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Ultrasound/Doppler safety (clarification in post 65) - Page 3

post #41 of 77
10/12/08 at 2:42pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by summerbaby View Post
I have also had this happen so many times in emails. Reading someone's written word can make you take what they are saying in completely the wrong way.
Me too!

Quote:
Originally Posted by summerbaby View Post
But I just wondered what you would all do if you didn't like u/s but had been told to check in early pregnancy for a tubal as you are high risk (surgery on tube when young teenager). I want to be as well-informed as poss before I see the doc
Personally, I would get the ultrasound. If you did have a tubal pregnancy, from my understanding, the most likely way to save the tube would be to terminate the pregnancy as soon as possible. I would be nervous to take the wait and see approach. But, if you feel ok waiting and seeing and you did have a tubal pregnancy, lots of women go on to have children even with one tube. There will be signs soon if you have an ectopic pregnancy, but even if you start to bleed or have pain you will still probably need an ultrasound to verify that you are dealing with an ectopic pregnancy. Good luck, and I am hoping for the best for you!
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post #42 of 77
10/12/08 at 2:58pm
I've been lurking this DDC since Friday when my RE told me we had conceived! ::: It's been a long journey to get here, but I'll post that info elsewhere.

I'm concerned now because my RE said "now we will watch you very carefully" as in monitoring early pregnancy. EVERY visit I've had with him has included bloodwork and a vaginal u/s. I am assuming this will continue and I'm not comfortable with that. I had absolutely no problems with my first pregnancy, either conceiving or in early pregnancy, so I kind of just want to stop going to the RE now I had trouble GETTING pregnant. Now I am Do I really need constant monitoring?

Anyway, I'm thrilled to be joining all of you!!
post #43 of 77
10/12/08 at 3:01pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mama2j&t View Post
gosh, i sometimes feel like mdc is so judgemental.
Me too. Then I remember that my sence of humor does not transfer at all in type so I have to use lots of smilies

Plus we are all PG and hormonal!

I've been lurking and reading, I haven't formulated an opinion yet. Its still a very personal decision (IMO) but because the safety of you child is in question I think that people feel there should be a right and wrong answer, but right now, until there is more research, I believe its an "I don't know" We will each have to weigh our personal risks and reasons and gather as much info from unbiased sources as we can. Its not a "one size fits all".
post #44 of 77
10/12/08 at 3:09pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Voltige View Post
I've been lurking this DDC since Friday when my RE told me we had conceived! ::: It's been a long journey to get here, but I'll post that info elsewhere.

I'm concerned now because my RE said "now we will watch you very carefully" as in monitoring early pregnancy. EVERY visit I've had with him has included bloodwork and a vaginal u/s. I am assuming this will continue and I'm not comfortable with that. I had absolutely no problems with my first pregnancy, either conceiving or in early pregnancy, so I kind of just want to stop going to the RE now I had trouble GETTING pregnant. Now I am Do I really need constant monitoring?

Anyway, I'm thrilled to be joining all of you!!
when I read your post. First off, CONGRATULATIONS. : And welcome. I also was seeing a RE when I got pregnant. I had done all the tests, and was waiting for one more round of blood work before trying a cycle with drugs & monitoring, when we got pregnant on our own. When we did, I immediately went to the least interventional OB in town, and am now (probably) switching to a midwife. The OB told me that because I had been seeing an RE, I should have told them I was pregnant and they'd have monitored me for my first trimester. I had no idea that was even the protocol. Needless to say, I am not going back to the RE. They were nuts.

If you don't mind my asking, do you know the cause of your IF?
post #45 of 77
10/12/08 at 3:13pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by kriket View Post
Its still a very personal decision (IMO) but because the safety of you child is in question I think that people feel there should be a right and wrong answer, but right now, until there is more research, I believe its an "I don't know" We will each have to weigh our personal risks and reasons and gather as much info from unbiased sources as we can. Its not a "one size fits all".
Very true. I definitely believe that what is right for me may not be right for everyone, and vice versa. In fact, I am actually less worried that an ultrasound/doppler may hurt my baby than I am worried that I would feel guilty if I had one and something went wrong. So that is totally personal and definitely does not translate to everyone.
post #46 of 77
10/12/08 at 3:15pm
Here are some links stating the ultrasound vs. Doppler comparison. I am not asserting their validity - just noting what some people are saying about ultrasound .

