Ultrasounds are performed in about 70% of all pregnancies in the United States. There are a variety of reasons for using ultrasound. They are useful in determining the gestational age of the fetus and for medical diagnosis.
They also give parents a unique opportunity to see the baby while he or she is still in the womb. You get to see your baby and may even discover the gender. This technology has only been available for the last few generations.
Some women have begun to question the safety of routine ultrasounds in pregnancy. Ultrasound uses sonar technology to produce the image of the baby on the screen. Sound waves bounce off the baby’s body to produce the images. The same technology is used in Doppler devices used to listen to the fetal heart rate during prenatal visits.
The frequency of the sound waves varies from between 3 and 8 MHz. The lower the frequency, the deeper the sound wave can penetrate. This is believed by most doctors to be completely safe. However, no real long term studies have been done to determine the safety of an ultrasound scan on the fetus.
The critics of ultrasound recommend caution, only using the test when there are clear benefits to doing so. An example would be when a problem, such as low amniotic fluid levels. The original intent of ultrasound scans was to only use them when a problem is suspected. Now, the scans are routinely done even when there are no risk factors. I had ultrasounds with all four of my children.
The main issue is that the ultrasound waves heat up the baby’s tissues. A highly qualified technician is important for safety and minimizing the risks to the fetus. The strength of the machine is another factor. Some people feel that stronger machines are potentially more damaging. Others feel that a stronger machine means less exposure time and fewer scans.
If you decide to have an ultrasound, be aware of the possible safety issues. There are some things you can do to limit exposure and minimize the risks. Have the most qualified person do the scan of your baby. Only have an ultrasound when there is a clear reason for it. Avoid repeated scans of the baby, unless it is absolutely necessary.