Pregnant women frequently worry about the safety of ultrasounds on the developing fetus. But there are certain risks associated with ultrasounds. Additionally, research has not shown proof that diagnostic ultrasounds lead to better fetal outcomes.
We want to reduce the number of interventions utilized during pregnancy and birth as natural mothers. But you might want to get at least one ultrasound done throughout your pregnancy to check the baby’s anatomy and ensure everything is alright. There might be a “middle way” for baby ultrasounds, which is explained here.
But remember that, despite potential advantages, ultrasounds are neither necessary nor supported by research. You may be sure that most studies demonstrate that a baby won’t be harmed if ultrasounds are used infrequently throughout pregnancy. Here are some resources for parents who are expecting.
What precisely is an ultrasound?
A prenatal ultrasound is generally available for pregnant women. It uses sound waves to project a picture of your unborn kid within the womb. Through ultrasonography, your doctor can keep an eye on the well-being and growth of your child.
Ultrasounds during pregnancy can be a special experience. Finally, you will get to see your newborn! Depending on when it’s done and how your kid is positioned, you might be able to see his hands, legs, and other body parts.
Most pregnant women have an ultrasound in the second trimester between weeks 18 and 20. An early ultrasound, commonly referred to as a first-trimester ultrasound, is occasionally carried out earlier than 14 weeks of pregnancy. Women with specific medical conditions, such as obesity and asthma, may need fewer ultrasounds in frequency and schedule. Talk to your doctor about when an ultrasound is right for you.
What could justify having an ultrasound?
Your doctor might use ultrasonography for a variety of procedures, including:
- To confirm your pregnancy and determine the age and development of your child. This makes it easier to determine when to pay your provider.
- To evaluate your child’s heartbeat, movement, tone, and overall growth to determine whether
- To find out whether you are having twins, triplets, or more (also called multiples)
- Check your uterus and ovaries before giving birth to see if your unborn kid is laying head-first (womb). In your ovaries, your body stores eggs.
Your doctor may also do tests using ultrasound technology. Screening looks to see if your baby is more likely than others to get the illness rather than determining whether they do. Your doctor might use ultrasonography to look for congenital disabilities like spina bifida or heart abnormalities.
When ought one to have an ultrasound?
- Ultrasound in first tri-sem
Ultrasounds during this time should not be routine because it is challenging to see the baby’s parts during the first trimester to determine whether they have formed normally. However, there are additional justifications for ultrasound in the first trimester, such as determining the stage of pregnancy or examining a patient who is bleeding or uncomfortable.
Cdn Care started offering early ultrasounds to everyone when we noticed a pattern among young women unsure of the start of their most recent menstrual cycle. About one in four women who had first-trimester ultrasounds, which can also shift the delivery date, had their due date revised. Additionally, accurate gestational age knowledge is required to carry out specific procedures at a suitable time. We would, however, support a patient’s choice not to get an ultrasound at that time.
- Ultrasound at the 20th week
An ultrasound during the second trimester can help assuage concerns about the developing fetus. Many of the patients who visit us let us know that they are eager to get the ultrasound because they require this reassurance. This can be extremely important for older moms with health concerns that increase their likelihood of having a congenital disability. The gender of the unborn child may also be determined by the ultrasound at 20 weeks (if the baby is in a good position).
When an ultrasound shows a problem, some parents prefer to be warned that the delivery or the baby’s care may be difficult. It may take time to locate a hospital that can handle your pregnancy and delivery in case of a defect and select a specialized pediatrician and childcare, if necessary.
At this time, an ultrasound can also detect additional high-risk situations, such as the presence of twins or a placenta in situ. It is recommended to give birth at a hospital rather than a birth center or home in specific circumstances, such as placenta previa, which could cause substantial maternal hemorrhage.
Can an ultrasound test be harmful?
Sound waves dangerous to mother and child are not used in standard ultrasound scans. However, ultrasonography could be harmful if it finds ambiguous malformations or results. Additional testing can be required, and people might feel scared and worried. These extra tests can take a lot of time, and they occasionally have uncomfortable outcomes that are difficult for pregnant parents to handle.
Even when the unborn kid has health issues, an ultrasound scan may make it appear that everything is going according to plan. It is false for expectant parents to believe that their child is healthy. It can be shocking when a child is delivered completely unannounced with serious health problems or defects.
Not all scan results are apparent, and not all issues found during an ultrasound check may be fixed. This can be disconcerting, challenging to handle, and necessitate making difficult choices. The decision of whether to have an abortion or keep going with the pregnancy may come up if there are indications that the unborn child may have physical or mental disabilities. Internal strife may result from this. Some women claim that they would not have undergone the scan if they had considered the possible outcomes in advance.
Is it possible to refuse to get an ultrasound?
Every woman has the choice of whether to consent to any ultrasound scans. Perhaps all you’re interested in finding out is whether your child is growing normally or if there are any anomalies. Or you opt not to get any ultrasound scans because you do not want to deal with the uncertainty and potentially tough choices that go along with them. Another justification for skipping ultrasounds is deciding to carry your pregnancy to term regardless of how your child is growing.
However, refusing to get an ultrasound scan or not desiring certain information may have drawbacks. It could imply that the unborn child’s problems go unnoticed and untreated, even though therapy might have been possible in the womb. Unnoticed dangers to the mother could include a too-low placenta in the uterus. Some scan results may indicate that you should continue your pregnancy and give birth at a specialized facility or doctor.
Ultrasound waves are safe and secure!
We may reassure pregnant women who shy away from sonograms out of worry for their unborn children that ultrasound is a very safe technique. No connections exist between juvenile cancer, developmental issues later in life, or congenital disabilities linked to ultrasound.
Skilled ultrasonographers carry out studies to limit exposure to the growing fetus. For the same reason, the FDA advises against using ultrasound devices for home and souvenir purposes. Ultrasound treatment is a private decision. Your doctor should be open to discussing your preferences and worries and providing the details you need to make an informed choice.
If you’re unsure about using ultrasonography while pregnant, talk to your doctor about the benefits and drawbacks. Cdn Care prioritizes maternal and child health because we know their importance to you. Please contact us if you have any inquiries concerning your ultrasound or pregnancy.