Ultrasounds carry with them inherent side-effects and dangers. Many people say the risks are minimal and perhaps this is true, but the reality is that no one can definitely say what the effects of ultrasound are for a developing baby. The level of safety and efficacy of ultrasound has long been debated, although it seems to me that women are not made aware of this. They simply assume that ultrasounds are completely safe. I thought so until I did some reading on the subject. The World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology and the American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine have issued statements that "women should NOT have scans WITHOUT CLINICAL REASON." Why?? Ultrasounds use sound waves or electric fields to produce the picture of the baby. A sound wave is capable of making a change that is either thermal, vibrational or mechanical in nature. It causes heat to be generated in body tissues and the tiny bubbles inside the tissue may vibrate in reaction to sound waves. Research shows that, "sound waves cause interference to nerve transmission with resultant pathology (tissue damage). This occurs in the presence of sound waves or electric fields in the frequency of 0.5 mHz to approximately 70 Hz. Concerns are therefore raised for ultrasound which has a frequency of 3.44 mHz, measured in watts or megawatts per square cm of tissue exposed. Ultrasounds are especially dangerous in the first trimester when cells are rapidly dividing and are undifferentiated. It is the thermal, vibrational and mechancial changes that occur with ultrasound that may potentially cause a mutation of these rapidly dividing cells, resulting in retardation or damage to foetal growth. Studies suggest ultrasound may cause an increased incidence of miscarriage, neurological deficits, developmental delays including delayed speech, and dyslexia. The International Childbrith Education Association has maintained that "Ultrasound is most likely to affect development (behavioural and neurological), blood cells, the immune system and a child's genetic make-up."
Now, having said this, I completely realize that ultrasounds can serve a good purpose, if used in moderation. Of course they are helpful in determining things like a multiple pregnancy, to confirm foetal viability, imminent misscarriage or death of foetus, to detect foetal abnormalities, to detect foetal masses or placental abnormalities, and to identify any other possible problems. What I do not think they are healthy to be used for are 'just to see the baby another time'. I'm sure it's amazing, and I'll let you know how ours goes. Like I said, we're getting ONE to determine the sex and any foetal abnormalities (so we could prepare our hearts and minds).
Now to some more lighthearted updates-
How my baby's growing:
At 4 1/2 inches long (head to bottom) and 3 1/2 ounces, my baby is about the size of an avocado. In the next three weeks, she'll go through a tremendous growth spurt, though, doubling her weight and adding inches to her length. Her lower limbs are much more developed now. Her head is more erect than it has been, and her eyes have moved toward the front of her head. My baby's ears are close to their final position, too. Some of her more advanced body systems are working, including her circulatory system and urinary tract. Her heart is now pumping about 25 quarts of blood each day, circulating her total blood volume through her body many times. (By the end of my pregnancy, this will increase to about 190 quarts.) The patterning of her scalp has begun, though her hair isn't recognizable yet. Although closed, her eyes are moving (slowly), and she's even started growing toenails.
