I've really liked mine so far (and just had one last week.) I like it when they're reassuring. "Looking good." "That's great." "Everything looks good there." "Nice even kidneys."
Obviously you'd have to figure out how to speak if everything wasn't going well, but I've really liked the ones excited for us.
this is an excellent point. It freaked me the fuck out when the tech was all silent. Every single time I thought sonething was wrong. It was much more reassuring to hear them say something- anything.
After reading more of this thread, the biggest thing I agree with is the quieter techs always made me nervous. And I'm sure I was so annoying, because I remember one u/s clearly where I kept saying "Is everything okay? Is she okay?" and she was finally like "She's fine, I just need her to wake up!" lol. But also terrifying. And I don't think that was the first time I had to ask them repeatedly if everything was okay before they spoke.
And I don't know if it was just standard practice where I went, but the only time they inserted the wand was for my dating scan. I had to have my cervix monitored from weeks 16-26 and each time they had me place it. That wasn't awkward at all.
I also just remembered the tech who did our NT scan - she was SO EXCITED. She was a student, and the whole time, when she wasn't pointing out what we were looking at, she was talking about how much she loves what she gets to do every day. That was really nice. She also very politely occupied herself with something else while I first cried like a damn fool (with relief - it was my first scan after my dating scan and I was so scared something had gone wrong in the weeks between), and then pulled myself together enough for her to be able to finish looking without my stomach jiggling the wand around.
Post by open24hours on Aug 22, 2014 19:50:47 GMT -5
I thought asking if the woman wants to insert the wand was SOP. I think it's nice to have the choice. When I've had them done, I've always felt better inserting it, but totally get why other people wouldn't want to. Again, it's all about choice.
In my second pregnancy, the early u/s were done by my RE himself and the later amnio one by a medical resident under the direction of a high risk specialist.
I saw 3 and I loved that they talked me through what they were looking for and noted that everything was great (luckily) and would make nice comments about how cooperative the baby was. They also asked if we had questions and would give us their opinions based on their experience which was reassuring. Plus they printed pix for us without being asked.
We had a hydrocephalus scare at the A/S and the doctor was horrible. When I asked what hydrocephalus could mean for our daughter, he compared it to being hit by a bus. At the first follow up scan 4 weeks later, the tech said, "I'm not supposed to comment but I think her brain looks perfect." I cried and she cried with me. She's the only one I remember and we had 8 of them.
Post by missmaddie on Aug 22, 2014 22:38:46 GMT -5
The first t/v one, to confirm my m/c, told me my dates were wrong and I was just less than 6 weeks, people think they know more than doctors, and then left. I was 10.5 weeks, and there should have been a heartbeat. Even if we hadn't been charting and had positive betas weeks earlier, one is not off by 4.5+ weeks. She was very cool and bored and clinical. I think she was annoyed I had been squeezed in, and not prescheduled weeks earlier, when I started spotting the day before. It was also really hard to be there alone when that was confirmed, and to have to walk out and tell DH alone while he waited hopeful in the waiting room.
I had a guy for a t/v several weeks later for retaining placental stuff, and he was quite easy going and pleasant enough. I felt bad for him as people probably balk at a guy in those situations and being so outnumbered in his office.
I really liked the lady who did my dating u/s with DS. Pleasant, warm, humane. Quickly told me there was a heartbeat. That's all I cared about after two previous losses. The woman who did my anatomy scan was disappointing. Didn't point out anything or angle the screen toward me, very quiet and serious though not really worryingly so. Just not personable.
I like the ultrasound techs who let me see the screen and tell me what I'm seeing and let me ask questions. And I really love when they print lots of pictures for me. I also like humor-when we saw this baby at 8 weeks, the (female) doctor doing the ultrasound showed us the brain and said, "well it's a girl!" lol
My worst ultrasounds were when we found out I was having a m/c or that it was ectopic. I still appreciated being told what I was (or wasn't) seeing on the screen, and also appreciated compassion. Like when my RE gave me a hug, and told me that someday she'd be giving me good news. I cried, but I'll never forget that moment. It's making me teary again now just thinking about it I hated when the tech was totally silent, because I knew it wasn't good news, but I also knew she couldn't tell me that without the dr there.
The first t/v one, to confirm my m/c, told me my dates were wrong and I was just less than 6 weeks, people think they know more than doctors, and then left. I was 10.5 weeks, and there should have been a heartbeat. Even if we hadn't been charting and had positive betas weeks earlier, one is not off by 4.5+ weeks. She was very cool and bored and clinical. I think she was annoyed I had been squeezed in, and not prescheduled weeks earlier, when I started spotting the day before. It was also really hard to be there alone when that was confirmed, and to have to walk out and tell DH alone while he waited hopeful in the waiting room.
I had a guy for a t/v several weeks later for retaining placental stuff, and he was quite easy going and pleasant enough. I felt bad for him as people probably balk at a guy in those situations and being so outnumbered in his office.
I really liked the lady who did my dating u/s with DS. Pleasant, warm, humane. Quickly told me there was a heartbeat. That's all I cared about after two previous losses. The woman who did my anatomy scan was disappointing. Didn't point out anything or angle the screen toward me, very quiet and serious though not really worryingly so. Just not personable.
Thank you for sharing all of this. That first one must have been so hard to go through. I'm sorry that happened. I'm glad you had a better experience with your DS.
Thank you all for answering. I've had a few u/s for various reasons. The one who confirmed my miscarriage kept commenting on how young I look for being married and pg (I'm 26, but often mistaken for at least 18), was kinda judgey and when she saw that the heartbeat was too slow, which she had already turned up to let me hear, she said a quick "Huh." and left the room to get the doctor. Needless to say, I was not impressed.