Ultrasounds pregnancy risks

The general belief exists that diagnostic ultrasound DUS does not pose any risk to the pregnant patient nor to her fetus. Sonography or Ultrasound Examination is a diagnostic technique.

Other studies from the 90s when the ultrasounds were 7 times weaker showed increased risk of miscarriage or preterm birth.

Ultrasounds pregnancy risks. The general belief exists that diagnostic ultrasound DUS does not pose any risk to the pregnant patient nor to her fetus. Nonetheless ultrasound is a form of energy and as such demonstrates effects in biological tissues it traverses bioeffects. The physical mechanisms responsible for these effects are thermal or non-thermal mechanical.

Risks of ultrasounds. Though carrying out one or more ultrasounds during the pregnancy has many benefits it comes with certain downsides or risks as well. The first and most risk that ultrasound may pose to pregnant women is their inappropriate use.

Ask your doctor if prenatal ultrasounds have risks and you might hear The datas clear. Theyre unquestionably safe Yet an abundance of scientific literature clearly shows that ultrasounds present enough risks to a developing fetus to question the current standard of practice. Ultrasound scanning of pregnant women has been shown to significantly increase the likelihood of miscarriage preterm labour and even infant mortality.

Pregnant physiotherapists who provided ultrasound treatments for more than 20 hours per week were found to have an increased risk for spontaneous abortions. Ultrasound has become a widely used procedure that has the potential to provide medical information to pregnant women. However ultrasound isnt without potential risk and should be used carefully to ensure that babies and mothers benefit from the information it provides.

Procedures You May Want To Reject During Pregnancy. Submitted by Sally Dear-Healey PhD PPNE CCEBWI DoulaBWI Years ago X-ray was the diagnostic procedure of choice in pregnancy but today we understand more about the harmful effects of radiation so ultrasound is used as a safer alternative. What we do know today is that every medical procedure has inherent risks known and unknown.

Other studies from the 90s when the ultrasounds were 7 times weaker showed increased risk of miscarriage or preterm birth. One study included over 9000 pregnant women in two groups one which received a routine ultrasound at 16-20 weeks and one group who didnt. Ultrasound pregnancy risks are real.

Despite medical assurances of safety ultrasound is not just sound waves. In fact it is non ionizing radiation and many thousands of studies have confirmed that this type of radiation is harmful. As I researched the risks of ultrasounds I discovered that ultrasound raises the temperature of the tissue.

If there is overheating it can lead to cell death and slowing down of cell division. When your baby is so little that consists of a couple of cells having a few cells die will logically have a huge effect. Have advocated prudent use of ultrasound imaging in pregnancy.

Furthermore the use of ultrasound solely for non-medical purposes such as obtaining fetal keepsake videos has been discouraged. Ultrasound scanning of pregnant women has been shown to significantly increase the likelihood of miscarriage preterm labour and even infant mortality. Pregnant physiotherapists who provided ultrasound treatments for more than 20 hours per week were found to have an increased risk for spontaneous abortions.

Mistrust of Mothers Intuitions. The last and possibly greatest risk to ultrasounds is the medicalization of pregnancy. So many doctors and people in general view pregnancy as a condition that requires intervention and help.

The practice of ultrasound during pregnancy is highly controversial with authorities acknowledging that there are clear hazards as found in animal and cell studies. Nevertheless the routine practice continues with multiple scans encouraged in most prenatal settings even with low risk pregnancies because ultrasound hazards have supposedly not been confirmed by human studies. The general belief exists that diagnostic ultrasound DUS does not pose any risk to the pregnant patient nor to her fetus.

Nonetheless ultrasound is a form of energy and as such demonstrates effects in biological tissues it traverses bioeffects. The physical mechanisms responsible for these effects are thermal or non-thermal mechanical. Sonography or Ultrasound Examination is a diagnostic technique.

It is generally used in all branches of medicine including obstetrics. Ultrasound is the most secure and cost-effective method for diagnosing pregnancy and identification of various abnormalities in fetal development. Ultrasound imaging is the most widely used medical imaging method during pregnancy.

Fetal ultrasound imaging provides real-time images of the fetus. The ultrasound waves used to image the baby expose the baby to energy in the form of heat. Under some circumstances heat can lead to birth defects.

Thats why we adhere to a principle while performing ultrasounds called ALARA. As low as reasonably achievable. Thus ultrasound should be performed for specific indications in low-risk pregnancy18.

Biological Effects of Ultrasound. Ultrasound waves are known to affect tissues in two main ways. Firstly the sonar beam causes heating of the highlighted area by about one degree celsius.