Crappy Anatomy Scan

Hi Ladies - I meant to post this before but we've been super busy over the past week. I went for my anatomy scan last week at 18+5. Baby measured at 18 weeks exactly. I swear I had *the worst* ultrasound tech *ever* at this scan. She barely spoke English and was very pokey-prody and had terrible bedside manner. She only somewhat tilted the screen toward me for about 5 minutes of the scan toward the very end. Then when she said she was done, I asked what gender I was having (to confirm from the early elective scan I had done before) and she said she "didn't check." So she took another look and after about 3-4 minutes of trying to see down there, she said she "couldn't tell" but also "didn't see a penis" while she was scanning before. So then she said good bye to me and I walked out of the clinic without even a single picture of my scan. I was fuming.

The private tech I saw at 14 weeks was very good and said I had a "textbook girl." At 18 weeks, if the baby was a boy, would the tech be able to see the boy bits clearly on a scan? I'm still feeling confident the private tech was right and this last one was just a complete ding-a-ling, but I guess I'm feeling a little nervous now... Opinions would be appreciated. Thanks.

I would honestly file a complaint! That is ridiculous! We wait forever to get to see our ultrasounds... It's one of our first bonding moments and should not be ruined by someone that's in a bitchy mood... My 12 week tech was basically the same experience I wasn't very happy about it....

Sorry for your bad experience... I would personally have to do another private scan so I could know for sure

That's awful I'm so sorry.
My anatomy scan was two days ago. And the tech was very nice and took her time with us. I asked if she saw gender and she said she saw it either in the scan and its a girl. She showed me between the legs briefly and then flipped the angle to behind the bum to show me lines. I know that's a terrible angle for gender determination. So I doubted her credibility a little bit then. However, I'm trying to be confident.

My advice to you, just for your reassurance, is to get a private scan. DH and I got a triple deluxe package. We get three visits. So the first one was at 17.3 weeks when I got all those girl shots, and the second one will be August 3rd. I'll be 23.3 weeks. The last one is in September when I'll be 28 weeks. So I still have two more times to confirm gender and that makes me feel so much better.

Sorry for your bad experience I would file a complain. I am pretty sure that she would have been able to see a pee pee in there because when I got my scan with DS1 at 17 weeks they saw it right away.

OMG! That is awful. I would definitely call someone and request another scan. These docs and techs know how much we look forward to seeing the baby and bonding with them! I wouldn't let them slide with this. Sorry for the bad experience. Congrats on baby girl!

Thanks lovelies! You are all so sweet. I'm afraid to complain because I know how hard it is to lose a job and have to find a new one. This lady could have children depending on her to provide and I'd hate to be responsible for someone losing their job. :( I am not going to complain to the u/s clinic but will ask my midwives to get another scan in a few weeks. I have a uterine fibroid anyway so they'll probably be able to get me another one just because of that. I'll certainly go to a different clinic next time. :P

Sorry to hear about your bad experience but hope that you get a scan sorted soon. Definitely for a different clinic!! Xx

I would be pissed! I am so sorry that happened to you!! I'd also complain.

I was told girl at 18 weeks and then a weenie popped out at 22 weeks....so it can happen. Call and see if you can get another one.

I had a similar situation last week & wrote a formal complaint.
Hardly spoke to me, no bedside manner & the entire experience was sad.
Yep no photo for me either-it's almost the most shattering part!!
People have told me to go get another one, but it's hard when the moments past.
I'm sorry you had a yuk experience too, no one should have to at such an exciting time :-(

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Originally Posted by BabyGirl4Me

Hi Ladies - I meant to post this before but we've been super busy over the past week. I went for my anatomy scan last week at 18+5. Baby measured at 18 weeks exactly. I swear I had *the worst* ultrasound tech *ever* at this scan. She barely spoke English and was very pokey-prody and had terrible bedside manner. She only somewhat tilted the screen toward me for about 5 minutes of the scan toward the very end.

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Unfortunately some cultures are like that and it perfectly acceptable. Their was a pediatrician at the last military clinic we were assigned to. She was just like that and everyone hated her. All I did was argue with her.

If you file a complaint make sure you get across what the issue was in the clearest manner possible and not just attack her as a person. It was her lack of communication, rough handling, etc that was your problem, nothing to do with her ethnicity, beliefs, religion, etc.

In the USA some people have to take "sensitivity training". Even though that person was from another country other than yours they may need sensitivity training for OUR cultures. We find her approach and behavior in the u/s to be offensive.

I understand your hesitancy as it is hard to lose a job and find another, but you may help save her job in the long run.

I honestly feel you can say ANYTHING, it all comes down to how you say it which totally determines how it is taken.

