Ultrasounds during pregnancy have become much more common than they used to be, and for good reason: they let you see your baby in great detail while giving your doctor a clear view of what’s going on with your growing belly. While it might seem harmless and essential for women who are pregnant, ultrasounds actually pose some risks to both the mother and the unborn child. Furthermore, there is no research that proves that having an ultrasound will increase a baby’s chances of developing any kind of developmental disorder or illness. Therefore, it’s important to understand exactly why you should think twice before allowing your obstetrician or midwife to perform an ultrasound on you during pregnancy.
What is an ultrasound during pregnancy?
An ultrasound is a medical imaging technique in which a high-frequency sound is used to create an image of the inside of the body. During pregnancy, your doctor may perform an ultrasound to check on fetal growth and development, as well as to assess your health, anatomy, and other risk factors.
In some instances, your doctor might even use ultrasounds to detect an early sign of pregnancy. Your doctor will usually perform ultrasounds when you’re between 12 and 22 weeks pregnant. During this time, your baby is particularly small, and the ultrasound’s high-frequency sound provides your doctor with a clear view of the baby’s organs and tissues.
Why is a sonography done during pregnancy?
As discussed above, sonograms are similar to ultrasounds, but instead of producing a still image, it’s a moving image that’s often used to look for and diagnose problems in the baby’s organs. It’s often used to detect the health of the baby’s brain, heart, and other vital organs. Due to the high frequency and high intensity of ultrasound waves, the image created is sometimes clearer than a normal ultrasound image.
This makes a sonogram a great tool for identifying and diagnosing abnormalities, like structural abnormalities in the baby’s heart, certain types of brain abnormalities, and chromosomal abnormalities like Down syndrome.
Pros of Ultrasavement
While pregnancy ultrasounds may be costly and time taking, they generally aren’t harmful to either the mother or the unborn child. Furthermore, there is no research that proves that having an ultrasound affects a baby’s chances of developing any kind of developmental disorder or illness.
Therefore, it’s important to understand exactly why you should think twice before allowing your obstetrician or midwife to perform an ultrasound on you during pregnancy. First and foremost, ultrasounds during pregnancy don’t give your baby any real advantages. While it might seem like an impressive feat, the ultrasound does not allow your doctor to “see” your baby’s heart beating or other internal organs in motion. Instead, it’s simply a way for your doctor to get a clear look at your baby from a distance. It’s definitely a great way for the doctor to check on your baby, but it’s not helpful for your baby in any way.
Should you have an ultrasound during pregnancy?
The only time you should really consider having an ultrasound during pregnancy is when your doctor is concerned about your health or wants to check on the health of your baby. For example, if you have certain health conditions that might put you at greater risk if you’re pregnant, or if your doctor is concerned about your baby’s health, you might consider having an ultrasound.
Your obstetrician or midwife will generally recommend an ultrasound between 12 and 16 weeks of pregnancy. This is because your baby is particularly small at this point in the pregnancy, so an ultrasound will help your doctor see the baby clearly. At some point, your doctor will recommend a sonogram or ultrasound between 18 and 22 weeks. At this point, your baby is about a month and a half old, so an ultrasound will let your doctor see your baby’s growing anatomy in great detail. Also, ask your doctor if you need a 3D ultrasound or a 4D ultrasound.
Should You Delay Ultrasound?
Generally, no. In many states, there are laws that require doctors to provide a sonogram or ultrasound to women who are pregnant. So, if your state requires you to have an ultrasound, you’ll likely be forced to have one, whether or not you want one. Although ultrasounds are generally safe during pregnancy, there are some rare circumstances that make them dangerous. For example, if the ultrasound machine isn’t properly sterilized or the technician isn’t properly trained, the ultrasound can pose a risk to both you and your unborn child.
