Ultrasound, to have or not to have??

[mommy2zander]

I'm wondering what all you wonderful mamas are doing reguarding ultrasound/finding out sex of baby... have any of you regreted your past decisions reguarding this stuff??

We have our ultrasound appointment already made with the OB for next week, but have decided to see a MW and have a homebirth. She said it's up to us if we still want to have the ultrasound... We were basically only having it because our OB schedules them for all his patients around 20 weeks...

Seems as though the natural thing to do would be just leave the baby be... it is what I always imagined I'd do...

But on the other hand it would be fun to see and have the pictures, and economical to know boy/girl to clearance shop right now for next winter...

Wanta share your thoughts either way with me?? tia...

jennifer
mommy to baby on the way 5/26

[TurboClaudia]

Not planning on finding out the sex -- seems like opening a present before the big day. of course, this is coming from a woman who NEEDS to know the endings of movies before I will go see them at the theater (mostly because if I don't, I get too excited and bite my nails off until my fingers hurt)

And unless we need an ultrasound for some diagnostic reason (to determine the cause of bleeding, pattern of slow growth, etc.) we are not planning on having one. They are quite overused and even their use as a diagnostic tool is questionable depending on who you talk to. I don't need to see my baby on an ultrasound screen to know they are growing inside my belly.

just my thoughts...

--claudia
mama-to-be in late spring 2004!

p.s. We are working with homebirth midwives and all testing is offered on an informed choice basis.

[Queen of Cups]

I'm seeing a wonderful CNM who has asked about all tests so far (giving me the option to decline), and we decided to go for the ultrasounds. We had one at six weeks to rule out ectopic - I have endo so it was a concern. And, we had one a couple of weeks ago. It was amazing... To see my baby kicking, sucking its thumb, working its mouth, stretching... and all at only 18 weeks! My father-in-law actually cried when he saw the baby's profile! At a fundraising auction at the museum where I work I bought a 3-D ultrasound package. I wasn't planning on it originally, but when my DH saw some sample 3-D pics he decided he really, really, really wanted us to have one. So, I compromised, and now I can't wait either!

We are being very specific and telling the u/s techs that we DO NOT want to know the gender. So far, the one at the 18 week u/s thought it was great not to find out and the 3-D tech I spoke with on the phone loved my reasoning so much she asked if she could quote me on it! I had explained to her, "One of my friends has had four babies. When she was preggers with her 3rd, I asked her if she was finding out the gender. Her reply was, 'No! It makes you push harder if you don't know!'"

[love2all]

This is baby #3 for us and we have never had an u/s. I feel that they are a wonderful tool if/when a risk may be involved and mama wants to be reassured that all is well. For myself, I KNOW that baby is growing and thriving and I do not need to have that confirmed by an u/s. Also we feel that why ruin the big surprize?? Once the sex of the baby is told, what can we do about it? We sure cannot change things!! I dress my baby in gender nuetral clothing so shopping is not an issue for us. We too are hbs and feel it is more natural to only do what is absolutely necessary. Good luck whatever you choose--- you do know in your heart what is right for your family. peace--

[Artisan]

I didn't vote because I didn't like the options. :LOL

I had one initially for dating purposes (my midwife can only deliver up to 42 weeks, so it was important to me to have an accurate date). The u/s didn't reveal anything other than an empty gestational sac, so I had to have another one to confirm (we did see the baby with a beating heart). And I will probably have another one around 20 weeks, but not just "for fun".

I respect every woman's right to choose regarding u/s. Some people don't feel comfortable with them, and that is fine with me. I, on the other hand, want to know if my baby has any significant abnormalities that would show up with an u/s. So for me, it's more than fun. (Although it is fun to see the baby.)

[mamaroni]

I had one (20 week diagnostic) for each pregnancy. For the first 2, we did not find out the sex. This time, we did. It will be our last (planned) pg, and we already have a dd and a ds, and just thought it would be fun to know this time (and it is, for us!).

For us, the benefit of having one diagnostic u/s at 20 weeks outweighed any potential risk factors of u/s. We also had some good friends that had a baby's kidney problem diagnosed in utero, and the info was very helpful to them at birth.

And yes, it IS fun to see the baby on the screen! OTOH, I completely agree with not having one.

Good luck!

[USAmma]

In my case we have a family history of cleft lips, my dd has mild spina bifida, and my brother had a rare genetic syndrome. So there was no question that we were going to have an u/s. I would have carried the baby to term no matter what but I wanted to know what we were dealing with. Turns out baby appears to be fine. Then at 23 weeks I had preterm labor and at 25 weeks was not measuring on track anymore. So had an u/s to check baby's growth. Again she was fine, just jammed low into frank breech position, but the u/s really eased my mind.

