Forum 2nd trimester

Frugal sonographer

9 replies

Morag
Hi everyone,

What kind of info do you usually get during a check-up scan? Our sonographer basically said nothing...

I'm now over 14 weeks pregnant with twins. We had hoped this scan would tell us how much they were growing, if we could hear their heartbeats (so far we've only been allowed to see them), the position of the placenta, whether there's one or two placentas, and maybe a guess at the sex?

But she immediately told me to lie down and said, "Now we're not going to talk anymore because I'm coming close with my head" (I assume it's due to corona, but previous sonographers used to chat normally? Weird, considering it was the same hospital). She was silent for the whole scan. She measured the head circumference, labeled the limbs, and then gestured that I could sit up again. Very brief conclusion: "Everything is fine."

When my partner and I asked for a bit more explanation, we didn't get any, just "everything's good, don't worry." The questions we had weren't addressed at all.

Long story short: During your first scan in the second trimester, did you get this kind of info? Was there room for questions? Or is this normal? Even though it was just a check-up scan, I feel a bit brushed off, which I feel silly about, because (apparently?) everything is fine with our twins, and that's what matters most...

Thanks in advance!

Replies

  1. starz #2

    Hi Morag,
    That’s so sad about your ultrasound experience. You want to know so much about your babies. You’re looking forward to an ultrasound to admire them again. I don’t remember exactly how our ultrasound went at that stage, but I always asked a lot because I wanted to know everything.
    It’s great that everything is okay, but I completely understand why you feel brushed off. If this is due to safety measures at the moment, the lady could have at least been a bit more quiet about it, I think. I would definitely make a comment or file a complaint, or ask if this is normal. But that’s entirely up to you.
    Hope for a nicer ultrasound next time!

  2. Liesbeth #3

    That’s really unfortunate!

    You definitely want to know how your babies are doing! And a little more explanation is always nice. Especially since it’s your first babies and they’re twins right away... couldn’t you just mention next time that you’d like more details? That’s what I’d say...

    We’ve always been able to ask our questions, and they follow up well, especially because it’s twins.

    Hope it goes better next time!

  3. Orchidea #4

    That sucks so much that you had such an experience with that sonographer. And seriously, it’s totally understandable that you want to hear some info about certain things. I have to be honest, my midwife is also quite formal and checks the necessary things, lets you hear the heartbeat, but wants to get you out the door as quickly as possible once everything’s okay, after checking your blood pressure, etc. With a nice detailed scan, on the other hand, they often tell you more. They usually take 15–20 minutes and share lots about your baby. Like when my placenta is positioned further back and stuff like that. I also find the detailed scan nicer. You do pay a bit more for it, but you come away with more knowledge. With the midwife, it’s basically just checking if everything’s okay, I think. That’s why I’m glad I had the detailed scan.

  4. Morag started this #5

    Thank you so much, dears! Today is the pre-scan, so I hope we'll know more by then...

  5. starz #6

    Exciting!!!! Let us know how it went.

  6. Morag #7

    starz Oh yes, this afternoon we heard (and saw!) that we are expecting a boy and a girl !! I'm still totally hyper, grinning from ear to ear, and my partner is too. We didn't have a preference beforehand (since we have no kids yet), but this is perfect!!

    The sonographer we saw this time was nice, skilled, and even answered/clarified all the extra questions we had, super nice! For those interested: there are two placentas, both located at the back of the babies The difference between the sexes was clearly visible, I don't think we got a wrong gender determination now. Between the difference in sex and the two separate placentas, it's now 100% certain that our twins are fraternal. We also heard their hearts for the first time, and how bizarre was it to see that they've grown and developed so much again! This makes the previous ultrasound completely worth it. So I'm not filing a complaint, are you crazy: I'm way too busy doing happy dances through the living room!

  7. starz #8

    Congratulations on a boy and a girl!!

    And it's so nice that the prenatal scan went well, and all your questions were answered.

    Enjoy the pregnancy!! Before you know it, you'll be halfway there.

  8. Susanna #9

    Congratulations! It's striking that you haven't heard the heartbeat before, can it really be detected at 8/9 weeks?

  9. Morag started this #10

    Pineapple Yeah, I thought so too at first, but since it's a twin pregnancy (so automatically a medically indicated pregnancy), we only get medical ultrasounds at the hospital. There, they only focus on what's necessary. Once you see the little hearts beating, you don't need to hear them extra to know they're working, you know? Less about the experience and less fun, which is exactly why we also do early ultrasounds with a midwife!

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