3D/4D Ultrasound
August 17, 2007
So my husband and I decided that it would be fun to have one of those fancy ultrasounds with the DVD and pictures and all. My OB suggested not getting one until after we’d had our “medical” ultrasound, claiming that if there is anything wrong, it’s scary to see it in full color, 3D/4D imagery. Plus, he said, something can look a lot worse than it is on those screenings. So, we took his advice, had our medical ultrasound and everything is fine.We began looking into the facilities that offer these “fun” ultrasounds, and discovered that one in Creve Coeur, MO has closed its doors. We found another one in O’Fallon, MO called Ultrasona, so we called. We got a recorded message stating that their summer hours are Thursday, 5 p.m. – 9 p.m., Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Monday, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. We left a message. No one called us back. We left another message, and no one called us back. Last night, we decided to drive to O’Fallon (about 20 minutes from our home) and “walk in.”
They were not welcoming! The woman who answers the phone told me there was “no way we can get you in before September.” Mind you — no one was there except us and two employees. I expressed some concern that it would be too late to get good pictures that late in my pregnancy (I’m almost 30 weeks now) and the woman who I assume does the screenings said “that’s not true at all.” I reminded her that her own web site says:
“Most 3D/4D ultrasounds are done between 24 and 34 weeks. Prior to 24 weeks, babies have not started putting on brown fat so they won’t have the “Gerber Baby” look. Around 27 to 28 weeks is usually considered the ideal time, because the baby does have some fat and still has plenty of room to move. However, if the mother happens to be a little more on the full-figured side, it’s better to wait until around 32 weeks. After 34 weeks, the baby begins to get a little squished and may be facing the spine, which is the position for birth.”
Then she started backpedaling a little and showing me pictures of screenings that were done after 32 weeks.
No one explained why they hadn’t called us back, or offered any apologies for the fact that we had to drive out there to get our questions answered. Then I asked them when their hours might increase to accommodate more appointments, and she said, “I don’t know.” That’s it. No other explanations, no nothing. And, of course, they told us they were the only game in town. So, we went ahead and scheduled an appointment for mid-September, and then I came home to do more research.
My husband found a Web site called 1800sonogram.com, and he emailed them for more information. They emailed us the name of a place in Belleville, IL (about an hour, maybe more in traffic from our home) called Precious Preview. I called and emailed them last night, and guess what? They tried to call me back last night, and emailed me again this morning. Wow! Customer service. They want my business.
I spoke to Jamie at Precious Preview this morning, and I have an appointment for next Tuesday evening. She walked me through the package pricing online (which is competitive with the place in O’Fallon) and told me that if I prepay for my package online, I get a 15 percent discount. Smiles all around.
Customer service makes the difference, even if you’re one of the only games in town. If Ultrasona could get me in earlier, I still wouldn’t spend my money with them after my experience there last night. I hope other St. Louis metropolitan area pregnant moms will keep Belleville in mind if they’re wanting to drop some cash on this fun “extra” of pregnancy.
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1.
3D Ultrasound, First Baby&hellip | August 24, 2007 at 2:59 am
[...] I can say is Wow!! We had our 3D Ultrasound on Tuesday night, and it was amazing. We really enjoyed the experience, and I’m so glad we did it. [...]
2.
Nicole | August 25, 2007 at 3:20 am
I formerly worked at the one that you are referring to that closed in Creve Coeur. I am not sure why he decided to. However, the one in O’Fallon is near my house, and you are SO right about her attitude. She is awful and truly has been that way even when she was in competition with us. Now that Gateway is closed I can only imagine what she will be like. (the I’m the only gig in town thing is probably exactly it).
Ugh! anyway, I recommend that anyone who wants a 3D/4D Ultrasound run - run far, far away - and from the looks of things head towards Belleville, because those pics are great and if their prices are competitive with Ms. Bitchy Ultrasona then I say its worth the drive to get better pictures (I’ve seen Ultrasona’s and i am SO glad you didn’t go there) and get better service!
By the way - your baby is absolutely beautiful!