FWIW, I am sure we'd be happy to give feedback if you write something up! Just an idea!!

These were 2 of the pics I got from my 14 week scan. Tech seemed really confident, but now I am all worried based on your previous responses.

Attachment 12357

Attachment 12358

Second pic looks pretty darn girly!! :)

I think they look way girly, but I'm not a super experienced nub-watcher. :)

That is a girl.

Thanks Atomic - and I owe it to you! :)

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Originally Posted by atomic sagebrush

That is a girl.

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Yep, girl.

I'd write a complaint. If she's done it to many others, then either she needs retraining. In the UK dismissal is hard to do in the NHS. There needs to be a period of improvement targets, which if she is still getting complaints, then goes to formal warnings. If she's already got to the formal warning stage, then she shouldn't be in that job anyway!

Thanks for the post Northern. I am over it now and am just feeling grateful I went for a private scan. I opted to buy the DVD so I can watch the video any time too, and some people only get 1 or 2 scans and a few low quality printed pictures, so I'm lucky to have that too. :)

Can you go back to the private one you saw at 14 weeks? That 14 week potty shot looks girly to me, and I do think at the anatomy scan a doodle would have been obvious (I could see my boys ones a mile away)... But just for reassurance and request the same tech you had at 14 weeks.

I agree that a sensitive complaint letter could help save her job if you focus on what was lacking and how she could improve.

I could Meeks but she was pricey! I think I paid like $70 for the scan! I feel more confident that the baby is a girl. I think I would have been able to see a little wee wee on the scan if it was a boy at 18 weeks.

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Originally Posted by BabyGirl4Me

I could Meeks but she was pricey! I think I paid like $70 for the scan! I feel more confident that the baby is a girl. I think I would have been able to see a little wee wee on the scan if it was a boy at 18 weeks.

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I understand. But FYI $70 is a BARGIN! It's $160+ for all the ones near me! Boo! I still plan to do one at 16 weeks though. Better not get a mixed result or I'll be complaining at that price!!!! ;-)

I have another scan scheduled with another clinic next Wednesday. I know my 14 week shots look girly but I'm honestly feeling kind of nervous. We had a few people get early scans here and ended up finding out at later dates they were having opposites... I feel like I only have a few more hurdles to jump over before I reach my goal of having a daughter, with the next one coming next week. Ugh, it's going to be a long week... I'm totally going baby shopping after that scan.

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Originally Posted by BabyGirl4Me

I have another scan scheduled with another clinic next Wednesday. I know my 14 week shots look girly but I'm honestly feeling kind of nervous. We had a few people get early scans here and ended up finding out at later dates they were having opposites... I feel like I only have a few more hurdles to jump over before I reach my goal of having a daughter, with the next one coming next week. Ugh, it's going to be a long week... I'm totally going baby shopping after that scan.

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Don't feel bad about being nervous. We've all been there. I just had a scan last Saturday, and I have one more when ill be 32 weeks. I'm sure your baby is a girl!

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Originally Posted by BabyGirl4Me

I have another scan scheduled with another clinic next Wednesday. I know my 14 week shots look girly but I'm honestly feeling kind of nervous. We had a few people get early scans here and ended up finding out at later dates they were having opposites... I feel like I only have a few more hurdles to jump over before I reach my goal of having a daughter, with the next one coming next week. Ugh, it's going to be a long week... I'm totally going baby shopping after that scan.

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14 weeks is not early tho - 14 weeks is right where I think it's pretty obvious. It's going to be pink!

Well, I went to my scan today. Tech was much better.

The baby was in a position where you couldn't really see the goods down there, of course. The tech said she thinks it's a girl because you couldn't see a wee wee or anything else like that, but she wasn't 100% certain.

Well, I guess we won't know for 100% sure until this baby is out, but I am feeling better that there wasn't an obvious wee wee on the scan today.

I hope there right....

My little guy has a very good ability to hide his good and has been able to look penisless on all three of my scans lol...

I had a private scan at 14 weeks and was told girl by a tech who teaches high risk ultrasound. She put the dopplar on the goods and everything and said she was 100% certain girl. I guess it's like, I feel like maybe it's too good to be true or something? We already decided on a name (the one I really wanted) and am hoping that my sway really did work. I mean, I guess it did based on my scan today and early scan, but I wish I could have been told 100% girl today. :(

Babygirl4me I'm so sorry. I was really hoping you'd know for sure after today.

Me too Babygirl4me! So sorry she didn't cooperate. For what it's worth, I think 100% it's a girl!!

I still have trouble believing mine is a girl. A 60 year old doctor that is an OB for high risk deliveries did my 20 week scan (and I was actually 21 weeks)... and I am still like- what if he was wrong?? :)