The Ultrasound

I had my 20 week ultrasound scheduled for yesterday morning at 8:30am. We were looking forward to seeing the baby and to also find out if it was a boy or a girl. We arrived at the hospital (where the ultrasound was taking place) and sat down to wait. I had registered downstairs and the receptionist assured me that my paperwork would be sent up to the ultrasound tech's office.

We sat down around 8:45. A couple had come in a few minutes before, and within 5 minutes, they were called back. The baby was moving around quite a bit at this time, which made me happy, because it gives a greater chance of seeing what it is. The other couple came out, and I assumed it would only be a few minutes before I was called.

An hour passed. I was getting antsy, but I had spoken to the nurse and she didn't seem to think I had waited too long. About 10, another couple came in for an ultrasound. 30 minutes later, the tech came out. I started gathering my things, and she called the other couple. What???

I told her we had been waiting since 8:30, an hour and a half by this point. She seemed confused that there was someone else for an ultrasound and told me she did not have my paperwork. ARGHHHHH She said she'd check on it and took the other couple back. I went into where the nurse was and told her the problem and she rolled her eyes, which made me realize that this happens more often than it should.

10 minutes later, the other couple came out. We sat and waited. And waited. And waited. Finally, about 11, she came out and called my name. 2 and 1/2 hours later.

We followed her back to a little room. As I looked around, I realized one thing. I would not be able to see the screen from where I was laying. That disappointed me greatly. I got ready and lay down and she told us she would take her measurements and then turn the screen so I could see. Ok, I felt a bit better. I asked her if she would try and see if it was a boy or girl. She said she would.

She only took a few minutes to do her measurements and then turned the screen around for maybe a minute or two and showed us the baby's head, stomach, feet, etc. But, she said there was no way to tell what it was because it was laying the wrong way and was apparently sleeping. We were disappointed.

She did tell us everything looked fine, which we were thrilled about. We finally left the hospital at 11:30, happy that the baby looked great and disappointed not to find out what it was and frustrated that we had to wait so long due to an error.

I've had numerous ultrasounds in my life- probably near 50, if not more. I have NEVER lay there, not being able to see the screen. I told Paul it was like a cruel joke. If I have another ultrasound this pregnancy (which I probably will), I pray it's not in that room!