No ultrasounds during pregnancy?

littlemommy1 · May 2011

Is anyone doing this?

MissAmber23 · May 2011

I'm thinking about it. We haven't had one thus far, and the only one we'd likely have is the anatomy scan around 20 weeks, unless there's a problem. But I am considering whether to even have the one at 20 weeks if we don't suspect any issues.

littlemommy1 · May 2011

My midwife wants to do one at 8 weeks (I'm about 5 or 6 now.) I'm thinking of waiving all ultrasounds unless absolutely necessary. I've read about the negative effects, such as the harm on the baby's cells, and ultrasounds being linked to autism.

barnwife · May 2011

We chose to not have any u/s. Our midwife will arrange one at 20 weeks if you request it. We did not. (Obviously, if there are suspected issues, she will arrange one.)

Do your own research on the safety of ultrasounds. Consider what your care provider has to say. Consider your own risk factors etc...Then make your own informed decision.

wifeofadam · May 2011

I had none with my last. It made the moment when I saw her so much more special because it truly was my very first look at her!!

My MWs saw no need to have one done unless there were indications of a problem that needed monitored.

PinkPearlGirl · May 2011

We were only going to do one during this pregnancy, but ended up with 4 because I had a pretty large cyst on my ovary that they kept needing to check on.

bluerevolution9 · May 2011

I really did not want any ultrasounds. My midwife is required to have me do an anatomy scan. I reluctantly did it, and really regretted it. The doctor told us the sex (which we didn't want to know) and sent us into a panic over a suspected heart defect, that required me to have another stronger ultrasound with a specialist. I had the second US this morning, and it turns out that the "defect" was just that the baby was lying in a position that blocked his complete view. We were scared for two weeks for nothing. I just felt that I needed to have trusted my mother instinct that told me not to have ultrasounds. I wish my MW would have supported that.

Marsee · May 2011

A similar post was started here a few days ago. Here's my response:

We have decided to decline ultrasounds for this (our first) pregnancy. I don't trust that the public is given updated safety information in a timely manner. As was said, they used to give pregnant women X-Rays and told the public that they were "completely safe". My mom is currently in school getting her doctorate in natural healing and nutrition. In her classes, they told her that having an US is like driving a freight train through your ute. When the tech says "Oh, look! Baby is shy" or "Wow, baby is really moving in there" it's actually LO trying to run away from the US or LO is trying to fight the US and is moving frantically as a result.That said, I think if you have any concerns or if you (your family) have a history of having any sort of problems during pregnancy, that it would be wise to get an US. DH and I and our extended family have absolutely no issues before, during or after pregnancy and feel confident about our choice to decline the US. We're also team green, so we don't need to know the sex. I've been seeing my Naturopath regularly and he has been watching my health for any issues that may arise with me or LO. He told me my health has actually improved since becoming pregnant. DH and I decided that we can live with any problems that may arise from not having an US (our probability of having any issues is SO low), but if there were an issue (be it autism or anything else) that arises from having the US done that we would not be able to forgive ourselves. Having an US for peace of mind (for us) is not worth the possible risks. Of course, everyone's situation is different and I would never tell someone not to get an US. We made the decision to decline and we're comfortable with it. Also, our MW fully supports our decision and didn't try to sway us either way. If I had a different/riskier health history, she may have tried to talk us into getting the US.Also, I know some people *hate* this argument, but how did our mothers and grandmothers etc. have perfectly healthy childrenwithout US? FTR, in our family the sibling who has the most health and behavioral issues is the only one who had an US. Not that it's the fault of the US. . . but just sayin'.

ETA: if (God forbid) some complications arise when we are closer to EDD, and it's recommended for us to get an US, we won't decline.

*And here's a link from that post about Ultrasound safety (or lack thereof): https://www.a-3d-ultrasound.com/ultrasound-machine.html

Marsee · May 2011

And here's the OP ('Ultrasound safety? WWYD?' It's still here on the first page toward the bottom): https://community.thebump.com/cs/ks/forums/thread/53268394.aspx

sschwege · May 2011

I just had the anatomy scan. Keep in mind that Dopplers are a form of u/s.

LILABEJA · May 2011

Only doppler at some appointments! Otherwise no ultrasounds here!

Roxyroodle · May 2011

We are using the Doppler at our appointments but will not have an ultrasound unless something goes wrong.

honkytonk_kid · May 2011

My opinion on ultrasounds is that while I believe they are reasonably safe, there's no reason to go overboard with them, just in case there are risks we just don't know about yet.

I really think it's important to get the anatomy scan at minimum- especially if you are having an out of hospital birth, and a dating u/s IF you are VERY unsure of your dates. The anatomy scan is an important way to make sure that you're low risk enough to be a safe candidate for an out of hospital birth.

mesr · May 2011

i haven't had an u/s with this pregnancy. when i was pregnant with dd, i got one dating u/s at 7 weeks before i switched to midwifery care.

chinadoll531 · May 2011

I definitely understand not having any. However, my cousin would still be alive if my aunt had an ultrasound. It was 18 years ago and her Dr. didn't even offer one. Well, turns out she was having tiwns and no one knew it. First baby was fine. second baby spent way too much time in the birth canal and loss of oxygen caused a lot of problems. spent months in NICU and even when she did come home she had to be fed through a feeding tube and died at 15 months from spitting up in her sleep and choking because she couldn't swallow. I personally wouldn't feel comfortable without at least one US just to check, espcially considering the rising rate of twins.

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