Talk to me about ultrasounds

ksuRN09 · December 2013

So I'm sure everyone has heard about how ultrasounds are supposedly harmful to the baby. Is there any data/research to back this up? I googled it but all I could find was stuff about what to expect during an ultrasound.

The reason I ask is my doctor sometimes does a quick ultrasound in the office during visits just to check on the baby and let you see it. So I've had my dating ultrasound and two in the office (the first one was only done because they couldn't find the heartbeat with the Doppler). I'm not super concerned but wondering if I should refuse them if there really is truth to the rumors (with valid medical data).

IvyMagic828 · December 2013

I don't think there is any conclusive evidence about the outcome for a fetus exposed to ultrasound.. there are so many variables to consider and most studies out there were done many years ago when they had different equipment. Nowadays, the machines have even more power (especially the 3-D ones) and no one really knows what that could be doing. In inexperienced hands, there might be potential for harm with prolonged and inappropriate use. I know there are studies about how ultrasound waves cause changes in cells or tissue so the worry is that perhaps it could affect fetus development.

Basically, it's a big black box. My husband is worried about it, so I'm agreeing to avoid ultrasounds except for the anatomy scan or if a problem warrants one.

pantherRN · December 2013

As far as I know, there is no valid medical data. Even if there was, correlation does not equal causation.

ksuRN09 · December 2013

@pantherRN Oh I know. I was just curious about the data if it existed. I try not to take many of these rumors to heart bc I know a lot of them are not evidence based (which I'm big on). However, once hearing them, there's always a little part of my brain saying "maybe you should look into this a little more just in case."

pantherRN · December 2013

You can always try PubMed for published articles.

Last time I checked for articles on ultrasound being damaging, they were from liiiiike 1993...

ksuRN09 · December 2013

Oooh yeah...a 20 yr old article hardly seems like it would be accurate. I totally forgot about PubMed though! My research skills from college must be fading!

janda426 · December 2013

::lurking, wishing my ute was occupied:: my aunt had ~75 ultrasounds between her 3 pregnancies, she's morbidly obese and was incredibly high risk. Her kids are fine, FWIW.

pantherRN · December 2013

I guess, the only concern I would have about this had nothing to do with the ultrasound itself.

Is your OB billing insurance for this? If so, he is just out to get more money. And that I would side eye and consider a new OB for.

ksuRN09 · December 2013

To be honest, I'm not sure but I doubt it. It's a machine he just has in his office. He's not sending me to ultrasound or anything. His office charges one co-pay at the beginning of pregnancy and that covers all visits for the rest of the pregnancy. I'd guess that the office ultrasounds are just included.

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