Prenatal ultrasounds have become a common test done in all trimesters of pregnancy to evaluate the health and well being of the baby. But are they as safe as you have been led to believe?
Prenatal ultrasound is done using a reflected sound wave to produce a picture of the baby, the placenta and the liquid that surrounds the baby.
These pictures can be in color and are also called a sonogram, echogram, ultrasound or scan. Prenatal ultrasounds don’t use x-rays or other types of radiations that has known harmful effects on the baby.
Doctors will also use the prenatal ultrasound in a combination of tests to evaluate for several different genetic issues such as Down Syndrome. In the first trimester a prenatal ultrasound can be recommended to determine how the pregnancy is progressing, to determine if there is more than one baby and how many, estimate the age of the baby and check for other birth defects such as brain or spinal cord problems.
In the second trimester a doctor might order an ultrasound to estimate the age of the baby, look at the size/position of the placenta and the amniotic fluid, determine the size of the baby, guide taking a sample of amniotic fluid, and look for neural tube defects or heart problems. In the third trimester physicians use a prenatal ultrasound to ensure the baby is breathing and healthy and check the size and position of the baby, placenta and amniotic fluid.
In the first trimester a prenatal ultrasound is usually performed trans-vaginally. In other words the ultrasound wand is placed into the vagina and the sound waves bounce off the baby through the cervix. In later stages of pregnancy the ultrasound is performed on the stomach of the woman using gel to conduct the sound waves.
Until the latter stages of the third trimester it will be necessary for the woman to have a full bladder during the test. This can be accomplished with any type of liquid and she should avoid urinating until after the test is completed. The urine in the bladder is used to expand the pelvic area and as a conductive area before there is enough amniotic fluid. When the ultrasound is done on the stomach then gel is used to help conduct the sound waves. You will be asked to remove your clothing or raise your shirt and lower your pants. The gel doesn’t cause a stain in the clothing and is easy to get out in the wash.
The technologist who does the test isn’t able to give you any information about the images but they are able to make a tape of the test so you can take it home as a keepsake. Sometimes the doctor will do the test and may give you information at that time or will wait until you are dressed and back in the office. This gives them time to more fully evaluate the test results and give you accurate information.
At this time there haven’t been any long term studies on the use of ultrasounds, dopplers or sonograms on the health of children which prove them safe. And, the American Medical Association recommends against the use of these studies unless they are medically necessary. So prenatal ultrasounds to confirm the sex of the baby, assess the gestational age, baby’s growth and size, multiple pregnancies or the babies presentation would be considered unnecessary.
Many medical professionals use the ultrasound technique for just these reasons.
Having an ultrasound is not a medically necessary procedure in an otherwise healthy pregnancy. Before you consider and agree to a prenatal ultrasound do your research and consider the potential risks. Making an informed decision about the health of your new child begins before hes born.
During both the conception process and throughout pregnancy it is important that hopeful moms maintain their physical well-being and as well as their psychological health.
This broad field of women’s health includes psychological issues surrounding mood, stress and relaxation, as well as physical areas such as infertility, nutrition, morning sickness, labor and delivery and more.
At Native Remedies you will find a comprehensive set of herbal remedies to help you manage conception and pregnancy – naturally and safely.
Enrich your life and the lives of others by learning Aromatherapy, Reflexology or Color/Crystal Therapy at the Alternative Healing Academy! Convenient and easy-to-handle payment plans are available!