Sonogram before a homebirth

[phathui5]

I'm starting to think that I would feel better about having the baby at home if I had an ultrasound to make sure everything is okay. I didn't do them with my last two, who I had at a birth center.

Would it make sense to have a sonogram? Did anyone else do it because they were having the baby at home?

[MsBlack]

As a midwife, I try to inform clients about sono and not get in their way if they want them--but I never recommend them without good reason. It is an unproven technology (as to its longterm risks) that often creates only more confusion and doubts rather than laying those to rest! It can be inaccurate in almost everything it tries to measure. Dates and size estimations can't be trusted, things can be 'seen' that aren't really there (or are not as bad as suspected), things can remain unseen that one hoped to see in advance.

What is it you are hoping to 'see' in this case? Are there things you fear might be 'wrong' somehow, that a sono could clarify? Sono is not a magic bullet...it is just a view of your baby that may or may not be read accurately. It can inspire needless fear in many ways, and certainly undermines our trust in a normal process--women have started to feel that they don't have the 'pregnancy/birth seal of approval' without one! But there is NO reason for a routine sono, and many reasons to avoid them if there are no suspicions of problems. Somewhat like a vag exam before or during labor, sonos can provide info that is subject to change at a moment's notice--position, for instance.

You certainly have the right to choose, and 'should' do what you feel best doing. I just caution you not to put too much faith in u/s...if you have fears about birth, then work directly with your fears--that will help you far more, IMHO, than a sono will!

best with your homebirth!

[lyttlewon]

I didn't have one in relationship to the homebirth. DH has a potentially genetic issue of only being born with one kidney, he and his great grandfather only had one, so I wanted to check on the kidneys. We have had some questionable results of enlarged kidneys so I have had a couple of follow ups. They are not perfect so it is important to not put too much faith in them. They can be a useful tool when needed just like every other birth intervention.

[koru]

we weren't intending on having an ultrasound but too many people started scaring my husband with funky birth stories & i agreed to have one to ease his mind. i suppose it took some questions out of my own mind, too. i was relieved to know my placenta was in good position & that Baby's heart looked good. if something were "wrong" that required immediate surgery, we wanted to know. for us, the ultrasound removed some fear that might've gotten in the way of our homebirth.

[Gray's Mommy]

We ended up with 3 sonos...two for medical reasons & 1 to confirm pg (i had a dreadfully long miscarriage before this pregnancy).

[AugustLia23]

I did with my fist homebirth and with this one too. I totally agree that it's not all informatiuve and definitely not necessary without a good solid reason behind it, but they just make me feel a bit more comfortable about birthing away from a medical center. If there is anything that could be taken care of at a hospital, that they could see on the U/S, I am okay with it. Does that guarantee a good outcome? No, but it doesn't hurt them either. I am having an unassisted birth though, and this is another bit of security in my plan.

The safety of u/s hasn't been proven safe, but it also hasn't been proven dangerous.

[alegna]

I don't think it makes any sense. If you want one- then okay, but don't claim it's for safety.

-Angela

[jessitron]

Like MsBlack said, there are risks to having an ultrasound too. I don't mean any possible safety issue with the procedure itself -- I mean they could see something that they THINK will cause a problem. There are plenty of false positives. This can stress you out, and even cause you to miss out on your home birth for no reason.

The chances of learning anything really useful are so miniscule that I wouldn't want one.

We're doing one this time just to go along with the OB, whom I'm seeing just because midwifery is illegal here so transfers are awkward if I don't walk the line and do parallel care.

If you do have one, 25 weeks is a better time than 20. 20 is only preferable if you would consider termination depending on the results.

