Debunking Myths: The Safety of Ultrasounds for Your Baby

Expectant mothers experience a whirlwind of emotions, from joy to occasional doubt. One common concern is whether ultrasound examinations, recommended by doctors, may pose risks to their unborn child. Worries about low birth weight, developmental issues, or even dyslexia are among the fears circulating among pregnant women.

Understanding Ultrasound

Ultrasound, or ultrasound examination, is a widely used medical procedure. It serves multiple purposes, from checking fetal growth and identifying potential complications to satisfying curiosity about the baby's sex.

Pregnant women typically undergo regular ultrasound scans (USGs) under their doctor's guidance. These scans play a crucial role in estimating gestational age, monitoring fetal growth and development, and addressing any medical concerns promptly.

Despite the medical recommendations, persistent rumors claim that frequent ultrasounds could harm the fetus. This leads some expectant mothers to worry and question the necessity of these examinations.

Are Routine Ultrasounds Dangerous?

To address the concerns regarding ultrasound safety, it's important to understand the technology behind it. Ultrasound employs a device that emits high-frequency sound waves using a transducer. These waves generate images that help doctors monitor the fetus, amniotic sac, and placenta and identify any potential issues during pregnancy.

Typical routine ultrasounds include one in the first trimester to confirm pregnancy, identify the source of bleeding, and estimate gestational age. Then, one in the second trimester and two in the third-trimester help detect abnormalities in fetal development, assess growth, and check the amniotic fluid, placenta, or any other medical concerns.

However, the fear that frequent ultrasounds might harm the baby, resulting in low birth weight, developmental delays, or even dyslexia, is unsubstantiated. To date, there is no evidence to support these concerns, as babies born to mothers who underwent ultrasounds, whether once or repeatedly, did not exhibit significant differences in health.

The American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine emphasizes the overall safety of ultrasound but recommends it be used only when medically necessary. In other words, there must be a clear medical reason for undergoing an ultrasound, and these procedures should employ the lowest possible exposure dose.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) discouraged the non-medical use of ultrasound for entertainment purposes in its 2004 statement. This includes using ultrasounds solely for keepsake photos or videos. ACOG also noted that although there's no strong evidence of biological effects from sound wave exposure, future research may bring more insights.

In conclusion, ultrasound examinations should be conducted in line with the medical recommendations of healthcare professionals. It's vital to avoid non-medical ultrasounds to ensure the health and well-being of both mother and baby. So rest assured, your doctor's guidance on ultrasounds prioritizes safety and medical necessity, promoting a healthy pregnancy for you and your baby.

Reference:

American Institute of Ultrasound Medicine https://www.aium.org/resources/guidelines/obstetric.pdf

Are Ultrasound Safe? https://www.babycentre.co.uk/a1014487/are-ultrasound-scans-safe#:~:text=No%2C%20having%20an%20ultrasound%20won,bounce%20off%20your%20baby's%20body%20.

Can Having Repeated Ultrasound Scans During Pregnancy Affect My Baby? https://www.babycenter.in/x1045339/can-having-repeated-ultrasound-scans-during-pregnancy-affect-my-baby

Health effects of prenatal radiation exposure. Am Fam Physician https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20822083/