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I had 5 ultrasounds during my pregnancy. One was elected (at 12 weeks). I had the others at 7, 20 and 36 weeks(x2) and they were all ordered by doctors and all were performed by medical professionals.

I don't think there is any harm in the "discouraging" it, but I also do not think there is that much harm in getting 1 extra ultrasound either. I do agree that they should always be performed by a medical professional though.

I had four ultrasounds during my pregnancy, all ordered by doctors. I felt more comfortable doing them with medical professionals, rather that going to an elective place where I couldn't be sure that the person performing the ultrasound was trained in how to do it.

In short, I think it's good that they are discouraging the non-medical use of ultrasounds.

Meh I had one at almost every OB appt--most were about 2 minutes, just to c heck the HB and baby's positioning. I wasn't high risk or anything. I would be very disappointed if I wasn't able to have the same with my next baby!

Man, I had a ton with E...and I opted into an elective one with this baby just for my personal peace of mind in the first trimester. The place I went to only hires registered, certified sonographers. So....wasn't concerned about some Jo Bob running the machine.

That being said, i think the FDA in general just doesn't seem to like the idea of elective houses because it takes away from the medical purpose of such diagnostic equipment in the first place and can make them seem more casual than they often are. One or even two extra scans doesn't even hit my radar to be a concern--people don't exactly have weekly appointments at elective scans, either, so....

I'm curious about the Doppler and what issues that can cause? I used it a lot with my son. With my son I also got a 3D scan but it was done at the hospital and I didn't request it. I'm sure like most things of this nature there is minimal risk but they don't have enough data on the newer boutique equipment to feel comfortable with it.

@MrsMccarthy: From the FDA -- "Similar concerns surround the OTC sale and use of Doppler ultrasound heartbeat monitors. These devices, which are used for listening to the heartbeat of a fetus, are legally marketed as "prescription devices," and should only be used by, or under the supervision of, a health care professional.

"When the product is purchased over the counter and used without consultation with a health care professional taking care of the pregnant woman, there is no oversight of how the device is used. Also, there is little or no medical benefit expected from the exposure," Vaezy says. "Furthermore, the number of sessions or the length of a session in scanning a fetus is uncontrolled, and that increases the potential for harm to the fetus and eventually the mother."

Personally, I didn't buy a doppler for home, because I didn't want to worry myself in case I couldn't find the hb one day. I just trusted that the baby was growing and healthy, and my midwives would diagnose anything if there was an issue. Such a personal choice!

yea, i'm with you on this one (but i also ate and did all those things during pregnancy i had a ton of medically necessary ultrasounds during my pregnancy, and while i realize the FDA is not commenting on those, I'm not entirely sure its statement is clear enough to ensure that everyone will understand exactly what they are condemning and why. Like it may cause pregnant women to resist ultrasounds their doctors deem necessary, etc.

This also strikes me as a bit alarmist, but given the U.S.'s pattern of treating pregnant women like they should be placed in a 10 month long bubble, it doesn't exactly surprise me. I've never heard of someone getting a ton of ultrasounds on the black market or anything, but maybe that happens somewhere...

@littlejoy: um, wow. if anyone ever gave me a gift like that....yea, just wow! I've heard of people going and getting an elective u/s to find out the gender early, but that's just once, and most of the places are (around here anyway) reputable.

I realize that's the message they were trying to convey, but i think the statement could have been more clear and direct. and i can see your perspective, but i also just see it as one more "don't do this while pregnant" admonition...as if the laundry list wasn't long enough already!

I don't really disagree with you, i just don't know that most pregnant women will get that message out of this statement

@T.H.O.U.: I would likely question a doctor if it was standard practice to perform 10-12 ultrasounds during a normal pregnancy. To my original response, I think there's a difference between that and someone who needs that many to ensure a healthy pregnancy. In that case, the benefit outweighs any potential risk.

I've heard that the machines used in boutiques can be higher frequency and the techs can be less skilled. I think the word discourage is good because it doesn't say don't do this or it will harm your baby. It's seems to me it's more of a "we don't regulate non medical systems and there isn't enough data on them for us to know if they are safe" type of stance. By and large I think the FDA are pretty lenient so whilst I wouldn't panic or assume the home Doppler or non medical ultrasounds did a wink of harm I would definitely take it into account going forward and keep it to a minimum until we know more. I don't think choosing to get one here and there is a big deal but people who get a ton or spend hours on them might want to reconsider for future pregnancy. Or they might not and that's okay too.

@littlejoy: a lot of People find it very exciting to see their baby moving and smiling or sucking its thumb! Some people can't have SO or family members present during an US in a medical office or they don't feel they have a positive experience during their original US. It's totally fine that you feel differently but try not to hurt the feelings of those who differ opinions with you either. It's very subjective. One persons creepy is another persons joy.

@MrsMccarthy: I loved seeing our baby in the u/s!! It was amazing. I don't think I said anything about other people finding joy in that.

Photos and videos are not creepy. We are 2,200 miles away from our family, and we loved being able to share images from our u/s with them. It made us all feel a lot closer.

I was talking about creepy gifts ... Like this! It's a 3d ultrasound baby doll. I can see only a few instances where something like this would be non-creepy.

And, to your point ... Not enjoying the u/s. Our anatomy scan was very "meh". The tech sucked, but she was qualified, and the doctor came in to say that everything looked great. So while I would have loved extra photos, and a warmer experience, the u/s served it's purpose. It's exactly what the FDA is trying to dissuade: taking peeks at the baby with no medical reason. Without a strong benefit, I just don't see a reason. That's my opinion, and I think it's amazing we live in a country where women can make their own choices about their pregnancies and care options.

I went to a boutique place for S cause the midwife didn't do them. I'm very happy to have that dvd of her, since she ended up stillborn. I have evidence that she lived. I don't think it should be regulated.

@MrsMccarthy: I was going to get this for your stocking!! Of course, I never want to hurt anyones feelings. Seeing my babe in my belly was just amazing!!

@Dandelion: I am sure that's such an amazing treasure for you!!! One of my friends had a stillbirth, and shared a beautiful article last week about how photographs and ultrasounds should be embraced. Exactly what you shared ... evidence.

I understand and support this ruling. I do think that if someone WANTS an ultrasound and their provider doesn't do them, like @Dandelion, then they should be able to pay to have one done at an actual medical imaging center with trained techs. That option should be available for anyone who wants one.

My midwife didn't do them herself, but she sent us to a medical center for an anatomy scan at 20 weeks where we paid (or, our insurance paid) like $150 for it, with trained technicians.

I actually declined the use of a Doppler during my pregnancy entirely, since I had some concerns about repeated exposure and dopplers are actually stronger than ultrasounds. My midwife typically used a Doppler but honored my choice and used a fetascope once I was far enough along. I didn't get to hear the heartbeat until my second tri, but that was my choice and I was fine with it.

@ShootingStar: Pretty much exactly what you said I had one elective and many medically-necessary ultrasounds due to GD and I have a healthy 13 month old. The elective was done at a place with all medically trained sonographers.

@Kemma: We went to one "non medically neccessary" u/s for gender. The tech told us that they aren't allowed to tell you anything medical, only show you the images and give you the sex. No measurements, heart rate or anything like that. So that keeps them from being in a situation where they see something abnormal, they just leave that to the OB's.

I totally get that there are unneccessary reason's for getting u/s but I am not worried one bit by our choice to have one.

I found out my first had IUGR at a boutique place. They told me my placenta looked very mature and I should follow up with my doctor, if I hadn't done the elective, I don't think we would have caught it and it could have had a very negative outcome.