Dumb ultrasound technician and blues

[Nimra]

we had yesterday our nineteenth week ultrasound at sandringham hospital. first bad thing strike to us was v bad, unwelcoming reception staff at ultrasound counter and then the super dumb lady came and asked us to come in for ultrasound.

Throughout ultrasound she only turned the monitor towards us for three time to show us baby's profile, feet and hands thats it she didn't speak a word neither told us any thing.
neither she responded any questions. In the end she said ya looks all fine and thats it.

We were waiting for this ultrasound from one a half month and really made plans for shopping for bub after knowing the gender but she made our mood spoilt by not involving us in any thing. She wasn't sure about the gender too. I don't know if she was newly hired!

Me and my husband we are just not very happy since yesterday. yesterday he specially took off from work.
I asked her my bub moves very little some times just one movement she just didn't responded to my question so embarrassing!. Hubby thinks she wasn’t an expert he thinks we should go to some private ultrasound clinic.

Shall I write a complaint letter to hospital? To save other mums from this?

Very disappointed
Nim

[Spring Angel]

I can totally understand why you are disappointed. Fair enough, there are times during the scan the technician needs to concentrate and can't chat but I don't think it's too much to ask questions and get answers. I've been to plenty of scans and not once has the screen been away from my view.

I'd be writing a letter for sure and even asking for another free quick scan with someone else to see your bub and have another look at the gender. I can't understand how upset you must be after waiting and anticipating it for so long.

Spring xx

[~ Zarava Flutterby ~]

If your not happy then i definately think it can't hurt to write a letter of complaint, it doesn't need to be in detail but just explaining that your experience was not great, the sonographer did not communicate well etc.
You could always get a referral from your Dr to get another scan somewhere else but it may end up costing you and i'm not sure how many they allow so close together.

I hope you can still enjoy the fact you got to see your little one (even if it was only 3 times) and that you know he or she is healthy.

GL with it all.

[Junglemum]

Sonographers, like other medical professionals don't have to have a great bedside manner to get their degree. (unfortunately)
Many general US practices are very busy and getting good images and correct information is often more important than their communication skills. Again, this is unfortunate but i guess the most important thing is that they are good at the scanning and don't miss anything. It would be nice if they all had a delightful bedside manner, but as you've seen, they don't.

My advice to you would be to go to a private sonography practice like 'melbourne ultrasound for women' Where they are all about babies, proving a service with pictures and a dvd. It will cost you, but you will get the scan you are after.

[Nimra]

Sonographers, like other medical professionals don't have to have a great bedside manner to get their degree. (unfortunately)
Many general US practices are very busy and getting good images and correct information is often more important than their communication skills. Again, this is unfortunate but i guess the most important thing is that they are good at the scanning and don't miss anything. It would be nice if they all had a delightful bedside manner, but as you've seen, they don't.

My advice to you would be to go to a private sonography practice like 'melbourne ultrasound for women' Where they are all about babies, proving a service with pictures and a dvd. It will cost you, but you will get the scan you are after.

Falguni
yes I did have experienced "Melbourne ultrasound for women" for my 12th week ultrasound and that one was the best.I don't remember how many time we saw the DVD and what a sweet heart was the doctor She explained each and every thing .
This time I got referral from hospital that is why I have chosen sandy ultrasound.Iam really considering going back to Melbourne ultrasound but for sure sending a complaint letter today them may be this save other mums.

[Cassius2]

I would send in a letter of complaint. there is no need to ignore your questions. they could of quite easily told you that she is not really in a position to be able to accurately answer your questions blah blah. just ignoring you is beyond the pail IMO.

Falguni is right, unfortunately in many science based degrees there is no importance placed on human relations/communication. There have been movements towards making all first year students complete a general arts year so they can improve on their human interactions...but i think this is still some time off (they do it in the US for example.

if it were me, and we could afford the spare cash, i would go to the womens ultrasound place with DH and enjoy the experience of seeing your baby and revelling in the magic and wonder...it is a precious time as we all know xx

[fourthontheway]

Wow! How rude!

Definitely send a letter of complaint. You have the right to be treated with courtesy, the fact that your baby is healthy is good ... imagine encountering the same rudeness and having a problem with your baby!

[paradise lost]

Is the 19-week scan the anomoly scan? I'm not sure how normal it is but our hospital sends out a leaflet about the20-week anomoly scan which states that for the most accurate results the scan should be done in a darkened room and in relative silence (not "no talking" but keeping it all to a minimum) because the sonographer has to really concentrate to look for some of the things the scan is supposed to be spotting. We're skipping our anomoly scan anyway so i guess i'll not find out how true it is. BUt in any case you should complain, because if they couldn't answer your questions due to having to concentrate they should have at least told you that, rather than just ignoring you.

Bx

[LadyNoor]

Oh Nim, that's very disappointing! So sorry to hear you had to go through that.

My first scan was with a younger lady, she was rather quite but far from rude. And she definitely answered me when I asked questions.

My sonographer dude was chatty and joked with us during the morphology scan (19 weeks?). He'd talk through what he was doing so when he needed to concentrate on something he'd say something like "right, give me a few seconds here i'll just measure baby's bla.. bla.. bla.." then he'd tell us of the results of what he just did. He even answered my 3.5 yo's questions!!!

We went to a scan clinic at a private hospital, and I was pleased that I always end up only paying very little after medicare reimbursement. But this could be because we've reached our threshold.

Maybe it's a good idea to get another scan?