1. http://consumercide.com/health/ultrasound01.html#frye
2. Same source, but more info.: http://www.gentlebirth.org/archives/preScreen.html
3. http://gentlebirth.org/archives/preScreen.html#Routine

Here is a pretty lengthy thread about ultrasound safety from long ago: http://www.mothering.com/discussions...ead.php?t=8945

As with most everything we do these days that is "unnatural", we can't truly know the long-term effects yet. I think ultrasound is a great tool when medically indicated, but it's hard to know if its use is helpful otherwise.

That being said, we read the same stuff during the last pregnancy and decided to get an ultrasound because it gave us some comfort. We also totally gave up at the end and had all sorts of monitoring . This time we'll discuss whether or not the unknown risks outweigh the benefits for our situation.
post #47 of 77
10/12/08 at 3:17pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by no5no5 View Post

If you don't mind my asking, do you know the cause of your IF?
Thanks!

I believe it was endometriosis. We conceived on the first full cycle after surgery- after more than a year before surgery without success. However, I was also gluten free for the first time ever, when we conceived, so who knows if that played a role or not.

If you recall, we had a brief exchange about Hashi's- I have that diagnosis as well, along with possible PCOS. There are several possible reasons for my IF.
post #48 of 77
10/12/08 at 3:19pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Voltige View Post
I've been lurking this DDC since Friday when my RE told me we had conceived! ::: It's been a long journey to get here, but I'll post that info elsewhere.

I'm concerned now because my RE said "now we will watch you very carefully" as in monitoring early pregnancy. EVERY visit I've had with him has included bloodwork and a vaginal u/s. I am assuming this will continue and I'm not comfortable with that. I had absolutely no problems with my first pregnancy, either conceiving or in early pregnancy, so I kind of just want to stop going to the RE now I had trouble GETTING pregnant. Now I am Do I really need constant monitoring?

Anyway, I'm thrilled to be joining all of you!!
Congrats!

You probably do not need the constant monitoring, but since I have no idea what your medical history is I can only guess that. I would guess that once you are pregnant and after a placental placement is confirmed (in case you had an increased risk for ectopic) there would not be much need to monitor. Could you ask your dr why he/she feels the need for the intensive monitoring? Perhaps if you talk it out you will feel more confident to continue monitoring or decline any further monitoring. Good luck!

Quote:
Originally Posted by kriket View Post
Its still a very personal decision (IMO). Its not a "one size fits all".
I edited your post down...hope that is ok. I completely agree that is a personal choice, and there is not a right answer for everyone. The part I edited is because I do think there is sufficient research to indicate there is a risk involved in ultrasound...I just think that the personal benefits (need to know there is a live baby, possible abnormalities and life challenges, bonding experience, etc.) might outweigh the risk. It is a very personal choice, and like many prenatal/labor procedures I wish that people were fully informed before the consented. I think that is what upsets me that many of us are not at all aware of the risks because we are told that it is "safe" by our medical provider.
post #49 of 77
10/12/08 at 3:28pm
You ladies were busy while I typed!

Quote:
Originally Posted by tubulidentata2 View Post
Here are some links stating the ultrasound vs. Doppler comparison. I am not asserting their validity - just noting what some people are saying about ultrasound .

1. http://consumercide.com/health/ultrasound01.html#frye
2. Same source, but more info.: http://www.gentlebirth.org/archives/preScreen.html
3. http://gentlebirth.org/archives/preScreen.html#Routine

Here is a pretty lengthy thread about ultrasound safety from long ago: http://www.mothering.com/discussions...ead.php?t=8945

As with most everything we do these days that is "unnatural", we can't truly know the long-term effects yet. I think ultrasound is a great tool when medically indicated, but it's hard to know if its use is helpful otherwise.

That being said, we read the same stuff during the last pregnancy and decided to get an ultrasound because it gave us some comfort. We also totally gave up at the end and had all sorts of monitoring . This time we'll discuss whether or not the unknown risks outweigh the benefits for our situation.
Thanks! The doppler information is very interesting, and I am not sure if we will use it now. I had no idea. I am not sure if I can wait until I can feel movement to be reassured that baby is alive and well. It appears that it would be safer to do an ultrasound at 12 weeks then use a doppler though.
post #50 of 77
10/12/08 at 4:09pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the links, tubulidentata2. I have not looked at them yet, but I will in a few minutes.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Voltige View Post
Thanks!

