Transvaginal ultrasound & tech being creepy or normal?

[cherrylee]

The thing I'm scared of now is them telling me "it was normal"

It clearly wasn't normal. It didn't feel normal and definitely doesn't sound like a normal thing US techs do! But the fact that the nature of the exam is already in a awkward situation they might just take it as me feeling awkward about it and this guy can get away with it cause he's the "professional" and use his excuse that he had to move it that way to find whatever....

I think there's a name for medical professionals who do that kind of stuff, using their medical position to get away with this kind of sick crap.

"normal" or not, you were NOT comfortable with what happened. IMO if someone isn't comfortable then it is not right, I mean they teach young kids that if they are not comfortable then that means the situation is not right and to get away and tell someone.

 

[lch28]

im with my cousin right now and she is a u/s tech and she says thats not normal in any way and actually quite stupid.. report him

 

[Darklady]

I've had more TV u/s than I care to count (seriously... got to be near 100 by now with cycle monitoring, IVF, viability scans, etc.).... with at least 8 different techs, and I've never had one like you described, even by my one student tech. Heck, even my most recent scan when the tech couldn't find my left ovary it was almost entirely side-to-side movement. I'm so sorry you went through this!

As an aside... in all those scans, only once (a few days ago) have I ever been given the option of inserting the probe myself.

 

[poutie]

I've never had the doctor give me the option of putting the probe in myself, and honestly, that would make me feel wildly uncomfortable! I would NOT feel comfortable feeling around down there with the doctor just standing there, staring at me!

 

[FeLynn]

I would have cussed him out there is no need to go in and out what is he trying to see the vagina enterance?(being a smartass) I have had a few since I had 3 losses(sept 2011, jan 2012, and june 2012) I have never had them move it in and out, there has been a lot of movement but not like you explained. I have refused a scan by a man just b/c I am uncomfortable and some men creep me out. I have had to suck it up and had a man do it and I hate it.

 

[Sweetp79]

I would have cussed him out there is no need to go in and out what is he trying to see the vagina enterance?(being a smartass) I have had a few since I had 3 losses(sept 2011, jan 2012, and june 2012) I have never had them move it in and out, there has been a lot of movement but not like you explained. I have refused a scan by a man just b/c I am uncomfortable and some men creep me out. I have had to suck it up and had a man do it and I hate it.

I feel like marching in and cussing him out still!
I'm so sorry to hear about your losses

 

[britgirl82]

Ok I'm probably going to get flamed for this - but what's the big deal with having a man??! Can anyone explain this to me? As long as they know what they're doing: who cares?! Be grateful you have medical care and aren't in the Third World somewhere giving birth in a dirty hut on your own.

My first baby was delivered by a man, and he could have had three heads and been covered in purple spots for all I cared at that point. He knew what he was doing and the fact he was a man was utterly irrelevant.

Since then I've had numerous transvaginal ultrasounds, internals etc and I have had no problem at all with a man doing them. I am just grateful I've had access to top quality medical care.

I know there's the argument that a 'man might be a pervert' but who's to say a woman wouldn't be? How do you know the female nurse isn't 'enjoying' doing your ultrasound? Plus it seems excessively paranoid: yes the OP's sonographer seems to have behaved dreadfully but he is just one person.

Of course, what happened to the OP appears to have been totally wrong - I am in NO WAY condoning his actions - and I can totally understand if she never wants to be examined by a man again, but for everyone else to refuse to ever have a male doctor/sonographer because you 'might' get a pervert seems ridiculous.

OP - I really hope you find some peace with what happened and that the sonographer is punished according to his actions.

 

[Sarahcake]

Ive never had a TV ultrasound before, however I know many that have and not once has one of them said that kinda motion was used and believe me, me and my friends are that close that every detail with things like this are shared.

Very creepy, and very stupid on his part. Even if it was nothing dodgy behind it, did he seriously think that doing things in a manner that simulate sex would not make you uncomfortable at all? You are 100% doing the right thing in reporting him, even if he meant nothing perverted behind it, his technique needs to be analysed and hopefully improved.

One thing I will say though, is please dont let this put you and other ladies off being treated by a man. Men with ulterior motives are so rare, and I have been incredibly fortunate to work alongside many excellent male doctors and nurses across several different wards and specialities. They arnt all like it Just something to bear in mind I think.

Let us know how this meeting with the techs go wont you, and be sure to mention the terrible chaperone too. She should have been stood watching his every move, she is at fault here too.

