[Europeanmom]

I've been scanned with all the previous pregnancies. (around week 20)

This time, I am slightly in doubt. I think it is fun to see the child, but it seems a bit necessary.
I don't think it harms the child, and it doesn't harm me.

Give me some advice, please.

Any reason I should go to the ultra-scan?
Any reason I shouldn't?

 

[Pinky Tuscadero]

Not necessarily harmless.

http://www.mothering.com/articles/pr...und-risks.html

Suzy

 

[OnTheFence]

I recently read in one of the Parenting magazines that studies were done on 2600 children, 1300 exposed to ultrasounds and 1300 exposed to no ultrasounds, over a five year period and there was no significant differences between the two groups. Ultrasound is relatively safe. I think with anything though you should be cautious and not over use it.

I personally think the 20 week Level 2 is important, because it can pick up certain birth defects and problems with the fetus. While I wouldn't necessarily terminate a pregnancy, with other children I would like to be prepared should something be wrong -- and my babies life might depend on it.

 

[Sagesgirl]

Are you at risk for any birth defects? If you have any known risk factors, then it would probably be a good idea to go ahead & have the scan. If not, it can be safely skipped, IMO. I did not have one with my previous pregnancy, nor will I be having one with this pregnancy. I don't buy in to the idea that it can cause the baby harm, and I do love seeing my baby pre-birth, but for me it became just one more medical annoyance I could do without.