Ultrasounds:From Mothering.com's website

[Pinky Tuscadero]

This article discusses some of the risks of ultrasound. It's interesting to me that most drs and mws don't mention any of this.

http://www.mothering.com/articles/pr...und-risks.html

[mom2threenurslings]

Thanks for posting the link! I was just about to do a search for articles like this on ultrasound! I won't be getting an ultrasound unless my midwives (who don't even use dopplers often!) think there may be a very good reason for getting one, which I highly doubt! Thanks again!

[chiro_kristin]

I'm glad you found that link. I refuse to have any ultrasounds as well! Actually when a lot of people ask me if I know what I'm having, I say no. Then they say, oh you want it to be a surprise? I say, "yes, and I also don't want to subject my baby to possible irreversible damage from ultrasounds just to satisfy my curiosity." Usually they say, "Oh," and then I smile and go on with regular conversation.

[MA mommy]

I did have one at 18 weeks and I don't plan on having any more. I already skipped the blood test (quad screen?) and I'm not taking the GD test. My midwife works at the birth center on hospital property. So I find that my ideas are a lot more alternative than the midwife.

[Music-mommy]

Thanks, I didn't know about that link. That's a good article.

Here are two more links

http://www.fraternet.org/naissance//...ltrasound1.htm
http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn1670

[mom2threenurslings]

I went to my midwife yesterday and she had a binder full of articles on ultrasound. I didn't get a chance to read any of them, but they were similar to the one posted (I think that one may have even been in the binder!). I was thinking of borrowing it, but figured other mamas could probably use the info more than me, since I already have my mind made up!

[RidentMama]

We had one to check for heart defects, but told the technician to make things fast, not dink around, etc. We decided to check on our baby's gender at that time, but the hospital had miscalculated our due date, scheduled the ultrasound too early, and we were unable to find out. Then told the tech that we weren't going to have more than one ultrasound. You'd have thought we were the first ones to tell her that! It was kinda weird how shocked she reacted.

I have a friend who's going in for a 3D/4D ultrasound. Mind if I forward the articles?

[Pinky Tuscadero]

It is my understanding that the 3D/4D ultrasounds are even more risky. I can't find where I read that, though. I would definitely forward that to a friend who was planning to have one.
Ultrasounds scare me. They really have no idea how it will affect us in the long term.

Suzy

[curlyfry]

Originally Posted by chiro_kristin

I'm glad you found that link. I refuse to have any ultrasounds as well! Actually when a lot of people ask me if I know what I'm having, I say no. Then they say, oh you want it to be a surprise? I say, "yes, and I also don't want to subject my baby to possible irreversible damage from ultrasounds just to satisfy my curiosity." Usually they say, "Oh," and then I smile and go on with regular conversation.

ouch.

I had to have an ultrasound at 6 wks. because of severe crampling and I'll be having one this Friday as well. Although I'm not easily offended, I'm kind of taken aback by the fact that you would imply that those of us who are having ultrasounds DO want to subject our babies to irreversible damage. Although I believe it's wonderful to be educated on these things, and this article is absolutely thought provoking, the findings on ultrasounds for the most part are inconclusive, so I just think that your choice of wording comes across a bit offensive to those of us who have chosen a different path.

[Pinky Tuscadero]

It's the routine ultrasounds that are my reason for posting this. So many people have them just to find out the sex of the baby or just because that's what their dr told them to do. The research on the safety of prenatal ultrasounds is inconclusive. That's correct. They have no idea if they are safe or not. Sometimes, though, we weigh the possible benefits against the possible risks. If, by using ultrasound, the dr can learn something about the baby that can be corrected or prevented, than I can see why someone would have one. This is not the case most of the time.
I also wonder about all of those home ultrasound kits where you can hear your baby's heartbeat anytime you want. They use doppler technology, which is thought to be more risky than ultrasound as it is a continuous sound wave rather than little bursts. Also, considering the way most household products are made I wonder if they are calibrated correctly at all. Scary to think of people using them at home everyday
Suzy

[curlyfry]

Suzy...I appreciate you posting this. There's nothing wrong with weighing the pros and cons! So, thank you.

