Dangerous Ultrasounds?

Question

I was told by my OBGYN that having to many ultrasounds during pregnancy could be harmful to my baby." multiple ultrasounds could cause brain defects, learning disorders" ect. Based on studies performed.he gave me an article from cnn.com. It seems kinda scary, now Im worried about having a 4d ultrasound of my baby done. Should I be worried?

Answer 1

I had a high risk pregnany with my first child due to heart defects that run in my family and high blood pressure and low amniotic fluid and possible placenta previa. I must have had about 10 ultrasounds and I delivered a healthy 8 lb 3 oz baby who is at the top of her class. In my experience they have studies that show the postive and negative side of everything you can think of - even talking on a cell phone. Take it with a grain of salt and do your own research. Good Luck.

Did a little research for you:

Are there any risks or side effects from this procedure?
Numerous large studies done over the last 35 years have found no evidence that ultrasounds harm developing babies, or that there's a cumulative effect from having multiple scans. And reports from some small studies suggesting the procedure increases the chance of low birth weight, speech and hearing problems, and left-handedness haven't been borne out by more rigorous research
http://www.babycenter.com/refcap/pregnancy/prenatalhealth/329.html#7

A prenatal ultrasound test uses high-frequency sound waves, inaudible to the human ear, that are transmitted through the abdomen via a device called a transducer to look at the inside of the stomach. With prenatal ultrasound, the echoes are recorded and transformed into video or photographic images of your baby.

The ultrasound can be used during pregnancy to show images of the baby, amniotic sac, placenta and ovaries. Major anatomical abnormalities or birth defects can show up on an ultrasound.

Most prenatal ultrasound procedures are performed topically, or on the surface of the skin, using a gel as a conductive medium to aid the quality of the image. However, a transvaginal ultrasound is an alternative procedure performed using a tubular probe that is inserted into the vaginal canal. This method of ultrasound produces an image quality that is greatly enhanced, but it is not a common prenatal procedure. However, it may be used early in pregnancy to get a clearer view of the uterus or ovaries if a problem is suspected. It may also be used early in pregnancy to determine how far along you are in your pregnancy (gestational age).

Is Prenatal Ultrasound Safe?

Studies have shown ultrasound is not hazardous. There are no harmful side effects to you or your baby. In addition, ultrasound does not use radiation, as X-ray tests do.
http://www.medicinenet.com/prenatal_ultrasound/article.htm

Ultrasound technology has been used for over three decades and the medical community has found no harmful side effects from its use.
http://www.pregnancyweekly.com/pregnancy_information/ultrasound.htm

Hope this helps: type in side effects of baby ultrasound and search. Lots of sites come up to put your fears to rest.

Answer 2

I have not heard that multiple ultrasounds pose a risk to the baby. With my youngest, I had 11 ultrasounds total due to some health concerns, including Gestational Diabetes. I was uncomfortable having so many, but they wanted to keep tabs on the growth of the baby since having a larger than normal baby is common with moms with Gestational Diabetes. However, if there was no medical reason to have an ultrasound, then I wouldn't have one. I never had an ultrasound with my 3 older children. It seems like many of today's pregnant women demand more ultrasounds than recommended. Are you requesting the 4D ultrasound or is your doctor recommending it? If you want it, perhaps your doctor is just wanting you to reconsider an unnecessary test especially if there is a small risk to the baby.

Answer 3

They say that too many ultrasounds can be dangerous, but it sounds like your doctor is too conservative to have done more than one or two. If that is the case I doubt one more will be harmful. (My last OB did 2 ultrasounds on me and then he himself did a 4d ultrasound - he does it for all his patients.)I recently saw an article on the FDA's website talking about this. Basically one of the biggest dangers is that many places who offer 4d ultrasounds are "qualified" to operate the equipment the way a doctor or US tech is. In those instances it's less safe for the baby. If you get your 4d ultrasound done at a clinic with a licensed US tech or doctor, then there is a lot less risk. Good Luck!

Answer 4

What rubbish. Tell your doctor to get his *** back to medical school. I have had 5 babies and many scans with each and I have 5 perfectly beautiful healthy children. This pregnancy I am scheduled to have roughly 8-10 scans and I am not worried one bit. Change doctor your one obviously gets a kick out of worrying pregnant women for no reason!

Answer 5

unless you are having TONS of U/S 2 or 3 during your pregnancy has no proven problems.