I believe it was endometriosis. We conceived on the first full cycle after surgery- after more than a year before surgery without success. However, I was also gluten free for the first time ever, when we conceived, so who knows if that played a role or not.

If you recall, we had a brief exchange about Hashi's- I have that diagnosis as well, along with possible PCOS. There are several possible reasons for my IF.
Well, wrt endo, and especially if you've had surgery (I think), doesn't that put you at higher risk of an ectopic pregnancy? So that might actually be a reason to consider an early ultrasound. But I really don't see the need for a million and one ultrasounds. One might be enough.

My memory is terrible.

Quote:
Originally Posted by BlissfullyLoving View Post
It is a very personal choice, and like many prenatal/labor procedures I wish that people were fully informed before the consented. I think that is what upsets me that many of us are not at all aware of the risks because we are told that it is "safe" by our medical provider.
This is exactly why I am constantly harping on about breastfeeding. Not because I want people to feel like they have to do it any one way, but because I feel like you can't make a decision if you are uninformed. And doctors are so poor at informing people.
post #51 of 77
10/12/08 at 4:14pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by no5no5 View Post
This is exactly why I am constantly harping on about breastfeeding. Not because I want people to feel like they have to do it any one way, but because I feel like you can't make a decision if you are uninformed. And doctors are so poor at informing people.
Sadly, SO true. Some midwives are the same way. It is really sad.
post #52 of 77
10/12/08 at 4:53pm
hey all
there was just one comment about the pumping that made me feel bad... my son was born with a gaping hole in his face and the shock of it would have probably left us paralzyed had we not been emotionally prepared. the hospital would not have encouraged pumping, they supplied us with tons of formula anyway but i was prepared and started pumping right away. yeah, it probably would have been fine if we would have been shocked but i don't think i would have been as ready to face the challenges.

i think it's good to exchange experiences - that's how each of us can make a more informed decision about our family. like i originally said, i am now considering no u/s for this pregnancy which is a pretty big deal (in the mainstream world) considering my son's birth defect.

i think that most of us here hold strongly some viewpoints that are different from most of society today, and that's good. however we need to be careful in judging others because unless you've walked in someone else's shoes, you have no idea how you would react. like i said earlier too, i know that my experience was rare and i would never encourage someone to do an u/s based on my experience, so maybe i should have never brought it up... oh well anyways.... on to a new topic
post #53 of 77
10/12/08 at 5:29pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by BlissfullyLoving View Post
Ann,
I thought the take home things to listen to the heartbeat were dopplers. What are they?

I just looked around, and I could only find home use fetal dopplers and fetascopes. What did you have?
They are literally microphones - and trust me, at £20 a one (not rented, bought from the store)...no where near a doppler! lol...This is why you can really only use it from 20 weeks onwards AND...you gotta have thin skin. I could hear DS heartbeat at 20 weeks (in just the right spot) but I got some extra padding this time around so imagine ill have to use it a few weeks later than that to hear anything! hehe
post #54 of 77
10/12/08 at 5:32pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ann_of_loxley View Post
They are literally microphones - and trust me, at £20 a one (not rented, bought from the store)...no where near a doppler! lol...This is why you can really only use it from 20 weeks onwards AND...you gotta have thin skin. I could hear DS heartbeat at 20 weeks (in just the right spot) but I got some extra padding this time around so imagine ill have to use it a few weeks later than that to hear anything! hehe
Can you post a link? I am having a hard time finding anything except the doppler kind.
post #55 of 77
10/12/08 at 5:38pm
Here you go !
post #56 of 77
10/12/08 at 5:39pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ann_of_loxley View Post
Thanks!!!!
post #57 of 77
10/12/08 at 5:44pm
Heres another one, It works better for someone else (like DP) listening because you have to rest your head on it. Something about skull reverb
post #58 of 77
10/12/08 at 5:49pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by kriket View Post
Heres another one, It works better for someone else (like DP) listening because you have to rest your head on it. Something about skull reverb
I used a fetoscope with ds. I had a hard time hearing him until the week I was due.
post #59 of 77
10/12/08 at 5:54pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by BlissfullyLoving View Post
I used a fetoscope with ds. I had a hard time hearing him until the week I was due.
well jeese, that sucks. I got all exighted when I found it!
post #60 of 77
10/12/08 at 5:56pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by kriket View Post
well jeese, that sucks. I got all exighted when I found it!
You might be able to hear it sooner. Many people can hear it much sooner. My midwife told me to listen with my heart and not my ears.
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