this pregnancy i had decided that i wasn't going to have an ultrasound unless i had any reasons (such as unexplained bleeding, measuring very large for dates, etc) that would call for one. i have researched some the possible risks of u/s and i don't think that they are routinely necessary. however, at my last midwife's appt the midwife i saw this time said basically that she would feel safer attending my birth if i had had an u/s to make sure there is no placenta previa. i told her i would do some more research and if we decided it was better to do an u/s that we would wait until at least 32 weeks to have it done.
i have already done a little bit of research and what i have come up with is that the prevalence of placenta previa is 0.5% and the risks of having asymptomatic placenta previa is only 2% of that 0.5%. i have also read that when the woman goes into labor and has placenta previa it can usually be distinguished by gushes/spurts of dark red blood. the midwife voiced her concern to me that if a woman was in labor and having a little more bleeding than is normal with typical "show" and the woman hadn't had an u/s ruling out placenta previa that this would mean an automatic hospital transfer. if an u/s had already ruled out placenta previa then she would take a watch and wait approach. my concern is that asymptomatic placenta previa doesn't seem common enough to warrant me having an u/s, but now i feel almost like i'm kinda being scared into thinking i should get one "to be on the safe side."
thoughts? midwives, do you recommend your mothers with no risk factors to have a routine ultrasound anyways? why or why not?
i have already done a little bit of research and what i have come up with is that the prevalence of placenta previa is 0.5% and the risks of having asymptomatic placenta previa is only 2% of that 0.5%. i have also read that when the woman goes into labor and has placenta previa it can usually be distinguished by gushes/spurts of dark red blood. the midwife voiced her concern to me that if a woman was in labor and having a little more bleeding than is normal with typical "show" and the woman hadn't had an u/s ruling out placenta previa that this would mean an automatic hospital transfer. if an u/s had already ruled out placenta previa then she would take a watch and wait approach. my concern is that asymptomatic placenta previa doesn't seem common enough to warrant me having an u/s, but now i feel almost like i'm kinda being scared into thinking i should get one "to be on the safe side."
thoughts? midwives, do you recommend your mothers with no risk factors to have a routine ultrasound anyways? why or why not?
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