Is anyone else out there skipping the routine ultrasounds (esp doppler)? As long as no problems are suspected, I do not plan on exposing my fetus or body to routine ultrasounds... well, I am considering just one at 20 weeks to confirm that all looks well and to find out the gender. But I will keep it as short as possible and make sure the technician is fully aware of the potential dangers. I plan on having the midwife use a fetoscope to hear the heartbeat at the other appointments (when possible) but other than that I plan on seeing/hearing my baby when it's time to come out. I'm mostly wondering how many others are doing the same and if you've gotten any push back from your midwife/doctor about this decision. I am 10.5 wks and still haven't had my first appt though it will be in the next few weeks.
Re: skipping routine ultrasounds and doppler?
Married: October 2008
If we ever have another LO, I will most likely skip the doppler as well.
My MW wouldn't care. I'm guessing a good percentage of her patients don't allow the doppler. Actually, at one appt., my MW's assistant picked up the doppler to use it and questioned, "wait...are you a no doppler person?"
So I know they have patients who don't want it used.
So in my experience, I had several ultra sounds, but I they weren't for fun - they were for medical reasons and genetic testing.
My Ovulation Chart
I also had quick in-office U/S at 38 weeks because my midwife could not feel the back of DD's neck where she thought it should be...so the concern was that she might have turned breech. Turns out she was just very ready to be born and was that low in my pelvis. Still, I think the 40 seconds or however long it took was definitely worth it.
My midwife checked fetal heart rate with the doppler at every visit. Given that getting one's heart rate checked at any doctor appointment is routine as an adult I would think it would be especially important to check when one's heart is developing as a fetus. But, if your provider has a fetoscope, that is certainly an option. Honestly, I never thought to be concerned about the doppler.
I don't know if CNMs use fetoscopes anymore, but I wouldn't be overly worried about Doppler use at appointments.
DS2 - Oct 2010 (my VBAC baby!)
It's known that u/s waves do cause at least temporary changes in the cells. We know that fetuses often try to move away from the source of such changes in the womb.
That being said, I am not completely anti-u/s. As I said, I have never had one. And I will choose to limit even the doppler in future pregnancies. But I think they can be useful tools in moderation.
My MW orders a 20 week u/s if you want it/if there is an indication that it may be a good idea. She uses a fetoscope (spelling?) at every appt. She also uses doppler with patient permission.
OP, the best thing is to do your own research, including discussing things with your care provider and then make the decision that is right for you.
BFP#2: EDD 2/11/14, MMC confirmed 7/15/13 (growth stopped at 6 weeks), D&C @ 12 weeks 7/25/13
I have had 4 U/s so far and will get my A/S today. However, this is only b/c I have had 3 losses. I had one at 6 w to confirm pregnancy, One at 8 w, and then one at almost 10 w due to severe cramping. I had the NT at 12 weeks b/c I had a previous loss due to Trisomy 18.
I am assuming this will be my last one, unless they do one before I give birth, as I am past all my loss milestones and everything appears to be fine.
I think most people only have increased u/s if they have a history of loss or are high risk.
BFP #1 ended in MMC. Discovered Oct 2005 @10w5d, baby stopped growing around 6w. D&C.
BFP#2 Nov 2005. Baby's heart stopped @ 8w3d. D&C Jan 2006. Trisomy 18
BFP#3 Nov 2006. My "miracle baby" DD born 7/25/07
BFP #4 11/6/12. EDD 7/16/13~my birthday! No sac found @ 5w1d, betas not increasing. Natural m/c started 11/20/12.
BFP#5 11/9/13. EDD 7/21/14 Our beautiful rainbow born on his due date!!
I actually just saw a video at my first Bradley Method class about the possible dangers of ultrasounds and Doppler so it's interesting to see what other people think.
kitchencolors has a great point about not discussing anything that is the least bit controversial... unless you are ready for controversy.
I started eating the paleo diet over a year ago and have slowly learned it's best not to talk about my diet or nutrition/health, etc unless I am prepared for questions, backlash, teasing, etc. Merely ordering something gluten free at a restaurant would set some of my own friends off (the worse was someone that has a severe shellfish allergy, of all people!). Sigh. But I am glad I've gone through that before pregnancy because apparently this will be 1000 times worse.
Smiling and changing the subject is the best way to get out of situations like this. You don't have to explain yourself. Rarely do people actually care about learning your viewpoint. They tend to just look for more things to argue about. Now if they are genuinely interested and they really want to know, explain yourself. They may still argue or judge you but such is life, I guess.
Thank you for your polite response!
I have gay friends and family and absolutely respect and support everyone that is gay and/or transgender. However, I really don't think that using the word "gender" when talking about an ultrasound creates intolerance.
Especially since, according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, gender means sex:
Definition of GENDER
1: sex
2: the behavioral, cultural, or psychological traits typically associated with one sex
Definition of SEX
1: either of the two major forms of individuals that occur in many species and that are distinguished respectively as male or female
2: the sum of the structural, functional, and behavioral characteristics of living things that are involved in reproduction by two interacting parents and that distinguish males and females
3a : sexually motivated phenomena or behavior
b : sexual intercourse
Frankly, "gender" has more than one definition.... "sex" has more than one definition. Sex can be an awkward word to use in front of in-laws and coworkers. Especially when pregnant... people are already thinking, "you two had sex!" I'm sure many people prefer to use the word gender because it doesn't have the naughty connotation like the word sex.
While I respect those working towards tolerance for the LGBT community, I just see this as a non-issue. At least until the dictionary changes its definition.