Transvaginal ultrasound & tech being creepy or normal?

[hunni12]

I'm glad they are hearing you out and you have a chance to tell the story to them.Hopefully things can get settled and you can put this nightmare behind you

 

[Cabbage]

Oh Gosh, what a scary situation! I am afraid to go for my scan now!!! Think you did the right thing by reporting it and fair dues to the manager for taking it further. When I went for previous scans with my LO, the sonographer always told me when they were going to put the wand thingy in or out so there was no elusive aspect... there should never be any room for elusiveness - they should always explain any extensive movement and anything untoward so you are not left with the feeling you have.... shame on that man.

Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[Sweetp79]

Oh Gosh, what a scary situation! I am afraid to go for my scan now!!! Think you did the right thing by reporting it and fair dues to the manager for taking it further. When I went for previous scans with my LO, the sonographer always told me when they were going to put the wand thingy in or out so there was no elusive aspect... there should never be any room for elusiveness - they should always explain any extensive movement and anything untoward so you are not left with the feeling you have.... shame on that man.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Ya, exactly! & Since it happend it not only left me feeling like that, I've also been In that "wanting to rewind time" mode wishing I could go back and jump off the bed and demand another tech! And for a while I couldn't even have sex w DH! Cause the memory of it disturbed me and Sex reminded me of the whole ordeal. (not that sex is hugely my thing these days) but still it has ruined a few nights that I was wanting to DTD at first. But all in all denial has kept me somewhat sane through the first trimester!

 

[lizzieredrup]

I'm so sorry your having to go through this! I'm a big believer of going with your instincts and if it felt 'wrong' at the time and uneasy then I would definitely have complained like you did! Big hugs! xxx

 

[gretavon]

I think you did the right thing. If it made you feel uncomfortable then you should say something so it can be addressed. Although I don't think he did it intentionally I just think that all guys no matter how educated aren't aware or don't stop to think about the vunerable positions us women are in when it comes to these things. And to the lady who was rude... your hateful.

 

[Aidan's Mummy]

I think you're overeacting.

If you think I'm overreacting then you must have had a similar experience to me and felt normal about it, and you must know it's normal procedure to put a vaginal ultrasound probe in and out in a continuous motion similar to sex.
I've been trying to tell myself I'm over reacting since it happend and forget about it but I just couldn't with out finding out if for sure if it is or not cause it defenitly grossed me out... that's why I posted this thread... to see from a variety of people if this has ever happend to them, and I haven't seen one yet. unless you are one?

Maybe you should have contacted a professional in the field for their opinion instead of going on the internet and asking a bunch of strangers.

This is a place for support/advice and information with everything related to pregnancy/children/ttc etc. She is asking for information/advice and support excatly what this forum is designed for. There is no need to be so rude and lack empathy in your reply. You have posted 9 times and two if those are so rude and uncalled for!

OP- It doesn't sound like normal procedure, I have had 4 internal scans and this have never occured for me. They just moved it side to side and the scan took a maxium of 10 minutes x

 

[nailvarnish]

So the ultrasound manager called me and updated me that they have had a meeting with the lead tech and the sonagrapger who did the procedure, they are going to call again monday & have me go in next sometime next week to describe it in person to the lead tech cause the guy who did it is claiming he couldn't find what he was looking for with out moving it...

I find this really odd, you have complained a month later and he remembers you? When you meet the lead tech I think it would be good if you can find out a rough figure of how many ladies he has dealt with in the past month because if he's seen a few how would he remember you? Its almost like he has his excuse ready. I hope they take you seriously because what you experienced isn't normal, I had an TV with a male 2 weeks ago he did it the same technique as the female staff.

 

[Cetarari]

I've had dozens of TV scans (PCOS, IUI, IVF) and have only had a scan similar to what you've described once. The tech was inexperienced and couldn't get the angle right to see what he needed to. He was mortified and fairly flustered and kept apologising over and over. In the end he managed to get the images he needed to, but the poor bloke was frazzled. Since the tech in your case had years of experience he has no excuse, you were absolutely right to report him and if he was having trouble he should have explained or called someone else to do the scan. The fact that he did neither and kept doing what he was doing is blatantly creepy, I'm glad you decided to report him. These scans are bad enough without having to worry about creepers!

 

[alisongeen]

Good on you! After my first mc, I had a tech who was male and had to do a transvaginal scan as well, he defintely didnt move the probe in and out like what happened to you but he did not communicate at all what he was doing and inserted the probe in extremely roughly! I was in pain from how rough he was and I think with those you should only feel slight discomfort. I never reported him and I just put it down to the fact he was male, doesnt have a vagina and therefore doesnt understand. Wouldnt they have training in this though? How to insert a probe 'gently'? Anyway so glad you're taking it all the way, good on you! I hope you get to the bottom of it!

 

[Kitsch]

I think you've definitely done the right thing! I've only ever had one transvaginal ultrasound and once it was in, the lady kept it in! She moved it about from side to side but definitely not in and out. Absolutely appalling.

Even if the guy did it unknowingly, reporting it is still a very good thing because then he is alerted to the fact that this makes women very uncomfortable and he can change the way he does it.

I also agree with nailvarnish, remembering you after a month is CRAZY! I can't even remember what my customers from yesterday look like and this guy remembers some woman he scanned a month ago? Definitely odd to me. Just like the odd anomaly poster who is the sole person disagreeing with everyone else in this thread... *creepy techinician perhaps? cough cough* Either way, that poster clearly never got taught "if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all". I get that when you post in a forum you are opening yourself to criticism but that poster didn't give any constructive criticism so why bother even posting?

Keep us updated, I would really like to know how this turns out.

