
Merry - posted on 10/30/2010 ( 63 moms have responded )
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So as I research more into things about pregnancy and parenting I'm finding that there's alot of controversy about the safety of ultrasounds and Doppler monitors. I can't find anything conclusive for or against their safety, but alot of resources I trust are saying it's not worth the potential risks to use these tools unless indicated necessary.
So I'm trying to find more info and more exp,ert advise to determine where I stand on these tools. But for now I am going to say that I am only going to have one ultrasound with this pregnancy and try not to use any Doppler monitoring at any time. I will be requesting a fetoscope to listen to the heart beats.
So I fel like I need more info on this but for now I know for certain that no where is anyone saying that ultrasound or dopplers are risk free, even the sites saying they are safe, will not say they are risk free. So I'm going to keep researching but I'm wondering if anyone has any advise, articles, experiences, or anything to help me find the truth about this so I can keep my baby safe as I can.
Regrettably I have already had one Doppler used on me, but I hope it can be the last and with one ultrasound to check placenta position, and general health of the baby, and such I think that is enough risks for me.
Please, anyone have any more info on this?
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Mary - posted on 10/31/2010
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But Laura, by your rationale, walking during pregnancy IS a "foreseeable" risk. Your center of gravity is shifted with pregnancy, and your sense of balance is impacted. Pregnant woman ARE more prone to falls because of this, so therefore, merely walking in your home (particularly when carrying a toddler) IS a "risky" behavior.
It is absolutely your right to refuse any and all testing and diagnostics during your pregnancy. By all means, forego all ultrasounds. If you are feeling your baby move regularly, refuse a fetal heart check. They are not necessary, and as long as you are comfortable enough in your convictions to not try and place blame on anyone other than fate or nature if your child is less than perfect, I fully support your right to make this choice for you and your child. I am just as entitled to find your beliefs on this paranoid and unsubstantiated.
Heather - posted on 11/01/2010
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So if you're only having the one(possibly two) scans during the pregnancy and no more unless there's a medical problem....I don't see the reason for saying ultrasounds are unsafe. If they're used correctly and by someone trained to operate them, there are no studies proving a correlation between ultrasound and anything. I guess I just don't understand...to me, what your saying about ultrasounds is like saying red wine is dangerous...when consumed too often or in too much quantity, yes, it can be dangerous, but in low doses, occasionally, it can possibly prevent heart disease and help with digestion. ANYTHING done too much can be potentially harmful, so I guess I just feel like it's unreasonable to say ultrasounds are unsafe and you could be fueling misinformation and unnessecarily worrying other mothers.
Krista - posted on 11/01/2010
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@ Jodi~ some of the diseases that come to my mind are the increase in ADHD, autism, learning disabilities- just off the top of my head.
Can you catch them? No?
Then they're not diseases.
And blaming increased diagnoses on ultrasounds is akin to me saying that my pet rock keeps tigers away. I've had it for 20 years, and have never been attacked by a tiger, so it must be working.
Ultrasound can be an extremely useful diagnostic tool, to determine whether the baby is developing properly. And like Jodi said, if you trust your doctor, then you trust him or her to not recommend ultrasounds unless they are deemed necessary. And if you DON'T trust your doctor, then why in blue blazes would you put your life and child's life in his or her hands in the first place?
Do you need an ultrasound every week? No. But unfortunately, Laura, the information that you have given may scare some women out of having even that one basic mid-pregnancy ultrasound.
I would just hate to see the same B.S. scare that we saw with regards to vaccines and autism manifest itself again with regards to ultrasounds.
Joanna - posted on 10/31/2010
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@ Kate~ there is nothing dumb about a mom wanting to be fully informed before consenting to any procedure, whether it is a routine procedure or something specific to her pregnancy. Good for her!
@ Jodi~ some of the diseases that come to my mind are the increase in ADHD, autism, learning disabilities- just off the top of my head.
Ultrasounds can be a very useful tool in managing a high risk pregnancy. Typically conditions that require multiple u/s are indicated by a problem with heart rate (can be found with a fetascope just as easily as a doppler), by the measurement of the uterus, or palpating the abdomen. A low risk pregnancy should not require any ultrasounds.
Joanna - posted on 10/31/2010
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First off~ good for you to want to be a fully informed mama!
I don't have any links that I can share with you, but I have seen video of cells that are exposed to ultrasound compared to cells that are not. When the cells are exposed to u/s they begin to shake terribly and it lasts for much longer than the u/s is on them. I wish I had the video to share.
I am the mother of 5 children~ 3 of the 5 had the routine 20 week u/s and maybe a late on to check position, one had no u/s and one had u/s every 2-4 weeks early on. My 2nd child (The one with the multiple u/s) has 2 bone deformities, and learning disabilities. The only difference in prenatal care was the u/s. With my last, I had no u/s, but I did use a doppler. Everytime the doppler was placed on my abdomen, he got very upset and started kicking and squirming and moved as far away from it as he could. If he reacted that way, obviously it was doing something that made him uncomfortable. (and most babies to tend to kick at the doppler,)