2007-01-05 02:56:17 · 17 answers · asked by Myco D 1 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Newborn & Baby
Most of the posts here are correct when they say it is only sound. However, it has not been proven to be 100% safe, for the technology has only been around for a short time with wide use. And the blanket-generalization that it is safe because hospitals use them is a pretty poor observation. I guess it all boils down to how you define "safe."
People think epidurals are "safe" just because most laboring women get them, but that is a pretty sorry reason for justifying something as "safe." IMHO, and I'm nothing special, any negative effect on my child whatsoever immediately means, to me and my wife, that it is unsafe when considering any medical procedure.
JOSE...first, you're a mechanical engineering student, not an electrical engineer. Next, so are you telling us that all things produced, especially by engineers, are safe if they are made available to the general public? That's a fairly ignorant blanket statement to make.
2007-01-05 04:31:01 · answer #1 · answered by playdeaux 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The transducer (the thing they rub against your stomach) sends out high frequency sound waves which are sent into the body. As they pass through they bounce off different objects and are sent back as electrical signals, which are then processed and displayed as the image on the screen. According to many studies there are no long term risks although in small proportion of tests they found that multiple scans can affect the growth. But having said that I have had to have many scans with all three of my pregnancies due to having very small babies, and if there was a major risk they wouldn't have done so many scans on a baby that was already very small. Also think about what could happen if you don't have scans, we wouldn't know if anything was ever wrong till it was too late and we wouldn't be able to prevent some illnesses. Good Luck, I would recommend having scans with whatever minor risks there are because it is less risky than not having one.
2007-01-07 04:18:50 · answer #2 · answered by clairewENSLEY 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ultrasound uses sound waves hence the "sound" part. Its a high frequancy that we cant hear but as it hits objects it bounces back showing their shape (think of it a bit like a dolphins ecco location).
Ultrasound can be used to actually heal some parts of the body if the frequency is right (according to my chiroractor) and a dr wouldnt do anything to harm a baby unless it was very nessessary.
The only sort of light that the baby might come into contact with (apart from the normal everyday light) is ultrviolet light after its born if it has bad jaundice and that doesnt hurt either.
2007-01-06 13:14:42 · answer #3 · answered by bebishenron 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ultrasound doesn't emit light.. it's sound waves hence the name.
Some studies show that the ultra sound "heats" up the baby's fluid when in utero.. Other studies show that ultrasounds my contribute to the cause of autisim as countries that don't use ulrasound machines have NO cases of autism.
I'm sure the odd ultrasound is safe but i wouldn;t be making monthly visits to have it done
2007-01-05 11:35:32 · answer #4 · answered by gravyelbow 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ultrasounds ,i have read on Internet were developed to detect submarines and they do cause harm to babies,like give them headache etc .
I am aware today all clinics take ultrasounds which are unavoidable.
Thus i think you can go ahead with the compulsory ones and avoid the fun scans.
2007-01-06 03:04:50 · answer #5 · answered by gulliver 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ultrasounds emit sound waves. The sound waves bounce off the baby and give you the picture you see.
2007-01-05 10:59:11 · answer #6 · answered by Cadillac 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
no
the clue is int he name ultraSOUND
ultrasound is a very high frequency radio signal at low power, it has the ability to penetrate soft tissue easilyn abd be reflected by denser material. It is this ability that allows the device to see your foetus.
Arguably if there were certain chemicals that reacted to the electro magnetic frequency then you could get some flouresence or light generation.. but he chances of that happening inside the womb are non existent
2007-01-05 11:14:18 · answer #7 · answered by Mark J 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
not light sound. There are no studies to prove this, but it is recommended that ultrasounds only be done for medical reasons. there is a concern that it may affect baby's hearing.
2007-01-05 11:01:01 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, an ultrasound is 100% safe
2007-01-05 11:31:07 · answer #9 · answered by Yummy mummy! 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's not the light, it's the vibration of the sound waves that make the picture. However, when it's properly done by a trained professional you have nothing to worry about.
2007-01-05 10:59:19 · answer #10 · answered by beckerbuns 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