[georgia]

I don't think anyone can really judge what does or doesn't make sense for someone Personally, I avoid U/S. Here are some interesting Mothering articles about U/S:

Definition

Weighing the Risks

One reason I choose to birth at home is to avoid medical intervention if I don't have an urgent medical need. I simply do not believe that birth is a medical event, and I have no need for technology. (Yes, I am grateful for this same technology when the need arises ) There is no guarantee of a "good" HB outcome nor is there any type of risk reduction with U/S as far as I'm concerned. For me, birthing at home is just a whole different mindset, and I didn't feel any need for reassurance that, yep, there's a baby in there

We're fortunate to live in a time of incredible access to technology. If used judiciously, which I assume all mothers do, some technology can improve outcomes/experiences/procedures. Do the potential risks outweigh getting to see your baby before birth? You're the only one who knows the answer to your question whether or not an U/S makes sense. Best wishes for a beautiful birth

[Meredith&Alexander]

I had an US each time to rule out major malformations and placenta previa. I was reassured both times, and would do it again.

[pamamidwife]

I think as a whole we place alot of trust on ultrasounds. I agree with previous posters that the biggest risk is unnecessary worry over something normal but viewed as a "possible problem".

Minute problems are rarely detected with ultrasound. Major malformations are - but what will you do with the information?

It's a very personal choice. Some women feel that it eases their mind about planning a homebirth and certainly this peace of mind is valuable.

Good luck with your choice!

[Acacia]

I am looking for someone to do one on me for the same reasons you have stated. I feel like it will ease my mind with my homebirth plans to have one. I want to know placenta placement...heck..if I have previa then I would rather find a doc I like early on rather than going into the hospital at the last minute knowing I have to have a section with some doc I have never met. I also think that eventhough I wouldn't consider terminating, I would like to know if something was wrong with the baby. I would be able to better prepare myself mentally for what would be coming. If it eases your mind then have it done! I know that for me personally it will help ease fears and will make my homebirth much smoother emotionally for me.

[momto l&a]

IF I had a really good reason to have one than I would consider getting one.

This birth that we are waiting any day for is our 4th and we have never had a u/s.

It seems to me from all I hear and read they are mostly stress creators.

[lyttlewon]

Originally Posted by momto l&a

IF I had a really good reason to have one than I would consider getting one.

This birth that we are waiting any day for is our 4th and we have never had a u/s.

It seems to me from all I hear and read they are mostly stress creators.

I do agree with this. Even though a "potential problem" was found in mine I wonder if it is really a problem at all. I struggle with getting another because I don't want to plant seeds of doubt. Sometimes when you think you had logical reasons for doing one they don't always end up feeling that way.

[huggerwocky]

I had an ultrasound early on because of bleeding and one at 20 weeks, if there ar eno complications I'd always get the 20 week ultrasound and that's it.

[cornpicker]

I had one, but not because I was having a homebirth. I didn't feel strongly either way, and my MW said it was totally up to us. DH really really really really really wanted to do it, so I said ok. It was neat to see the baby, but really the tech was a jerk and it just made me so happy we're planning a homebirth (the u/s took place in the back up hospital).

[roxyrox]

I think the 20 week ultrasound is important, more so if you are planning a homebirth. There are a few things that can flag up on it. It is your choice, but personally I would have one scan at 20 weeks always.x x

[darsmama]

I always have a u/s and have had 3 HB. It helps soothe my husband and I's overactive imagination.

[Mahre]

I had my first at home and look forward to another homebirth in November. My family doctor is willing to order things as needed. I had an ultrasound with my first and plan on doing it again at around 20 weeks. I like the idea of knowing that each part is okay. I believe that ultrasounds definately have errors and mistakes, but it is comforting to know. When I was 39 weeks pregnant my I choose to have one more ultrasound because my everyone who checked was stumped on if DS was breech or not. He was not!
If a major defect is detected than I would deliver in a hospital.

[PaisleyStar]

Placenta previa was one of the few things with which we said, we won't do a homebirth if THIS is the case --Because of being a VBAC, I was at higher risk for that, and I was much reassured to find the placenta is in a happy, perfectly reasonable place. I think I *needed* that reassurance, personally.