Bad ultrasound experience

Update: Thanks to all the moms who suggested a private ultrasound! I was able to find someone to come today for $100. It was worth everything to be able to get a photo and have more time watching baby on screen <3 The tech was also very nice and tried different positions and even gave me more time to drink liquids to try and improve the image quality. Overall, 1000x better experience than my hospital visit yesterday! ————————— I’m 12w6d today and was excited to get a new ultrasound. My first one at 8w was transvaginal and I didn’t have to do anything beforehand to prep. Today, however, I wasn’t given any pre-visit instructions so I didn’t realize I needed to have a full bladder for an abdominal ultrasound. I peed when I left the house just ~30 min before my appointment. As a result, it was very hard to see the baby and the NP didn’t even try to print a photo. She said it would print even worse than it looks in screen. She didn’t try to measure it either or offer any other solutions like switching to a vaginal scan. My main issue with all this is that I made it clear to her and my previous provider that I wanted a photo to give to my mom who is leaving the country for several months for an emergency health issue in her family. I was going to announce the pregnancy to my mom with this photo hoping it would be evidence of a healthy baby. Before we even started the scan, the NP said something like, “Let’s get you that photo for your mom” but then only spent 5 minutes looking before she quit and didn’t print anything. :/ I think now we can only wait for the anatomy scan. The only availability was at the last possible day which is week 21 so we have to wait quite a while for the next one. At least we got the NIPT test today so we’ll see how that goes in the meantime. Has anyone else had a bad ultrasound like this? I feel like there should be instructions, especially for first time moms! I drank a little sweet drink before coming because I heard that would make the baby move but I didn’t know anything about a full bladder :(

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I had a similar experience, I’m sorry this happened to you. I had no idea I needed a full bladder. We did end up getting one photo but it took a reeeeeally long time and we pretty painful too. The photo isn’t great. Have you tried calling the office to explain the situation and see if you’re able to get another appt atleast to do measurements etc?

For an almost 13 week ultrasound, your tech shouldn’t have had a problem getting good pictures of the baby. The baby is big enough for a belly ultrasound. Might need to request a different tech next time. And you shouldn’t have needed to have a full belly for an almost 13 week baby, that’s why they didn’t tell you to drink up. You just had a really bad ultrasound tech.

I once came in for an ultrasound and didn't remember to have a full bladder. She allowed me to have water while she checked everything else. Then she checked the baby. This ultrasound tech you had sounds really unprofessional and rude. I'm sorry you had to deal with that.

Thanks for your reassurances <3 I felt like it was my fault for not preparing well enough. I’m too timid to ask for another ultrasound, the NP said that they don’t offer serial ultrasounds and told me to wait until the anatomy scan because that equipment is newer and “they have really good techs” lol. It’s like she knew she was a bad person for the job…

I’m so sorry this was your experience I would have been so disappointed! I had my 12 week scan on Tuesday and they didn’t tell me that I needed to have a full bladder until I got there. I also peed like 30 minutes before leaving the house 🙃 luckily I brought water with me and downed it before they brought me in. I know that they can be pricey but you can look into a private ultrasound clinic. I went to one at 11 weeks and it was an amazing experience so much better than at the doctor’s office. I hope your next scan is a better experience 🤍 (BTW I’m also 12w6d today!)

@Eva I sent you a message!

@Gabriella thank you! This was at Kaiser so I expected it to be a little better but I probably will look into a private clinic now, too. Also yay, due date twins :)

I’m doing my NIPT testing and ultrasound next week at 11 weeks. Do I need a full bladder? Anything I should do to prepare? Idk if they will use the transvaginal or what for this app

I’ve gone through a pregnancy before and I definitely don’t remember being told to have a full bladder. Weird.

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