 

[Sweetp79]

So the ultrasound manager called me and updated me that they have had a meeting with the lead tech and the sonagrapger who did the procedure, they are going to call again monday & have me go in next sometime next week to describe it in person to the lead tech cause the guy who did it is claiming he couldn't find what he was looking for with out moving it...

I find this really odd, you have complained a month later and he remembers you? When you meet the lead tech I think it would be good if you can find out a rough figure of how many ladies he has dealt with in the past month because if he's seen a few how would he remember you? Its almost like he has his excuse ready. I hope they take you seriously because what you experienced isn't normal, I had an TV with a male 2 weeks ago he did it the same technique as the female staff.

Good point!!!

 

[Sweetp79]

Good on you! After my first mc, I had a tech who was male and had to do a transvaginal scan as well, he defintely didnt move the probe in and out like what happened to you but he did not communicate at all what he was doing and inserted the probe in extremely roughly! I was in pain from how rough he was and I think with those you should only feel slight discomfort. I never reported him and I just put it down to the fact he was male, doesnt have a vagina and therefore doesnt understand. Wouldnt they have training in this though? How to insert a probe 'gently'? Anyway so glad you're taking it all the way, good on you! I hope you get to the bottom of it!

Ouch! That should be obvious to a tech to be gentle!!!! Im sorry that happend to you!

This guy who did mine made himself seem tasteful at first by handing me the probe and telling me to put it in myself and then he ended up being the most untastefull sicko!

 

[Kitsch]

Ouch! That should be obvious to a tech to be gentle!!!! Im sorry that happend to you!

This guy who did mine made himself seem tasteful at first by handing me the probe and telling me to put it in myself and then he ended up being the most untastefull sicko!

Is that a normal thing?? To get you to put it in yourself? Seems a bit strange seeing as they're "trained" and what not. If this guy truly is a preverted creep it makes me wonder whether he got some kind of kick out of you putting it in yourself.

 

[Ginger_Bee]

So the ultrasound manager called me and updated me that they have had a meeting with the lead tech and the sonagrapger who did the procedure, they are going to call again monday & have me go in next sometime next week to describe it in person to the lead tech cause the guy who did it is claiming he couldn't find what he was looking for with out moving it...

I find this really odd, you have complained a month later and he remembers you? When you meet the lead tech I think it would be good if you can find out a rough figure of how many ladies he has dealt with in the past month because if he's seen a few how would he remember you? Its almost like he has his excuse ready. I hope they take you seriously because what you experienced isn't normal, I had an TV with a male 2 weeks ago he did it the same technique as the female staff.

I ALSO find this part extremely disturbing. What if it's not just YOU he's remembering?! What if that's his ready excuse because this guy's taken his position to use in a predatory manner.

I'm not trying to scare you, but THINK about it. He was in a room with a female nurse AND your DH doing your scan. . . and he was THAT ballsy. He's probably BEEN doing it, and you're the first to report!

Either way, I say good for you! Don't EVER let anyone push you around, make you feel uncomfortable, or guilty about your body! ESPECIALLY, when you are growing a beautiful baby inside of it. Major kudos to you. You taking action on this puts you in "Good Mama Mode" already for this LO, in my book.

(I've had 3 TVU's and NONE ever involved in & out motions. 1 was painful, but it had been expected. All 3 asked me to insert the wand myself, and always let me know what was going on before and during any action they took.)

 

[kiwii]

I've never had a transvaginal ultrasound, but from what i've been told of them, that doesn't seem appropriate to me. I can't see even if he was having trouble finding something why he would have to move it in and out that much. A couple of times ok, but many times I just don't see how that would be helping you see anything. You did the right thing reporting him. You should always feel comfortable at your appointments and if you don't, someone needs I know so they can address it. Even if he did this unknowingly or whatever, it still needs addressed. I'm glad they didn't just brush your complaint aside either, they need to take it seriously and prevent future situations like this. I'm sorry you had to go through that!

 

[Emmyjean]

Kitsch, I think that is normal - my tech (who is a lady) always has me insert myself, and then she takes it from there. I think it's to make it more comfortable for the patient - so she doesn't have to go under the sheet and root around for the opening, angle, etc.

 

[Sweetp79]

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.

 

[Kitsch]

Kitsch, I think that is normal - my tech (who is a lady) always has me insert myself, and then she takes it from there. I think it's to make it more comfortable for the patient - so she doesn't have to go under the sheet and root around for the opening, angle, etc.

Ah ok, I've only had one done and the lady did it herself so found that odd also but it makes sense.

 

[Anikonjo]

I just never let male doctors, staff, techs, etc treat me. I always make sure it's a female. If it wasn't, I'd request a female instead. I'm just not comfortable with another man besides my husband touching me, let alone doing anything around my lady parts. I have nothing against male medical professionals, but I'm just not comfortable with that. It's my body and my choice and you should go with what makes you feel comfortable.
As for the tv ultrasounds I've had, your experience doesn't match up with mine at all. You are doing right by standing up for yourself.

 

[cherrylee]

Ouch! That should be obvious to a tech to be gentle!!!! Im sorry that happend to you!

This guy who did mine made himself seem tasteful at first by handing me the probe and telling me to put it in myself and then he ended up being the most untastefull sicko!

Is that a normal thing?? To get you to put it in yourself? Seems a bit strange seeing as they're "trained" and what not. If this guy truly is a preverted creep it makes me wonder whether he got some kind of kick out of you putting it in yourself.

I've been for over a dozen TV USs and they always asked that I put it in. Only once was I given the option of the lady putting it in or me putting it in, I would prefer to do it myself actually.