Are ultrasounds dangerous?

[MeaganMackenz]

In my previous pregnancy, I had 5 scans. 2 off the hop due to spitting, 1 regular scan in the middle, a paid for gender scan in middle and a fetal assessment at the end. My daughter is healthy and perfect. Rest easy,

 

[squishmich]

So I hit the internet hard and really didn't come across anything that suggests that ultrasounds are entirely dangerous, I think in the case of my mom, she struggled to learn the cause of my sister's learning disability and was reaching for a cause and seeing as she'd had more than normal with my sister, she deduced that it was the ultrasounds that caused it. (My sister also had a lack of oxygen at birth, which I think might be a cause there....but we won't go there!)

I like most of you, agree, that scans are generally safe. Yes they generate heat and yes you don't want to be getting ultrasounds every day for an hour a day, but I agree that professionals wouldn't use them if they thought they were unsafe or for medical necessity.

So in the end I did schedule my scan; I'll be almost 6 weeks when I get it done. I'm extremely eager to go and see something - even if it's a lil blob. I don't fear anything going wrong as a result of getting an extra ultrasound. My mom isn't thrilled with my decision but in the end, it's what's best for me and my baby, right? I appreciate everyone's thoughts....it's a tricky question to ask and answer, isn't it?

 

[tulip1975]

I disagree with the statements here that an early scan can't benefit. At my first scan at 7 weeks, my doc found a hemorrage on my scan and put me on exercise and sex restrictions. At subsequent scans he was able to monitor the size of that spot until it was gone.

He was also able to see where the gestational sac is compared to a long-term fibroid that I have (outside the uterus), as well as note whether the fibroid is growing.

 

[NDH]

Its a tricky one to answer. The medical world operates on the basis of "well it hasn't been proven unsafe so let's use it", and how many once-safe and standard things have later been determined unsafe? Obviously though, its a lot harder to prove that something is safe than unsafe, so there isn't really anything that can be done differently.
Exercise reasonable precautions and moderarion, and weigh the pros vs potential risks before agreeing to each scan. For example, if youre having a really early scan to determine viability, if its simply too early to see a heartbeat would that cause you more worry than reassurance if you did see it?

I had 4 scans with my first pregnancy and more than I could keep track of with my second - had planned to keep it to just two but didn't stick to my guns. I did enjoy seeing the baby thats for sure but the novelty wore off quickly.

For me personally, after reading up on the *potential* for risk I have decided that the even slight chance that some day ultrasounds might be found unsafe in pregnancy outweighs the benefits of most scans. And aside from that even, I am stepping back from the over medicalization of pregnancy as the medical field wants every pregnancy to fit in a perfect little box.

And also it seems to me, from my observations of many women, that the more scans one has the more worry they cause rather than resolving. Let's have an early dating scan. Oh no there's no heart beat is it non viable or just too early? Folowup scan in a week - something else to worry about etc etc. NT scan shows high risk of Downs - lots of worry and stress until amnio or blood tests give the all clear (more likely outcome). 20 week scan shows there might be a problem, lots of follow up scans to be sure. Third trimester growth scans show baby is "too big" or "too small", when all babies grow and develop and different rates. Some have a big growth early and plateau for a while (causing double worry) and some grow and a more steady rate. Not to mention the in accuracy of the size estimates produced.

Of course I do recognise that they can pick up on actual problems, not just perceived ones when the baby doesn't dit in the nice box drs call normal, but very rarely can something be done about it right then and there so its just a matter of waiting, therefore the outcome doesn't change (the exception being when lifesaving surgery can be performed in utero or immediately at birth)

Women are relying on technology instead of their own instincts and the natural birthing process (of course with science and technology as a backup if needed) and babies are being born too early because theyre "too big" or "too small".

Just my two cents and I mean absolutely no disrespect to anyone who has decided that, for them, the benefit of scans out weighs the potential risks.

 

[BabyDragon]

With my last pregnancy, I must have at least a dozen scans.

There were tons of benefits from it.

What could be done if there were problems that were found?

Tons.

That statement was just plain baloney, that said there were no benefits to the baby, and there is nothing much that could be done if problems were found.

I produce antibodies that can pass the placenta.

If problems were found, then I would be medicated to help my daughter.

If a heart block was found, I would be given steroids to help her lungs developed.

If it was bad enough, she would have been delivered earlier.

If problems were discovered that could 'wait' then they would have had specialist on hand at her birth right away to help her.

Towards the end, because of ultrasound, it was discovered that my placenta was calcifying and my blood flow to her was slowing, as is nutrients and oxygen. I was ordered on complete bed rest.

My daughter was born full term at a healthy 6lbs.

I was very grateful for all those extra ultrasound to ensure that any problems would be picked up, and help would be given immediately when needed.

Don't spread that bull shit. Please

 

[Nikoru0111]

I am 7 and a half weeks and so far I have already had 5 scans and need one more next week and I don't like the amount I'm having. I have a SCH and had lots of bleeding. I think if the heartbeat is still there next week at 8w+2 I'm just going to ask to wait until 12 weeks for the next one unless I have bleeding. I'm sick of all the intervention. Plus I'm scared of the Ultrasound causing miscarriage. I know it probably sounds silly but I do worry about it. I know sound can damage your hearing so I don't think it's totally inconceivable for it to damage a very early embryos development.

 

[NDH]

With my last pregnancy, I must have at least a dozen scans.

There were tons of benefits from it.

What could be done if there were problems that were found?

Tons.

That statement was just plain baloney, that said there were no benefits to the baby, and there is nothing much that could be done if problems were found.

I produce antibodies that can pass the placenta.

If problems were found, then I would be medicated to help my daughter.

If a heart block was found, I would be given steroids to help her lungs developed.

If it was bad enough, she would have been delivered earlier.

If problems were discovered that could 'wait' then they would have had specialist on hand at her birth right away to help her.

Towards the end, because of ultrasound, it was discovered that my placenta was calcifying and my blood flow to her was slowing, as is nutrients and oxygen. I was ordered on complete bed rest.

My daughter was born full term at a healthy 6lbs.

I was very grateful for all those extra ultrasound to ensure that any problems would be picked up, and help would be given immediately when needed.

Don't spread that bull shit. Please

Not sure whether this was aimed at me or not. I've reread my post and can't see anything I said that could be taken as "spreading bullshit", but as I was the previous poster and one of the few dissenters I'll assume you did intend that message for me.

In no way did I say scans are dangerous and should never be done. However the truth is they certainly have never been proven to be safe either, and many of the studies (of which there hasn't been a single one done since the 80s, on less powerful equipment and for durations of no more than 3 minutes) did indicate there *may* be risks associated.

I certainly believe women ought to be made aware of those facts so they can each make an informed decision about what is right for them in their situation.

Also, around 40% of complications ate not detected during routine scans, and a significant number of babies that have complications identified either resolve themselves before birth or are misdiagnosed in the first place, leading to a lot of unnecessary anxiety and stress.

 

[Nikoru0111]

Just wanted to add that a lot of my early scans have caused more worry than relief. Besides when you have a scan you can see if things are okay at that very moment...it can't even guarantee as soon as the scan has finished it will still be okay. So for me even with the bleeding there probably isn't much benefit and like NDH mentioned at my stage they can't do anything of something looks wrong it's always a wait and see approach or they tried to schedule a d&c when I didn't even need one as a week later the LOs were fine and viable (one stopped developing since though).