[GenWhy]

This is probably going to be long please bear with me. I'm distraught at the moment so please no nasty comments.

I had a miscarriage Sep 1 possibly due to high blood sugar and low lying baby. I fell pregnant again straight away and was sent for a dating ultrasound 2 days ago. As soon as the sonographer looked at the screen she kept repeating things like oh no, this is bad, baby is in the wrong spot, this baby will need to be terminated etc. my DH and I were extremely upset and asked what was wrong. Firstly she told us I had a cervical pregnancy and that I needed to get a Dr referral for a termination as the baby would die when it grew as the sac would burst. Then when I went out of the room she told DH again it was a bad pregnancy. She repeatedly questioned me about my birthing history and asked how many abortions I had had. I told her none and she just kept asking. She didn't measure baby and turned the screen off so we couldn't see anything. We opted to wait for the report to take to our GP as we had seen a heart beat and couldn't believe it were true. The report showed baby was 6 weeks, heart beat 110bpm but a bold line at bottom stated although the baby was alive it wasn't a viable pregnancy as it had implanted in my caesarean scar and was an ectopic scar pregnancy. We questioned the sonographer as this was different to what she had originally said. She told us if I started bleeding I had to call an ambulance as I would rupture and bleed to death. This was early on in the morning and we were understandably distraught.

I tried to get into my GP but he had no appt so reception arranged for me to go in after 8pm. My Dr explained I'd need to terminate and sent through a referral to the maternity hospital. We arrived at the hospital at 10am as directed. A very long night of feeling overwhelmed and beside myself. Hugely panicked. The hospital were very nice but explained the procedure etc. before I was going in to surgery they said they needed to do an internal exam. I would usually say no as I'm worried about risk of bleeding etc. but since the baby was being terminated I agreed. The internal really hurt and I told the Dr it was painful. She had to use cotton buds to wipe all the mucous plug away to check my cervix etc. very painful. Then the consultant came in to do an internal to check the position ready for surgery.

Consultant was getting very funny and it looked like something was up. She called in the head sonographer and they kept checking and discussing things. After 25 mins with internal ultrasound in, she informs us the sonographer has messed up. No problems with the baby at all and not even near my scar. Of course we were extremely happy and were sent home where we told our immediate family. We were just so excited. Last night I started to bleed very heavily. Lots of bright red blood and clots. I've soaked 2 pads overnight but no cramps just lower back pain. Ive woken up this morning with a huge clot passing but couldn't check if it looked like the sac. I'm devastated and think I'm miscarrying. I think the internal may have caused it all because the sonographer misdiagnosed.

I am going in to the hospital today - unfortunately I have to sort my kids out first as DH has flown back to work as he thought all was ok now. I'm just so angey at the sonographer - I know it's not the hospital's fault since they were doing what they could with the info they had.

What can I do here? Should I make a complaint to the ultrasound place or somewhere else? It's so unfair and I'm angry she had us stressed out. Thanks for any advice.

[HollyOllyOxenfre...]

I'm so sorry OP

I don't have any experience with this sort of situation, but I would definitely be complaining to the manager of the ultrasound place. If it were me I'd also be questioning why there wasn't a second ultrasound done at the hospital before an internal to be sure the original was correct, but as I said I haven't been in this position so I'm not sure what standard procedure would be.

Are you able to get records from the hospital confirming what they told you regarding no issues with the scar?

[Eirinn]

I am so sorry you are going through this, OP. At the very least you should be complaining to the ultrasound place for giving you such a diagnosis with no internal ultrasound to confirm.

[JustBeige]

I'm so sorry this has happened to you. Yes absolutely complain to the ultrasound place. The sonographer was way out of line with all her comments. She should have gone and gotten a doctor immediately to look at the pictures. Hell they arent even supposed to tell you what sex your baby is. If you do a NT scan they arent meant to say anything other that "yes we got a good shot of the area, we will let you know the results in a day or two"

Your GP is also, if not held accountable, then needs to be advised. I guess they just read the letter, but it should be a warning to them to actually look at the pictures also.

Do you have any support people around you while your DH is away?

[Juju38]

Oh I am so sorry this is happening to you. You have been through so much.

I would most definitely complain to the ultrasound clinic and I would ask your doctor to complain also. That sonographer was way out of line and should have left it to the doctor to describe what was found.

During my last pregnancy, at my growth scan, the sonograoher told me my baby was 'off the charts huge' and I would be lucky to get away with 'just a prolapse and a 3rd degree tear'. I was utterly horrified and stressed beyond belief. Both I and my OB complained to the clinic as it is up to doctors to diagnose and talk to their patients, not sonographers. It took a lot of coaxing from my OB for me to attempt a vaginal birth after that, she completely depleted my confidence.

Take care of yourself.

[little lion]

That's awful. I'm sorry you had such a terrible experience. I would definitely complain to the ultrasound place! I think it is sad the hospital didn't do another scan to double check but I guess they shouldn't expect the sonographer to have made such a grave error.

[adl]

I am really very sorry that you are going through this, I agree with PP but perhaps try and get to speak to the Head OB at the hospital, ring and speak to the management that you need to see someone urgently after a treatment last night , explain what has happened.

So at least you can find out what is happening now,

There will be an OB specialist on call at there hopefully and they can see you straight away and hopefully explain what is /or has happened.

[little lion]

I am really very sorry that you are going through this, I agree with PP but perhaps try and get to speak to the Head OB at the hospital, ring and speak to the management that you need to see someone urgently after a treatment last night , explain what has happened.

So at least you can find out what is happening now,

There will be an OB specialist on call at there hopefully and they can see you straight away and hopefully explain what is /or has happened.

Yes I think this is a good first step. Look after yourself at this difficult time.

[november lily]

I agree with pp that you should speak to ob to get a clear explanation on what has happened. I think you should absolutely complain about the sonographer - it is my understanding that they are not supposed to give any sort of diagnosis, just report the facts and give these to the doctors. I believe her comments and questions about abortion are highly inappropriate and unprofessional.

I am so sorry for your loss and the horrible situation that you have gone through.

[AvadaKedavra]

Your GP is also, if not held accountable, then needs to be advised. I guess they just read the letter, but it should be a warning to them to actually look at the pictures also.

So sorry about all this!

Unfortunately an ultrasound is different to X rays and CT scans etc. It's a real time test; the GP wouldn't have known what he or she was looking at if they ha looked at the pictures, so the technicians report is all they can go by. If a doctor is to interpret the ultrasound images, they have to be there while the ultrasound is done.

For what it's worth, if you are miscarrying, it is highly unlikely the internal caused it. And internal ultrasound is no riskier than sex.

What an internal CAN cause is bleeding from te cervix, and I hope this is all it is. This can be quite normal, and is in no way problematic for the continuation of the pregnancy.

This doesn't excuse the ultrasonographers behaviour. Of course people make mistakes, but it sounds like she was quite unprofessional as well in her communication with you. This is complaint-worthy.