then our 20 week scan at the public hossy we are having bubs at (Kaleeya) and the lady was very thorough and talked us thru it, but we only got 3 photos on paper. Spose it depends! Good luck x

[Inanna]

Sonographers are highly trained at performing u/s. This obviously requires a vast skill and knowledge. She is at the front line - anything looking a bit iffy she would call in the radiologist or in this case the fetal medicine specialist to look. However, all u/s work is saved in real time and the specialist will review with alerts to anything that the sonographer may be concerned with.

As for personalities - that is just the way life is. Some are personable - happy and receptive. Others not so much so. I might add, when I was pregnant with Immy my fetal medicine obs had a sonographer working for him that I found very "droll". She looked like she wouldn't smile if she won the lotto. She also worked at the RWBH and I found her doing my daily u/s - she was just incredible. Awesome. It taught me that we just never know. She came to my room after Im was born just to congratulate me.

I know it's hard when you are so excited and happy -

Sonographers can only give you a risk ratio if the medical officer directs this. This would only be done if all was fine. Just like a nurse. We can give out test results under the direction of a medical officer (unless I was a nurse practitioner that is different again).