I follow the Bradley Method page on Facebook, and today they posted a link to the FDA's website about ultrasounds being harmful. They also cited the ACOG recommendation that you get no more than 2 ultrasounds of no more than 10 minutes each. Of course this freaks me out a little because I've had several during this pregnancy at different points. None were elective, only doctor recommended. Did you purposely limit ultrasounds?
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Nope, I didn't. I had them at 5 weeks, 7 weeks, 9 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 weeks, 19 weeks, 22 weeks and 26 weeks. They were all pretty short except for the NT scan and the anatomy scan. I liked the mental reassurance that they gave me and my son has no problems because of them.
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I did not. I had one at 6 weeks, 8 weeks, 12 weeks and 19 weeks. I wouldn't go out of my way to get MORE ultrasounds, but these u/s were all necessary and I feel like my doctor knows what she's doing so I listen to her instruction.
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I've had 5 because of a low-lying placenta, plus going over my due date! I'm not concerned!
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I had mine at 9, 13, 17 and will have another next week at 19wks. I figure the reassurance I get from them makes me worry so much less that the benefits outweigh any risks.
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@Running Elley: I had the same number, so that makes me feel better!
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My midwife practice generally limits them unless there is a reason to do more, so the norm is just two-- NT scan and anatomy scan. I ended up doing the anatomy scan twice because the baby wouldn't roll over, so I've had 3 and am not expecting any more. That's fine with me, but if there was a medical reason to do more, I wouldn't be worried about it. But I wouldn't have an elective one just to see the baby or whatever, just in case there is a very small risk. I see it like dental x-rays or something-- I wouldn't do extras just because, but if there is a need I see no harm.
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Nope, I had at least 4 or 5 I think. Welcomed any chance to take a peek at baby!
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@Foodnerd81: Same here!
@grizz: didn't have any reason to have any more than the 2 so that's what we had. We don't commonly practice late term u/s either unless there was concern at the anatomy scan.
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i didn't, the ob did-- we had a "normal" pregnancy, he did 1 transvag for the dating u/s at six wks, then the anatomy scan at 19 weeks. we paid for and did an elective 4d one at 32 wks.
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No, but I've never had to have a bunch either. I wouldn't get an elective one, that much I know.
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We had a bunch since I was high risk and had GD. I never had any concerns.
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Nope, my OB actually did one (a very quick one) at every appointment.
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I had one at every appointment, which was great for me, I was high risk and I got to see the babies. After my miscarriage, was so reassuring to see them move w heartbeats.
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No, but my practice doesn't do a whole lot anyways. I've had 3 so far, but the only reason for the 3rd one was because she stopped moving. I figure I'll only have 1 more before I deliver. If there are risks, the peace of mind and benefits of an ultrasound outweigh them.
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I got one at 10 weeks, 12 weeks, and 18 weeks for NT scanning. I hadn't felt baby kicking at 22 (?) weeks yet, so for reassurance my midwife did a quick u/s to ease my mind. I don't feel comfortable with elective ones though (the kind you pay for and get CD's). My sister got one thoguh and it's amazing how accurate the 3D ones are!
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I only had them when needed. I had the one at 12 and 20 weeks, plus an earlier one for bleeding, and one in my third trimester because lo was measuring big.
My sil had tons because she was a very high risk pregnancy, and her lo is very healthy.
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I got one at 6w and one at 10w at the RE's office. We skipped the NT scan but paid for an elective gender scan at 17w. We'll do the anatomy scan at 20w and then maybe one more elective 3d scan when he's a little bigger. So up to 5 in total. My husband works in radiology and has had no concern about me doing multiple scans and I haven't worried about them much either. I also own a home doppler, so this poor baby is getting lots of radiation...but I think me not stressing out is the better alternative.
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I think when all is said and done, I'll have 3 total: a dating one (at what ended up being 8 weeks), the NT scan (at 12 weeks), and then gender scan (whenever).
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I think I had 12 or more? We were going in for weekly BPP's due to growth issues. My little one seems fine so far!
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Nope, I didn't limit them.