3.
newmomoldmom | August 27, 2007 at 2:53 am
Thanks for your comments. I can’t believe that place in O’Fallon is still in business if it has a reputation for treating customers so poorly.
Now I’m on my way to check out your blog.
4.
Mrs. C | August 29, 2007 at 2:13 pm
HI! I found your blog through the Moms Blogs.
I can’t believe the nasty ol’ attitude of the lady at the ultrasound place. That the place would hire her, first off, and second KEEP somebody all *unnecessarily* snippy and rude is shocking. Just be glad she’s not going to be at your baby’s delivery LOL!
I identify with the older mom thing… I will be 38 when my next baby is born and I get the “at your age” comments from the OB office and the “aren’t you too old to still be doing this” from my parents. Children, I suppose, should only come between the ages of 24 and 29… and then only if you have been fortunate enough to stock some money away for their college and your retirement. Also, the unwritten rule is that you are allotted two. I know this isn’t communist China, but I don’t wonder if the “looks” and comments aren’t part of some socialistic family planning program LOL!
Hey, I’m on the mom’s blogs too if you want to come visit me sometime. Glad I found you!
Mrs. C
5.
newmomoldmom | August 29, 2007 at 6:01 pm
I’m glad you found me, too, and I just checked out your blog. I even “tagged” one of your links (math worksheet site) in my Delicious favorites.
I think the woman I described above isn’t an employee, but the owner of that ultrasound place. I could be wrong, but that’s the impression I got. Oh well.
I just heard about a Mom’s group for older moms called motherhoodlater.com. You should check it out. They have local groups in some places. There’s one about 30 minutes from my house, so I may try to hook up with them sometime and see if I like it.
Michelle
6.
Kelly | September 19, 2007 at 4:49 pm
Thank G-d I found you! I just got a recorded message from one place and a bounced email from the other…I am calling PP right now!
7.
Stephanie | September 28, 2007 at 3:42 pm
Wow - I’m really surprised to hear that about Ultrasona. I went there for my 3D ultrasound and had a great experience! A couple of my girlfriends had gone there and showed me all of their pictures (which were actually really good) and one of them showed their DVD at their baby shower.
The lady who did my ultrasound (who I think is the owner) was super nice to me and all of my family. She answered all of the crazy questions we had and made it a really fun thing to do. And according to my girlfriends, they had the same kind of experience or I wouldn’t have gone there. So I’m not sure what happened when you when in there, but I really do highly recommend them for anyone who wants to do this cool thing. I had a blast there!
8.
sara | March 2, 2008 at 4:52 pm
When I called Ultrasona the lady answering the phone was really nice. While don’t know if the lady working when we went in two days later was the same, she was nice as well.
My complaint was with our ultrasound tech and, in my opinion the false advertising (so to speak). Our session was supposed to be for 60 minutes and it was 25 tops! I asked her twice while she was scanning, “this is a 60 minute ultrasound right?” and her answer was yes both times. I’m confused as to why I paid $165 for a ONE HOUR service and ended up getting HALF that! It did take her 20 minutes to look back over the video clips and pictures but in my opinion, I don’t think that should have counted towards the ONE HOUR SCAN! If they tell you your ULTRASOUND session will last 60 minutes - that’s what it should be! If they have to take time after your HOUR to look at pictures, print them and copy video to DVD - that should be scheduled in on their time!
During the ultrasound our tech hardly said a word other then at first when she pointed out the sex - which I already knew and made the comment, “WOW! Your baby has REALLY BIG feet!!” Who says that?! I asked a lot of questions about the things I was seeing because I didn’t realize it would be so distorted - she had nothing to say. No reassurances or explanation for the things I thought were “brain matter” or “deformities”. I’m 32 weeks so I was in the “range” of being able to get good pictures. Every shot I got made my baby look deformed and I ended up sobbed hysterically the entire way home, from O’Fallon to down town St. Louis (long drive)!! It wasn’t until the next day when I went to see my OB that she and the radiologist explained all of the little oddities of the pictures, reassuring me that my baby looked completely normal!
I was so glad to find this forum!
Thanks for all of the comments!