It was just that specific statement that I had a problem with.

[Pinky Tuscadero]

The other thing that really bothers me is the issue of "informed consent". No dr or mw ever mentions these possibilities. It was very easy to find the research on the internet and some of it comes from very reliable sources. Why do we have to find this out on our own? How do they get away with doing several "routine" ultrasounds that may cause damage to our babies without even mentioning that ultrasound is not proven safe? Aren't they supposed to tell us the risks before say ok?
If anyone goes in for one soon I would love to know what the consent form says.

I didn't mean for anyone to be offended. I'm just trying to learn!
Suzy

[Lovinmylittleone1]

Originally Posted by MA mommy

I did have one at 18 weeks and I don't plan on having any more. I already skipped the blood test (quad screen?) and I'm not taking the GD test. My midwife works at the birth center on hospital property. So I find that my ideas are a lot more alternative than the midwife.

Please answer me a question, why would you not do the GD test? I can understand not doing the quad, because you would love your baby no matter the results, or the ultra sound, because of the unknown risk, but why the GD test? What could the damage be caused by this one. IS the sugar drink dangerous, is it because of the drawn tube of blood? I mean I know sometimes technology and medical advanced can be bad sometimes but sometimes for example in my opinion the GD test is. DO you know how SERIOUS it can be if you have GD and it goes untreated. The treatment of GD can be as simple as just changing your diet. I say this because I know someone that did have GD and they even changed her diet however it was not enough and her baby died of complications due to her GD. So as you can see if a person did have GD and wasnt tested for it it could even cause death in their child.
Now PLEASE don't think I am personally attacking you, because I am not and we own have our personal opinions on the choices we make as both parents and expecting parents HOWEVER I certianly don't understand how you can be consired about damage that an untra sound MIGHT CAUSE and not be considred about the damage untreated CAN CAUSE to your child.

[Pinky Tuscadero]

Because of the huge numbers of false positives, the differences in interpretation by different drs and because every test you have done increases your chances of interventions. If they decide you have gd you are much more likely to have ultrasounds to make sure the baby's not getting too big, which will lead to them wanting to do a c-section because you couldn't possibly birth a baby that big. I have seen studies that show no difference in outcome for women who have prenatal testing vs those that don't.
There are warning signs of gd. If I had any I might consider the test.

Suzy

[counterGOPI]

I Too Had To Have One Done Due To Heavy Bloody Discharge At 1 Point In My Pregnancy And I Absolutely Dont Regret It!!!!!

[Sea_Gal]

Oh Thank You!

I have been trying to find this information.
Here's another link:
http://www.midwiferytoday.com/articl...oundwagner.asp

In another artical the former president of the american ultrsaound aliance
Said that "You can't say it safe, we just don't know"

I am very much against needless, invasive, possibly damaging, procedures.
But the scarey stories I hear make we wonder if ultrasounds have value.
(Please weigh in on this)
One woman found out that the baby never developed,
one the baby was dead, another the placenta was blocking the exit,
it goes on and on. I'm just not sure which way to go on this matter.


Thank you for making this thread !

[Pinky Tuscadero]

Do a Google search for "ultrasound pregnancy outcome". Studies show no differences in the outcome for mother or baby. Just knowing there is a problem doesn't necessarily mean they can fix it. Many problems that are found by ultrasound are eventually figured out through traditional means, anyway.
Suzy

[Sea_Gal]

Wow

Thanks, that's just what I wanted to know.
You wouldn't believe how silly people have
been when I've said that I had reservations about ultasounds.
Here is the best information people gave me.
"It's not harmful, it's just not."

You are all so great!
I loved the mothering piece on this topic.
I had no idea placentas moved like that. Wow!