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I only had the anatomy scan u/s at 20 weeks. I was gifted an elective 3D/4D u/s and had it at 29 weeks. It really connected DH to the baby and I don't regret it.
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We didn't purposely limit them, but our OB only scheduled as necessary. We had 2, the anatomy scan and an earlier one for spotting. We decided not to do the NT scan.
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@grizz: What was the concerns the article gave for limiting ultrasounds? I know I've heard Ina May Gaskin mention autism and neurological issues as something she feels could be caused by ultrasounds. I'm just curious what the ACOG is saying.
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No, I've actually had a lot so far.
4 weeks, 6 weeks, 8 weeks, 10 weeks and i've got one scheduled for 12 weeks.
Then i'll have one for gender and i'm sure at least one more along the way.
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@FarmWifeGina: The article cited that the effects were unknown, and ultrasound could cause tissue heating and cavitation.
This is the article: http://www.fda.gov/Radiation-EmittingProducts/RadiationEmittingProductsandProcedures/MedicalImaging/ucm115357.htm
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We've tried to. We declined the one at 12 weeks for numerous reasons. I had a dating one early on and one in the ER when I had first trimester bleeding. We had our anatomy scan and had to do a follow up because baby had an arrhythmia that concerned the specialist. That is about 2 more than I would have wanted to do but thankfully we are done with them.
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No limit-- I think we had 11 total. All necessary, except, arguably, the anatomy scan. I wouldn't have done ultrasounds just for fun, but I'm not worried about the effect the ones we did might have had.
@FarmWifeGina: As for the link to autism, I don't buy it. I know people on the autism spectrum who were born before ultrasounds were routinely used in maternal care, and others who were born before ultrasound machines existed.
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No. I've only had two and I had to force them to give me one (at 12 weeks). Otherwise just the anatomy scan. I wish I could get one more closer to the due date but I don't think it's going to happen.
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Ugh, I've had between 20-25 ultrasounds, due to being high risk and crazy-paranoid at the same time. I really, really hope ultrasounds don't cause any long-term damage, I do get nervous about it but at the same time, they were all through my Dr, never did any elective ones so I guess I just have to trust that it's going to be fine...
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No, for my second pregnancy I ended up with a lot since my midwife was checking her position at every appointment from 32 weeks on.
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@red_seattle: Yeah, I know. I just wondered if ACOG had new info that backed this up.
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@FarmWifeGina: I looked through ACOG's website and couldn't find anything more than the no more than 2 ultrasounds for 10 minutes each and no ultrasounds for 'psychosocial or entertainment purposes'.
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@grizz: It makes sense to me that u/s should be limited, but if it came down to something like having another BPP or an induction for being post dates like has happened with friends, I'd probably go for the BPP.
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I only had one, and it was an elective one to find the gender. The birth center I went to doesn't routinely do them, unless they suspect a need.
However, in any future pregnancies, not only will I not limit them, but I will have more than the normal amount.
Does it say why they are harmful?
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I didn't limit them. I had four done by the doctor for various reasons and two elective ultrasounds. I did talk to my doctor about it though before getting the elective ones done. I don't think any of them were that long though (maybe the longest was 15 but most were under 10).
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I had three with Miss A - a dating scan at nine weeks, anatomy scan at 22 weeks and a scan to check her position at 35 weeks (breech baby), the OB also did a series of quick scans when I had my ECV.
I think I read somewhere that ultrasound can have a negative effect on hearing and that an increased number of ultrasounds doesn't decrease the rate of infant mortality or improve birth outcomes (which I think is one of the arguments against an increased number of scans).
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I've had 3 so far and I'm supposed to have just one more to check size around 36 weeks. So I think I'm okay....
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I just followed my doctors recommendations. I also read that excessive amounts of ultrasounds werent the best for the baby but I so far havent seen anything conclusive that states they actually harm the baby,
In my case ultrasound saved my baby's life because thats how they found out I had no fluid and needed to be induced. In total I had 6 ultrasounds
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I had the NT, anatomy (x2 because LO didn't cooperate) and then one every two weeks until 37 weeks once I was diagnosed with gestational diabetes at 28 weeks, so nope, didn't limit them!
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43 comments