"Pregnancy ultrasound"

I wanted to share my experience at the Karratha Health Campus sonography clinic, as overall I have felt quite disappointed and unsupported throughout my pregnancy scans so far.

I had unfortunately experienced a miscarriage only a few months before this pregnancy, so naturally I have been quite anxious throughout this pregnancy and have really valued reassurance and compassionate care.

At around 6 weeks pregnant, I needed an urgent ultrasound as my doctor was concerned that I could potentially be experiencing an ectopic pregnancy. My doctor contacted the hospital ahead of my arrival, and my partner also went to the sonography clinic reception to let them know I was there for an urgent scan. We were told that I needed to be triaged first, which I completely understood and did.

After being triaged, I was told by the ED doctors that the sonographers had already left and that I would not be able to have the ultrasound until the following morning. I was then asked to stay overnight in hospital so I could be monitored until the scan could be done. I wasn't seen for the ultrasound until mid-morning the next day.

Thankfully, everything was okay and it wasn't an ectopic pregnancy, but the experience was incredibly stressful, particularly given my recent miscarriage and the circumstances surrounding the urgent scan. I understand that there are staffing and procedural limitations, and I don't blame individual staff for these circumstances, but the experience was still very difficult.

I then returned for my 8-week scan, which felt extremely rushed. I asked when we would be able to hear the baby's heartbeat and was simply told, "next scan." I was also told that I couldn't have any ultrasound photos printed because there was no paper available.

By my 12-week scan, the experience was better and I didn't feel quite as rushed. However, when I asked whether we could hear the heartbeat, I was told that the Doppler used by the sonographers has a higher frequency and could potentially have adverse effects on the baby, whereas the Doppler used by the midwives isn't as powerful.

I appreciate that there are clinical reasons behind how ultrasounds and Dopplers are used, and I am not questioning the medical decisions themselves. My disappointment is more about the overall experience and the lack of reassurance and support I have felt during what has already been an emotionally difficult pregnancy.

I understand that sonography clinics are busy and that staff have procedures they need to follow. However, when someone has experienced a previous miscarriage and is attending scans during a subsequent pregnancy, a little more communication, reassurance and compassion can make a significant difference.

Overall, I have been disappointed with my experience so far and hope that feedback like this can help improve the experience for other patients going through what can already be a very anxious and vulnerable time.