Laying on my back for u/s - yikes!!!

We had our peri appt. today and as the tech was almost done scanning BABY B I had a terrible feeling wash over me. I thought it would pass but after a minute it only got worse. I blurted out that I thought I was going to be sick and asked if that was normal. The tech immediatly sat me up and told me not to worry. At that point I realized what was happening which calmed me down but did not make the symptoms go away. I was dripping in sweat and thought for sure I was going to vomit/pass out any minute. I was trying to ask for water but could not hear myself talk or feel my feet.

After a couple of minutes it passed and I was left a little nauseaus with a headache. Wow - they are not kidding when they say you shouldn't lie on your back for too long. I have truly never felt anything like that before in my life. That was really crazy and I NEVER want to feel that way again. I may add some pillows to my sleeping routine!

Otherwise,our appointment was great and the babies (24wks) are measuring 1 lb. 7 oz. (girl) and 1 lb. 9 oz. (boy). No wonder I have been feeling someone jab me in the crotch as her head loves to nestle in right by my cervix. I have also felt pain in my right rib - probably due to the fact that he has his little bum stuffed right in there. They are doing great and I am thrilled to be at this milestone (24wks.) and onto the next.

My cervix is around 4.6 and only down to 4.2 with pressure so I was told continue on with my daily walks and all is well until next time - 4 more weeks. I kind of wish they would see me sooner but I guess there is no reason for it.

Thanks for all of your support and advice!
Amy

 

We had our peri appt. today and as the tech was almost done scanning BABY B I had a terrible feeling wash over me. I thought it would pass but after a minute it only got worse. I blurted out that I thought I was going to be sick and asked if that was normal. The tech immediatly sat me up and told me not to worry. At that point I realized what was happening which calmed me down but did not make the symptoms go away. I was dripping in sweat and thought for sure I was going to vomit/pass out any minute. I was trying to ask for water but could not hear myself talk or feel my feet.

After a couple of minutes it passed and I was left a little nauseaus with a headache. Wow - they are not kidding when they say you shouldn't lie on your back for too long. I have truly never felt anything like that before in my life. That was really crazy and I NEVER want to feel that way again. I may add some pillows to my sleeping routine!

Otherwise,our appointment was great and the babies (24wks) are measuring 1 lb. 7 oz. (girl) and 1 lb. 9 oz. (boy). No wonder I have been feeling someone jab me in the crotch as her head loves to nestle in right by my cervix. I have also felt pain in my right rib - probably due to the fact that he has his little bum stuffed right in there. They are doing great and I am thrilled to be at this milestone (24wks.) and onto the next.

My cervix is around 4.6 and only down to 4.2 with pressure so I was told continue on with my daily walks and all is well until next time - 4 more weeks. I kind of wish they would see me sooner but I guess there is no reason for it.

Thanks for all of your support and advice!
Amy

 

Sounds like you and the babies are doing great! Next time just make sure you tell whoever does the U/S you need to lie on your side, I started feeling really dizzy and sick at my last one too and was able to lie on each side and she did the scan just fine and it was much better.


Alyson

 

Glad to hear the babies are doing well!

The only time I ever felt the least bit sick during my pregnancy was at my u/s. I didn't realize it was normal and I just kept quiet about it. I guess the tech could tell something was up and she asked me if I was ok. I said no. She said that was perfectly normal and let me roll to my side. She was able to continue the u/s although she did tell me to let her know when I felt better because there were a few things she needed to get while I was laying on my back. Sorry to hear it happened to you too but definitely know it is normal and never keep it from the tech, they will completely understand!

 

I could not STAND having the level II u/s because I would be miserably uncomfortable like that. Sorry you had such a stinky time, but that is GREAT that everything looks good!!!!

 

So sorry you had to experience that. It happens to me every time I go in for a growth scan. In fact, when pregnant with my daughter, I threw up during an NST. My biggest fear was that during my c/s, I would vomit during the surgery. Sure enough, when they lay me flat, I immediately felt that feeling wash over me. Luckily, the anesthesiologist gave me something immediately to make that feeling go away. (((hugs))) It sometimes helps to turn to your side so that all the pressure isn't on the vena cava, which causes this feeling.

quote:

"Lying on your back In your second and third trimesters, your growing uterus can slow the circulation in your legs by compressing the inferior vena cava (the large vein that returns blood from the lower half of the body to the heart) and the pelvic veins.

Lying flat on your back can make this problem worse. In fact, about 8 percent of pregnant women in their second and third trimesters develop a condition called supine hypotensive syndrome: When they lie on their back, their heart rate increases, their blood pressure drops, and they feel anxious, lightheaded, and nauseated until they shift their position.

To avoid this problem, lie on your side instead of flat on your back. Either side is better than your back, although the left side is best. A pillow placed behind you or under your hip can help you stay on your side  or at least tilted enough to keep your uterus from compressing the vena cava."

 

I always do my u/s on my side. I was petrified when that feeling washed over me for the first time. Being on my side has never been a problem for my u/s tech. I have read that it puts pressure on some vein, similar to what someone above said. I was worried b/c I have to have a c-section, but my OB said that they put some kind of wedge thing under you to keep you from being completely on your back during surgery.

 

Sorry that happened! I've also heard it's good to sometimes lay on your side if you start to feel that way. At the peri's, the table I lay on is soft and has a "cushion" under my knees so they're kind of elevated. Maybe that helps too? I was wondering...what do you mean about your cervix measurement "with pressure"? Do they push down on your uterus to see if your cervix goes down or something?

Sounds like your babies are doing great!!

 

Sorry for the awful experience, but great news on the u/s. That is a huge milestone - and you will be surprised, I think, at how quickly the next four weeks go by!

 

Raneysmama -

yes, they either push on my uterus or have me push from inside to check the cervix as well. I believe this mimicks how your cervix responds to pressure. It always shortens a bit when they do this but that is to be expected - as long as it doesn't shorten too much !

Have a great day!
Amy