"Lack of dignity at obstetric ultrasound"

Two points I would like to feedback:

I attended the Obstetrics ultrasound clinic on level 7 in Ninewells hospital. The sonographer introduced themselves and stated this was a scan just for placenta placement. I advised my midwife had also added on a growth scan to this appointment. The sonographer seemed frustrated with this and asked me why this had been added.

When I advised the reason given to be by my midwife was because my last baby was considered "big" and was delivered early they told me this was not an indication for a growth scan, however they would carry it out today.

I myself am a registered nurse and although I understand that referrals made which may not be required can be frustrating in terms of appointment time scheduled etc, I didn't request the growth scan personally and felt this frustration should have been fed back to the midwifery team and not directed at me being the patient.

I experienced this when I had my last baby and was told that I required a growth scan and I got the same reaction from a different member of the team within this department.

The second point: I required an internal scan for the placenta check which I was previously told at my 20 weeks scan I would possibly need due to placenta position which I was happy to do. I was asked to undress from the waist down behind a very small area of curtain and to "wrap" 2 small sheets of blue roll round me when coming back through the curtain to keep myself covered. The sonographer even stated "there's extra paper to cover with but it has all been torn into small squares".

Bearing in mind the paper I was given was too small for me to cover myself with, I then had to walk across to the bed uncovered at the back (in front of the sonographer and the chaperone). On turning round to get onto the bed (with the chaperone behind me) I was completely exposed at the back and the small amount of blue roll I did have ripped as I had to get into position.

The sonographer then commented: "try to keep yourself covered, but that paper isn't that great". After the placenta check was done, again I had to walk across the room completely exposed back to the curtain area as the roll had now torn due to movement on the bed during the check and wasn't covering anything.

I would just like to add that when you walk into this room, there is a square area at the door with a curtain that can be pulled across so that during an examination anyone entering the door would walk into this area first and then past the curtain to prevent the patient being exposed during their exam. The area I was asked to undress/redress in was a very small curtained area to the right side of this which contained a trolley and a chair.

I would have felt it more appropriate for the sonographer and the chaperone to stand behind the curtain at the door of the room, allow me to have time and more space to get undressed, onto the bed and cover myself over to maintain my dignity and then enter once I stated I was ready. I truly felt embarrassed with the tiny amount of paper I was given in the first place and then walking across the room to and from the bed exposed, whilst having 2 members of staff watch me.

I hope this feedback would encourage a different approach for any further patients having these scans so that patients can remain comfortable and dignified throughout their appointment.