Danger of Ultrasounds?!- Sorry, looked and didn't see other post!

Clbehenna · December 2014

So, this story was on Today. I was supposed to go for my gender ultrasound on Saturday, but now I'm thinking I shouldn't. I already went for my 12 week scan and am feeling guilty!

https://m.today.com/parents/ultrasound-warning-fda-recommends-against-keepsake-ultrasounds-1D80372998

finchfeeder80 · December 2014

The gist of the article, or the very similar one that was also posted this morning is that medical u/s, as in, done by your doctor, are for very short periods by medically trained staff. The problem with the elective ones done outside your doctor's office or hospital is that they are often doing the u/s for extended periods of time on people and the "tech" have no formal medical training. Don't worry about the ones you get from your doctor's office. And definitely don't feel guilty. They know what they're doing there.

TheAlmostMom · December 2014

Psht. I have my elective US tomorrow and I am not going to feel guilty at all. Just dont stick your belly in a microwave or volunteer for xrays and I feel like everything will be fine. lol

smorin7888 · December 2014

I understand where you're coming from! I chose to only have my 8 week and 20 week ultrasound so eliminate unnecessary sound waves. I've been using my intuition to guide me through this pregancy while keeping science out. It's been working well for me

TeacherMama7 · December 2014

@smorin7888‌ - your intuition overrides science?!

kimmarie1105 · December 2014

smorin7888 said:
I understand where you're coming from! I chose to only have my 8 week and 20 week ultrasound so eliminate unnecessary sound waves. I've been using my intuition to guide me through this pregancy while keeping science out. It's been working well for me

Science is a myth, yo.

blu-eyedwife · December 2014

TheAlmostMom · December 2014

genepoolperfect said:

TheAlmostMom said:

Psht. I have my elective US tomorrow and I am not going to feel guilty at all. Just dont stick your belly in a microwave or volunteer for xrays and I feel like everything will be fine. lol

Thank you for you EXCELLENT MEDICAL ADVICE Doctor @TheAlmostMom. I'll be sure to disregard all science, my personal medical doctors and the FDA from here on out.

Here is the actual release from the FDA:
https://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm095508.htm

Oooohhh, teeesssttyyy today are we? I'm not saying to disregard science- I'm saying do what you feel is best. When epidemics of women whose babies were born with defects directly correlated to additional ultrasounds start popping up I will take this with a little more than a grain of salt. The FDA has been known to be a little alarmist with some things... like when they recalled neck massagers because they could be fatal. Or when they banned a bunch of supplements that had been in use and publicly available for decades (some for centuries) with no ill effects because suddenly they 'classified as a drug'... like fish oil. Or when they shut down 23andMe (genetic testing) because the results might drive people to demand further testing for health concerns like breast cancer, ovarian cancer, etc.... Or when they banned cheese aged on wood (a thousand+ year old practice) when they thought it increased the risk of listeria (more than plastic or metal, which can also harbor the organisms in cracks and scratches) though there were no conclusive studies that proved that. Or how about how the FDA has had a ban on gay men donating blood since the 80's, despite the research since that shows this is superfluous (I think they FINALLY lifted that one...)?

So, like I said. Not medical advice. Just my opinion that if you want the ultrasound, educate yourself- make sure its a reputable place, then get the ultrasound.

Also, the FDA also thinks that Aspirin is too high risk to use to prevent heart attacks or strokes. In direct contradiction with The American Heart Association... and that anyone who is not high risk for heart problems should NOT be on a low daily dose (sorry to all the mommas out there with clotting issues like me- it is not FDA approved or advised.)

Also, get the sand out of your panties. I bet the FDA doesn't approve that either.

ETA: I used a SHIT TON of science to even GET pregnant. Soooo, I'm about as far from anti-science as they come. People just need to make informed choices.

blu-eyedwife · December 2014

threearrows said:

Does this mean all the ladies on the boards who own dopplers are going to go toss them in the trash now?!

To be fair, some of us never got home dopplers because this isn't exactly new information. They've been saying home dopplers are a bad idea since at least 2011 when I was pregnant the first time.

Trampslikeus · December 2014

The thing is, there actually is no data or evidence of negative impacts of ultrasound. It's a theory. I think the warning has more to do with people getting a medical procedure done in a non regulated non medical setting without evidence-based guidelines on safety, and without clinicians who are educated to use evidence-based best practice.

I think the elective ultrasounds and cutesy videos are frivolous and silly, but I also wouldn't start panicking if you got one or listened to a Doppler a couple times.

mmo2112 · December 2014

Not trying to stir the pot (promise!), just wanted to share my doctor's advice:

At my appointment this week, I asked my OB about fetal dopplers and the FDA warning(s) and told her I was concerned because I'd been using one 1x-2x a week. She smiled, kind of rolled her eyes, and said they are totally safe (her words: "You really don't need to worry; you are not hurting the baby."). She went on to say that her biggest concern with the home dopplers is that women send themselves into panic mode when they can't find the heartbeat.

I forgot to ask her about elective ultrasounds at the appointment, so I emailed afterward. An advice nurse responded: "A 3D u/s is totally up to you and is not harmful to the baby."

So, there you go. Take it or leave it. I'm sure doctors elsewhere have different opinions. Never hurts to hear other professional perspectives, though.

Happy Thursday, folks.

alisina · December 2014

I'm limiting exposure to Doppler and ultrasound to what the midwife does in her office (she will switch to fetoscope once possible) and one u/s at 20 weeks. Though there is no concrete evidence to say they are harmful, there is also no concrete evidence to say they don't have any negative effects. From what I've read, the wave frequencies have increased over time and have never been thoroughly studied. That being said, plenty of normal babies are born after numerous u/s...

bossybluejay · December 2014

smorin7888 said:

I understand where you're coming from! I chose to only have my 8 week and 20 week ultrasound so eliminate unnecessary sound waves. I've been using my intuition to guide me through this pregancy while keeping science out. It's been working well for me

Why are there people this stupid in world. WHY

avazirian · December 2014

I just read this article the other day someone posted it. my MIL wants me to do the 3D ultrasound so bad but I think I am going to pass now after reading. I am fine with my Dr doing theirs.

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