sonogram safety?

[gina]

my ob wants to give me frequent sonograms to check on fetal growth- is this ok- i had one yesterday and i am almost 7 weeks- wants me to come back in 2 wks. for another- any opinions on this? also don't want lots of internal exams using k-y- isn't this a petroleum product? are there other lubricants that are safer?

[Sahara]

Personally I don't like to have ultrasounds during pregnancy, they seem to lead to more complications than anything, and many mothers find that the weight/growth estimates are not accurate. If you're eating well, gaining weight at the right rate for your body type, and your fundal measurements seem to be on track I don't think you need ultrasounds unless your doctor haas a concern after the first ultrasound and wants to monitor your baby's development during the early weeks.
As for KY jelly, I thought that it was waterbased, but I'm guessing. Does your doctor recommend frequent internal exams as well? I'm not familiar with obstetricians procedures because we use a midwife, but I actually didn't have an internal exam until I was in labor, and that one was optional.
If you aren't comfortable with the level of testing your doctor recommends, you might be able to tell him you prefer not to have any more ultrasounds or internal exams until later in your pregnancy.

[Imonion2]

Hi, is your DR. concerned about the baby's development this early? Do you have a history of bleeding or miscarriage? I'm asking because I had three ultrasounds early in my pregnancy to determine if my baby was developing OK, as I had some bleeding. In those instances, I feel ultrasound if a "good thing". I was really worried I was losing another baby, and it really helped to see the heartbeat. Those early weeks were just SO stressful.

I think ky is water based as well. So you shouldn't have to worry about that.

Good luck!

[kerikadi]

I don't understand why your doctor would want to do either of these.:confused:
I don't do ultrasounds at all and don't think they are necessary unless there is something specific you are looking for ie birth defects. Do some research on U/S. I have done plenty and that has helped me make the decision not to get one.
And why the internals? What is he hoping to accomplish? You can go an entire pregnancy without an internal exam. Now, if you were having contractions or something I could understand checking for dilation but why on earth would he plan on doing regular exams :shrug
I would personally be looking for a new OB. My midwife palpates my uterus and measures it monthly and that is it. At my last visit she had a hard time finding the top of my uterus and asked me if I felt my baby was growing - I told her yes and she told me that what I felt was most important and that she trusted me and my body that all was going well.

Keri

[witchbaby]

i had several u/s at the beginning of this pregnancy because i have a history of miscarriage, plus had a bad bleeding episode at 5.5 weeks. i was also under the care of a reproductive endocrinologist (i had taken parlodel which, while not technically a fertility drug, lowers high levels of prolactin and can thus cause super-ovulation). i had my last u/s at 9 weeks at my first prenatal as a matter of course (this was kaiser and they just do that, even though i knew my dates exactly).
i've only had one internal exam (at my first prenatal) and i have to say you really shouldn't have more than one at this point unless there is some concern. however, in the case of k-y-- you may ask if they use astro-glide, which is waterbased and cleans up easier, if you ask me.

[Wooby]

I have also heard that the best time to avoid ultrasounds is during the first trimester as the baby is still in its critical development stage. Of course, complications are unlikely but if the possibility exists...:confused:

I am with the other mamas on this one. Unless you have a history of m/c, bleeding, or other complications, I would be wary of so many interventions so early. Plus, if your doc is willing to intervene so much during the first tri, it would seem likely that he would practice that same mindset during your birth. If your goal is an intervention-free birth, I would consider another practitioner.

We had ultrasounds at 10 weeks, 14 weeks, and 21 weeks with dd's pregnancy because I had a fairly recent cervical procedure (unrelated to pregnancy.) DD was fine throughout pregnancy and after. However, this time we choose to have only 1 ultrasound at 24 weeks. I say the less intervention the better. Ultrasounds are not always reliable and can cause a domino effect with other medical procedures. Odds are great that your baby is wonderfully healthy!:D

[Quickening]

No matter what any doc tells you, routine, frequent ultrasounds carry risks - it is NOT safe!

I declined all ultrasounds and dopplers during pregnancy but let my midwife use a doppler during labour and birth at home.

If you want links to read, here are some;

http://www.unhinderedliving.com/pultra.html
Get the above book! I have it, it is great! There is interesting information on the page too.

http://educate-yourself.org/cn/2001/ultrasoundandbraindamage19dec01.shtml

http://www.abc.net.au/science/news/stories/s28980.htm


In my opinion, frequent routine ultrasounds to check on fetal growth is crazy, he must want to get more money out of you or your insurance company. Tell him to go jump!

Also, why the HELL do you "need" to have internal exams during pregnancy? Thats just more interference, and more chances for them to introduce bacteria and germs up there.... no wonder so many women are getting told they have group b!

Fire your OB. If hes interfering like this in pregnancy then GOD knows what he's planning on doing when you're in labour! Find someone else or use a midwife!

[USAmma]

I think they are okay to check for placenta previa, tubal pg, and abnormalities at 20 weeks, but beyond that I don't see the need for one so often. I got one to date my pg this time and because I was having pain, but won't get my second one until 20 weeks.

Darshani

[bellee]

I just read some interesting information today about ultrasounds. This particular articall stated that parents shouldn't think that thery're seeing their baby in his "natural" state, in actuality he's being subject to a very loud noice and reacting to that noise, that's why babies often move so much during an u/s. They compared the sound to that of a jackhammer! I'm rethinking our routine u/s at 18 weeks.