 

[HollySSmith]

Well you'll get flamed for being rude not because of your viewpoint. Not everyone stated that they had any problems with it being a male, although some pp did say they prefer to have females. Just because we have access to great medical care does not mean we sign our rights away. So your point is moot.
I've never had a TV but I have had pelvic exams done by men, and honestly, they were some of worst experiences of my life. One refused to use lube on the speculum because it was his preference...even though it was ME who bled and was bruised from it (I did file a complaint). In some cases, not all, men simply don't realize things can be as sensitive for us down there as it is for them. At least with a woman, they have the same parts, so logically they have some understanding. Not ALL male professionals are like that, one of the most sought after OB's in my area is a male, apparently, he is amazing, kind and gentle man.
My point, is that it's wonderful YOU had great experiences, but we all don't live the same lives, therefore it's completely stupid to judge. How do you know pp didn't have traumatic experiences that lead them to wanting female techs? You don't. I agree that we can't say all male techs are bad (not that anyone was really saying that anyway) and we can only go on a case by case basis. In THIS case, the tech was wrong. Period.

 

[broodyc]

Sorry you had to experience this. Hope your meeting goes well xx

 

[helena]

sorry you had this experience.
sounds shifty to me.
in general i have no problem with a man doing my scans. my doc is a man. once he grimacd while doing a pap scan or smear, and that put me off a little, i changed docs for my last pregnancy, but to be fair, maybe its his concentrating face or just not a very fun park of his job!? least i know he wasnt getting a kick out of it!

hope things gets sorted and that if this tech was just very inexperienced he learns how to probe right. let us know what the outcome is, i am curious if it could be normal. i only ever had the probe angled or leant one way differently while already in.

 

[lhancock90]

I would seek a second opinion from another proffesional about whether that was normal or not. Here in the uk, males are usually chaperoned by a female in those circumstances.

 

[helena]

In Switzerland, where my doc is a man doesnt need to be chaperoned. Least my Doc isn't but maybe that is because he isn't just a tech?

 

[lhancock90]

In Switzerland, where my doc is a man doesnt need to be chaperoned. Least my Doc isn't but maybe that is because he isn't just a tech?

I'm not sure, it obviously is just a UK policy because i've had a Doctor be chaperoned when examing my chest
Its a policy you think they'd do worldwide because it protects both sides.

 

[Sarahcake]

I cant speak for other countries but its 100% mandatory in the UK, im a healthcare assistant and ive had to do it many times myself. You have to watch like a hawk at what the doctor is doing.

 

[lhancock90]

I cant speak for other countries but its 100% mandatory in the UK, im a healthcare assistant and ive had to do it many times myself. You have to watch like a hawk at what the doctor is doing.

Its the best thing really isn't it, it protects both sides. I've always felt really comfortable aswell and when having a smear etc, its nice having a woman who understands the discomfort there.

 

[Sarahcake]

I cant speak for other countries but its 100% mandatory in the UK, im a healthcare assistant and ive had to do it many times myself. You have to watch like a hawk at what the doctor is doing.

Its the best thing really isn't it, it protects both sides. I've always felt really comfortable aswell and when having a smear etc, its nice having a woman who understands the discomfort there.

It really is the best thing, its not nice having someone else stood there looking at your bits and bobs too but I would sooner take that over the uneasiness people feel (and quite rightly) when having things examined by the opposite sex.

And yeah, the comfort thing is a huge one, I had to have a breast exam late last month as I found a lump, having the female chaperone was lovely as she did a fab job of making me feel like I was in good hands.

 

[amjon]

In Switzerland, where my doc is a man doesnt need to be chaperoned. Least my Doc isn't but maybe that is because he isn't just a tech?

The US requires someone else to be there also. I don't think it's law, but an insurance requirement.

 

[HollySSmith]

Same in Canada, whenever there a male professional, they often have a female assistant. I'm not sue if it's required though, and it's for their protection too!

 

[Sweetp79]

Ok so I had my meeting with them.

He basically got a "slap on the hand" they have had a couple of meetings/lectures with him and taught him different techniques to use incase he cant find someone's olveries... so he won't make someone else feel the way I did. They said they are doubtful he did it to get amusement from it and said they think he just really didn't know how it would make a woman feel to do that?

I'm glad they lectured him and gave him better techniques to use but how can he not know that the motion he was using simulated a sex motion and not think it might make a woman very uncomfortable...?!That's the part I'm like "huh?" about....
Honestly I would have been happier if he was let go so he will never have the chance to do that again...cause I know how I felt but how can I prove his intentions.... Which is what I guess I'd have to prove for him to be fired cause the obvious motions he used During the procedure wasn't "bad enough" in their view point I guess...

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