Ultrasound

Ask the Experts

Sarah Buckley

I am four months pregnant. My doctor [gives me an ultrasound] every month. Two days ago, my husband and I went to the doctor for our monthly checkup. He scanned my belly and told us [that everything] is all right, but the doctor also told us that [I] need to [do] an extra ultrasound in three weeks [so that he can see] the baby's heart. Actually, it is for checking for abnormalities before the six-month period. But my question is: Is it necessary? Both of us [wonder] what we will do. Please advise me.

Your doctor is correct in telling you that he cannot see your baby's heart, and some other anatomy, in detail in an early scan. An ultrasound, even later in the pregnancy with an expert sonographer, will pick up only around 60 percent of abnormalities, and the technology is not sophisticated enough to aid sonographers in diagnosing serious conditions, such as Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and autism.

Ultrasounds have not been proven to be safe for unborn babies. In fact, there are no studies at all of the effects of modern, high-powered ultrasounds on babies in the womb.

I suggest you read my article here:
www.sarahjbuckley.com/articles/ultrasound-scans.htm.

Or buy my book here:
www.sarahjbuckley.com/html/gentle-birth-gentle-mothering.htm, which has extra and updated information on ultrasounds and other forms of prenatal testing.

It is very important that you make an informed choice about exposing your unborn baby to this relatively new technology.

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Ultrasound

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