Darshani

[Wildcrafter]

I was told that I was a high risk pregancy just because I was over 35 and they wanted to do ultrasounds every month. After the first one I told them I would only do one more later in the pregnancy and that's what I did. Knowing what I know now, I would not have had any.

Even though we had the u/s, we still did not find out the sex of our child until the birth. It added to the excitement, I thought.

Also, both times of the ultrasound, the babe in my womb tried constantly to move away from the ultrasound equip, a sign to me that it is very uncomfortable to be blasted with the sound. Even the doppler is a form of ultra sound and I feel is used way too much. Too invasive imo.

[cumulus]

There was a United Nations physician on the radio the other day saying something about how there have been no long term tests on the effects fetal ultrasound might have on human beings when they grow up. He compared the history of ultrasound to that of the x-ray which was used very freely decades ago because they were untested (long term) and thought to be harmless.

[KKmama]

I had a nuchal u/s at which point a problem with one of my ovaries was discovered (multiple cysts). I've had 3 more u/s since then, mainly to monitor the ovary. I have another one tomorrow, and I imagine I'll have one ~every 4 weeks till the end. I'm fine with them focusing on the ovary... there was a concern about cancer at one point, and I even had surgery scheduled. Now we just have to make sure the cysts are not growing anymore and that the blood supply to the ovary is fine.

[IdentityCrisisMama]

My reason for having an ultrasound was not on the list. We had the first one because my midwives were concerned that my conception date was off by over a month. In this case, a false due date may have complicated my homebirth if I went considerably over the (false) due date. That ultrasound led to another because the tec found evidence of placenta previa and then I had a THIRD because my midwives were having a hard time figuring out the position of the baby when I was post-due.

I didn’t find out the sex and next time will make a bigger effort to avoid the procedure.

BUT, if I have an ultrasound with another child I would consider finding out the sex.
For me, I think it would help with bonding and when my daughter was born, I could have cared less what the sex was. I thought not knowing would add this big element of “surprise” to the birth…but the birth alone was more than enough of a surprise! LOL!

Edited to add: I see you are a new mama! Congrats!

[naturegirl]

I think there are too many unknowns about ultrasound and unless the results significantly changed the management of the pregnancy I would not get one. I believe it should be used, as many of the mothers have already suggested, as a tool when there are possible complications. The studies about adverse effects are out there and some are pretty scary. If I had to get one I would want to wait until 20 weeks or later. I don't think it is a tool that should be taken lightly.

[Tanibani]

I agree with TurboClaudia.

I'm not planning on having one this time. I have NO interest in finding out the sex. Last time I was so eager to know. I want to be surprised this time. I also don't "need" a photo, much less a 3D one. Besides, regular ultrasounds are so black and grainy... it's hard to "enjoy." And the 3D ones are just plain creepy - to me.

Last time I had one (went along with everything without questions) and they said it was to check that everything was developing properly. That sounded fine to me.

Regrets? None really. They did make a video tape of it for us and perhaps the only regret was that PERHAPS the technician (who was very well regarded by the OB and was great) spent a wee bit too much time peeking. I don't think she did... but MAYBE she did because she was videotaping. I don't know.

So perhaps one option is... OK... if you need it... look, but don't linger too long just in case there ARE issues with unknown side-effects.

Anyway, this time, unless there is a medical NEED for it (or history like Darshani's case where there is concern) then sure. But I don't see that now.

I was talking to my SIL and she did not have one 13 yrs ago for her son. Back then, it was not "routine" (and only recommended under certain cases) the way it is today. Interesting.

[Sarah'sMama]

I voted yes, but I have one more than for the fun of it. I have a family history of Spina Bifida, so I wanted to make sure my lil' nugget's spine appeared to be fine. If there was any chance of SB, I would elect for a c/s, because my sister was born vaginally and did have SB and hydrocephalus, which caused her more damage because of the pressure of coming through the birth canal. I would carry the baby no matter what, I just feel more in control if I'm prepared for what is going on with my child. So to me the benefits far outweigh the risks of u/s. And yeah, its so fun to see them on the screen.

[mommy2twinboys]

I had alot of ultrasounds with my boys, almost every time we went to the OB. It was amazing to me to see the boys grow and move inside me. I liked having them frequently because I am a bit of a worrier and it was nice to hear them say everything looks real good. It put my mind at ease. It made me feel closer to the boys. We never found out the sex. DH didnt want to know. It is kinda cool to the have photos from before they were born too!

[SamuraiEarthMama]

The reports (both scientific and anecdotal from friends) that babies become active and agitated during the procedure have convinced me that there's something else going on that we don't have a handle on yet.

