"12 week scan"

Arrived at our 12 week scan with mixed emotions of excitement and nervousness. As requested, I made sure I had a full bladder ahead of the appointment. Unfortunately, they were running behind by about half an hour, slightly longer. This wasn’t an issue, other than needing a wee… I understand it only takes for one appointment to take longer to then knock the rest back the rest of the day.

When we were taken, the staff member I saw didn’t come across as overly friendly, but I thought perhaps it was because they had fallen behind with their appointments that day - not that it makes it ok to take it out on me. They spoke very quickly and in a very hushed tone, so much so that I struggled to understand what they were saying. They began the scan and quickly became frustrated because baby wasn’t in the right position and my very full bladder meant baby didn’t have sufficient room to easily turn around so she could get a better view. I was told to go to the bathroom and empty my bladder. I returned and their attitude hadn’t improved, despite my partner trying to make lighthearted small talk with them whilst I was out the room. The staff member started the scan again and remained frustrated, tutting and sighing because the baby was lying on their side with their back on show. From what I could hear it was that they can’t get a good enough view to see what is needed to see.

By this point I was terrified something was wrong with our baby because we wasn't being told what was happening. My partner had taken my hand as he could see I was anxious. They were digging the probe into my stomach really firmly, I assume it was to get the baby to turn around - I understand this is perhaps required in this instance and if so, that’s not a problem, it just would’ve been nice for explanation on what was happening. The baby did then move into a better position and they were able to take the required measurements.

I had read up on what to expect at the scan, and thank goodness I did. I was given no information on what was being done or what they were measuring etc, luckily my partner saw the NT measurement and shared this with me later, as we were never told the result, despite me asking them if things looked as they should. We were told the scan isn’t diagnostic it’s only an indication. I felt the tone and manner in which we were spoken to throughout our appointment wasn’t necessary. It made me feel as if it was my fault. Another issue was that I apparently took too long going to the toilet, there was a comment to my partner about how I was taking so long… I was out the room for no more than 3 minutes because I was conscious it was eating into our appointment time.

Once they got the measurements and told me to clean myself up, they quickly said something else about going back to the waiting room. I wasn’t sure what they meant so we stood there awkwardly for a few moments, then handed us our scan photo. I had heard from friends & family that in other hospitals you have the option to pay for more scan photos so I query this. They laughed at me and told me that everyone gets one photo and that’s it, they keep it fair and that I don’t get preferential treatment and laughed again. I’m not entirely sure why it was funny nor why it would be considered preferential, but they made me feel really stupid.

What should have been an exciting appointment for us seeing our little one, was actually a pretty horrible experience where I was made to feel awkward and as if I was doing something wrong. Not something anyone would enjoy but especially not in a vulnerable position like that where you are depending on them letting you know everything is ok. I actually had to look up and double check what my NT measurement actually meant. Really disappointing and I’m actually dreading having to go again as I understand I have no control over where my scans are.