Would you get a scan?

[Ulysses]

Just in response to the posts on the dangers of scans - They have never tested many things to prove if they are safe or not, including most things pregnant women are exposed to - because those sorts of experiments are not ethical, so they will never be done.

However, there are no recorded cases of any number of scans causing issues which is why they are considered safe and not limited during pregnancy.

One extra scan, in the scheme of things is not really anything to be worried about - you would have more to worry about with pesticides and other chemicals we are exposed to on a daily basis.

But, OP you do what you are comfortable with, I understand that the fear of finding something wrong can be overwhelming.

Good luck with it all.

[headoverfeet]

Just in response to the posts on the dangers of scans - They have never tested many things to prove if they are safe or not, including most things pregnant women are exposed to - because those sorts of experiments are not ethical, so they will never be done.

However, there are no recorded cases of any number of scans causing issues which is why they are considered safe and not limited during pregnancy.

One extra scan, in the scheme of things is not really anything to be worried about - you would have more to worry about with pesticides and other chemicals we are exposed to on a daily basis.

But, OP you do what you are comfortable with, I understand that the fear of finding something wrong can be overwhelming.

Good luck with it all.

Everything I read says we don't have enough evidence to suggest that prenatal ultrasounds are safe, some research shows they can slow the growth of the fetus and other data shows that some develop mild neurological defects. If your being told ultrasounds are safe you should ask to see the data on the safety of it.

[Kazza78]

I had a missed mc and then fall pregnant and was soo worried about EVEYTHING.

I had HEAPS of scans:

• 4 - dating scan
• 6+3 - dating/viability scan
• 12+4 - NT scan
• 12+5 - quick scan at GP office following bleeding from scan the day before
• 19+4 - morph scan
• in the last 4 wks I have two quick scans at GP because I fell over and had suspected leaking.

You bled after us? I didnt know that could happen. Is it common?

[Ulysses]

Everything I read says we don't have enough evidence to suggest that prenatal ultrasounds are safe, some research shows they can slow the growth of the fetus and other data shows that some develop mild neurological defects. If your being told ultrasounds are safe you should ask to see the data on the safety of it.

There are no VALID studies that I have seen showing a link between any neurological issues or other serious issues and the use of ultrasounds. There are a couple that have tried to find a link using monkeys but nothing significant or relevant to humans has been found. I have studied science at university level and am currently continuing my studies in statistics, so I know a thing or two about evaluating research.

I think someone mentioned a WHO study, well in the WHO review of Ultrasound for fetal assessment during early pregnancy their main finding included:

Long-term follow up of children exposed to scan in utero does not indicate that scans have a detrimental effect on children’s physical or cognitive development.

here is the link if you would like to read the whole review: http://apps.who.int/rhl/reviews/CD007058.pdf

No studies have shown that they slow down growth (causation and correlation are two different things) - there was a study (newnham et al) done that was looking at the benefit of ultrasounds which had some data on babies in the study which had frequent ultrasounds being smaller BUT the study had some severe design issues such as selection of participants and was not structured to study the weight of babies who had frequent ultrasounds, there could be any number of confounding variables effecting this AND importantly you cannot use this study (which I am guessing you are referring to) to claim that ultrasound was the cause of these specific babies being smaller, it was not designed to test that hypothesis, and there are more studies showing no significance in this area than there are the opposite - if you based your decisions on these type of findings which are not empirically tested then you would be in all sorts of trouble - it is not the sensible thing to do as bad design can be responsible for a number of claims and especially considering other more reliable studies have shown no differences in birthweight between the two groups. More recent, significant, better designed and more reliable studies have not supported the issues you raise.


Again, I have never seen a valid study proving the contrary. Of course there are risks associated with any procedure, but in reality and scientifically nothing has been proven with regard to the standard routine ultrasounds a women recieves during pregnancy.

Just like many other things during pregnancy, they will never do experiments to show what is a safe level as it is not ethically viable to test these types of things on pregnant women. Of course it makes sense not to go overboard with anything during pregnancy - but that goes for everything not just ultrasounds.

Ultrasounds save many more babies and relieve many more mothers than any possible harm they MAY have.

Most obstetricians would advise to use them when medically necessary (whether that be at every check up for a few seconds) or at regular intervals during your pregnancy or when a problem is suspected or it might relieve the concern of parents. It is prudent not to use them frivously like many things during pregnancy. BUT they are not dangerous as far as scientific evidence goes.

Dopplers however are a different story, they can easily overheat and most OB,s would not recommend people use them at home or on a regular basis.

[amesv]

If you would feel calmer having an early scan I would do that, it's not good to be stressed although understandable.

[Buttoneska]

You bled after us? I didnt know that could happen. Is it common?

I had internal because he was misbehaving and we couldn't get the NT fold.

[Buttoneska]

I believe its another case of parents deciding what is best for them. I think that 99% of the time the best outcomes result when the mother is happy, confident and happy (within reason of substance abuse/dangerous lifestyle).

Ultrasounds may/may not be dangerous but if the consequence of having/not having them cause the mother more stress, anxiety, grief then I think that is the real danger to the baby.

There are risk proven and speculated in most aspects of pregnancy and birth but we hsould support parents to do what they feel is best for THEM and their child, not just their child.

Many ppl can reel of a list of dangers for HB and back it up with facts - but if this is the option that is going to make the mother feel safest then INFORMED choice should be supported.

Just my opinion.

I am aware the US could be dangerous but for me the benefits outweighed those risk.

[Kazza78]

Thankyou for your excellent reply

[angelbubswithwings]

Hi lilmuffin

I am really sorry for your losses and congrats on your pregnancy! I've been where you are after finding out I had a blood clotting disorder after 2 x missed miscarriages. I was fortunate to get into the recurrent miscarriage clinic at the royal women's and from 6 weeks onwards they offer weekly scans. They were my saving grace and here I am at 36 weeks pregnant counting down the last couple of weeks. I would make sure you get a supportive gp who understands your anxiety and will refer you for scans. I did go down to my local hospital very early on and had a scan and could only see a fetal pole so regretted not waiting until atleast 7 weeks.

Good luck, it does get easier as you pass milestones. It's your future so you be strong around the drs and tell them what you need xx

[amyy]

hey there. I'm so sorry for you previous losses
you should do whatever you feel comfortable with. but I personally believe that you should get a scan done, just to keep a check on the baby and see how's the little fellow doing? would give you peace of mind.