Also, I have read reports that very early ultrasounds (now used to diagnose pregnancy! sheesh!) have caused tiny bubbles (cavitation) in cardiac cells of chicks. I think it's the Heisenberg Principle that says you cannot observe a situation without changing it? Well, unless there's something like bleeding or fetal distress, I don't want to be changing my baby's situation!

I did have diagnostic u/s on two of my babies due to midwives thinking I was carrying twins, but each time there was only one. Never looked at the sex... I think it's a privilege to meet your baby when it arrives, all at once. But I'm one of those wierdos that think you should meet your baby before you pick out a name for him, too.

So I'd add another choice on your list: Only in a medical emergency, otherwise leave well enough alone!

Katje

[TurboClaudia]

Originally posted by klsabin
But I'm one of those wierdos that think you should meet your baby before you pick out a name for him, too.

Katje: me too me too!!! It took us about a week to name our cat when she chose us as her humans 4 years ago (i.e. showed up on our doorstep and meowed continuously for 15 minutes until we paid attention to her!) Although if it's a girl, the name will probably end in -a or -ia - or -ea and if it's a boy, we have a family name in mind for a first name or middle name...

warmly,
claudia

[Jennifer H]

I chose option four, but I would have liked an option five.

I don't have the u/s "just for fun" or "just to find out the gender", I have one for basic diagnostics and if we happen to be able to tell the gender we want to know. After much research about u/s safety I feel confident that an occasional u/s is not harmful.

Having worked in L&D and NICU (as a touchy feely social worker), my greatest fear is having my baby wisked off for some unknown problem, having my dh go with the baby and me laying in my bed all alone, not able to go to the nursery (still have a placenta to deliver, which might take awhile) and nobody telling me if my baby is going to live or die. If, by u/s I know that there may be a repairable problem then I am prepared for the baby leaving the room. If we know the baby has spina bifida, we can schedule a c-section. If I know there is an anomoly that is incompatible with life I can say, "Don't take her. We want her to be with us for whatever moments of life she has."

For me, I think it would help with bonding and when my daughter was born, I could have cared less what the sex was. I thought not knowing would add this big element of “surprise” to the birth…but the birth alone was more than enough of a surprise! LOL!

This is my feeling exactly. I loved finding out the gender at the u/s. Just me and dh with the tech as we learn that we have another son or a daughter. It's just as much of a surprise as it would be at birth, but then at the birth we can focus on all of the other surprises.

At the birth, I'm tired, I'm hurting, still cramping and waiting an eternity for that blessed placenta to come out, trying to get a baby to latch on to my breast. We still had so many "surprises" the gender was the least of it. We could focus on the fact that Lars had this amazing blonde hair and a big ol' dimple in his chin just like my dh and he cried real tears from the minute he was born.

[Sustainer]

Never had one, never will.

http://www.mothering.com/11-0-0/html...finition.shtml

http://www.mothering.com/11-0-0/html...und-risk.shtml

http://mothering.com/discussions/sho...hreadid=103489

http://mothering.com/discussions/sho...hreadid=103290

[dharmama]

Couldn't vote...none of the choices fit for me.

We are having our first (and hopefully only) u/s on Wednesday (at 18 weeks). We opted to have an anatomical survey. I have a family history of spina bifida...I would like very much to see our baby's spine and make sure it is developing properly.

We would like very much to know our baby's gender but I have been meditating and talking to the baby and letting the baby know that it's his/her choice...if s/he prefers not to make the information available we are fine with that. :LOL

It's funny...our decision to have and u/s and especially to find out the gender has been largely criticized by friends, some of my yoga students, co-workers and a few random people in the grocery store who just like to spout of their opinion apparently. :

I was talking to my mom about it and she said...well Erin...I think people are just really surprised. It doesn't seem to "fit" with you (yoga teacher, doula) and your cloth diapering, co-sleeping etc.

I've been thinking about that a lot and I think it just goes to show that there is no exact formula for AP or natural parenting. We are making an informed decision that feels like the best decision for us and our baby....just as many of you - who do not have u/s - are making the decision that feels best for you and your baby.

As far as finding out the gender...we would like to experience future pregnancies not knowing the gender...but for this pregnancy...we would REALLY like to know (and despite some of my co-workers criticism...it's not about wanting to buy gender-specific "stuff" or making a girly or boyish nursery 'cause we're not doin' that). We feel SO strongly that we are having a girl...and nearly EVERYONE who has expressed an opinion has said it's a girl...I've almost slipped into taking it as a given. If we are in fact having a boy...we wil be thrilled...but I need to do a little re-programming of my thinking.

Anyway...sorry to be so wordy.

~Erin