Ultrasound - stop poking me!! (aksed nicely) « Back to Group Discussions

[fayebond]

Okay, I go in for my 20w US real soon.  And for the first one, I laid there and kept saying, can you be gentle I feel sick, please go lighter, that hurts, my belly hurts can you push less please, etc.  The tech kept pushing like she was kneading a loaf of bread and I felt really sick the whole time.  Its hard to feel bonded with this baby when the whole time I get to see Bean, I'm ready to throw up. I put up with it for DB#1 both times because I figured, that's just my body.  This time, the doc did a very brief double check and OMW it was SO NICE.  I couldn't tell anything was even happening.  So now I'm reading up on the topic, and it turns out, the angle that they use with the stick is what's important for imaging.  You only have to press hard if you don't know what you're doing.  Is there a nice way to ask?  Is there a stat somewhere that I can quote?

So, Q#1: how did your ultrasound go?  Did you have to ask them to be gentle?

and Q#2: if you weren't sickened by the poking, how did you get the tech to go light on you?

[phatchristy]

OK, this is baby #5 and I've had 5 u/s total (none for this one yet but I had bleeding with a previous pregnancy so they did one to check then, which was around 12 weeks and that was a vaginal u/s).

I don't remember any pain from them, however the same person has done it each time...maybe they just have a different technique?  I know once she had difficulty seeing some organs and instead of pushing hard she actually had me lay on my side to get a different angle.  

[mamadiamond]

i had complications with my first pregnancy that led to about 15 ultrasounds. the *only* time i had discomfort was during the 20 week anatomy scan dd's head was very low in my pelvis and the tech had to press in a bit to get a good view. my scans were all done by different people, so i didn't just have someone with a light touch. an ultrasound should not hurt.

as far as what i would do if the tech was hurting me: i'd ask politely once, maaaaybe twice, and if they ignored me and kept hurting me i would stop the scan and ask why they feel it is necessary to press so hard. if they couldn't give a reason, i'd ask that the scan be finished by someone else. there is no reason you should have to be in pain just because someone is a poor tech, and if there is a real reason for the hard pushing they should be able to tell you what it is. when my tech had to push in and it hurt she warned me ahead of time and made that part as quick as possible. that's just basic courtesy and professional standard of care.

[lulubikes]

Ditto! I just had my 20 wk ultrasound this week and she barely pressed. It was not uncomfortable at all - except for the holding my bladder part!

[travelmumma]

I would recommend speaking to the ultrasound tech before you lay down or pull your shirt up.

I would step inside the door, and say "I am blah blah weeks pregnant and I am very sick at the moment. I have had some bad experiences with ultrasounds and I do not wish to have another one. I would appreciate it if you were as gentle as possible with me."

Then get the yes from the ultrasound tech and then lay down for the procedure

[kaleiskind]

I've had multiple ultrasounds, and even when I was really sick, and ultra-sensitive, they didn't hurt. The only time it was uncomfortable was when I had a full bladder, and even then, it wasn't pain, just really wanting to be done so I could get to the bathroom! I also do not have a high tolerance for pain or poking around.

I'd definitely speak up and say something. Travelmumma has some sound advice.

Sometimes, the stick can feel a little uncomfortable at first going in, but they should not be hurting you. My tech even asked if I wanted to insert the stick myself, or if I wanted her to do it, and once it was in I was fine. Not my favorite way to spend a morning, but definitely no pain. Anytime I've ever winced, they've apologized and eased up, and they always, always ask if I'm doing okay. I don't think I've ever had the same tech twice, and I've been to different doctor's offices as well.

I don't think there is anything wrong with you, at all.

[segolilymama]

Ditto to all of it. It shouldn't hurt at all; the tech was obviously not well trained (though earlier, when babe is really small, they do have to sometimes press in a bit if your uterus is posterior and/or really low). Make 'em stop.