Anatomy Scan?

I had the anatomical ultrasounds with both my pregnancys. I felt that it was a much smaller risk to do that and some blood tests and skip the amniocentesis but the baby was still being screened for some potentially serious problems (Down's syndrome, other major organ deformities, etc.)

I always wondered about the effects of sonograms. I feel
that 20 years from now we might now. I would probably
do the anatomy one and that would be it for me. Any more
seem unnecessary, unless there is a problem. Hope that
help.s

a sonogram does not have any effect on the baby. I had twins via IVF and therefore had to have a sonogram every week for 5 months and then at 6 1/2 months it was done every week again. My boys are just fine, they were born healthy and both over 5 1/2 lbs. The anatomy scan it the best of them all. You'll go home with pictures of your baby you will know exactly how big the baby is. it's really the best sonogram of them all. they measure each bone, head and chest, you can find out the sex if you want. You will see your baby. It's really great!! go for it!!

Personally- I declined any non medically necc. stuff. I'm surprised you got talked into the extra ones. I knew I wouldn't abort regardless and would just worry myself sick if they started giving me percentages of likelihoods.

But I did allow the 20 week sonogram if that's the one you mean. They have to do a bunch of measurements and stuff and it was reassuring to see my live moving around baby in there. I really rather liked it and it was special for us. I don't think there was any potential harm in it, especially cause I didn't put my baby through any other kind of stressful testing. I did keep the gender a surprise though (and what a surprise it was!).

So of course, it really is up to you. But if you have an inner voice speaking against it, then go with that. No need to do things you might later regret. Trust yourself and your instincts on things- but be sure to center your thoughts in prayer or meditation first so that it really is your inner voice and not your emotional/anxious one that tricks us at times.

Either way, keep in mind wholistically that whatever is meant to happen will indeed happen despite intervening forces. Best wishes, N.

Hi D.-Congratulations on your pregnancy. With my first I also was a bit nervous but now I've done it twice--just had my second. The anatomy scan is very important--most probably everything is fine with the baby but they need to check on the anatomy to see that all is in fact doing well. It can be a wonderful thing to see your little one growing inside. Our specialist took pictures of the babies feet and hands for us. Unless there are complications, there shouldn't be any need for further scans after this one. I live in England where its a little bit different. They do two routine scans in the 9 months--one at 12 weeks and another at about 20 weeks and thats it.
Good luck and enjoy this time!
E.

US is really VERY safe for the baby. The anatomy scan is really beneficial to know if there are any major problems with malformed organs, etc. So, it's really up to you, but it seems better to know about these potential things before hand because if there is something wrong, they may be able to give you time to prepare mentally, as well as prepare for what may need to be done medically when the baby is born for the best interests of the baby's health.

D.-
I'm due in two weeks and was also a little disturbed to find out in the beginning of my pregnancy that ultrasound waves haven't been proved to be 100% safe. While I would have liked to avoid them as much as possible, I did have bleeding and a low placenta earlier in my pregnancy which caused my doctor to do more ultrasounds. Even though I've done no other prenatal testing except bloodwork, I did want the 20 week u/s. Our scan showed that potentially our baby could have a problem with one of the kidneys. So, now we've had more ultrasounds to monitor the kidney and everything is ok. However, there are other conditions that might require immediate treatment to the fetus or to the baby upon delivery. That's why I think the benefits of the anatomy scan outweigh the potential concerns. This is a choice you need to make for yourself.
FYI - While the doppler (to hear the heartbeat) is typically used for a quicker period of time, the waves are actually more intense than those for an ultrasound. So, if you are concerned about the ultrasound waves, you probably want to limit the use of the doppler also.
-T.

Sound waves have been repeatedly researched, and absolutely no negative effects have been discovered. Some argue that if you plan to have the baby no matter what, then what's the point? But I think that if there is any chance that there may be a medical issue, then you should have that anatomy scan. In all likelihood, your baby is 100% perfect and you won't need another sonogram. But what if there was something you needed to know? Knowing certain things can help you plan better. Ex: I had a marginal previa, and needed to be careful about heavy lifting and vigorous movement. My son was born big and strong, but it was good that I knew to be extra gentle with myself during the last 2 trimesters! Another friend of mine knew, in advance, that her daughter's intestines were not completely formed. She knew that her baby would need to spend some time in the NICU, and her doctors were ready to help her from birth. Again, all ended up just fine. Her daughter did great! But knowing about the issue helped her daughter, and her as well. She had time to get used to the fact that her daughter would need extra help at first.

It also helps you, to put your mind at rest about your baby's well being. Even when all is well, you see your strong, perfect baby and become even more bonded to him or her.

I am not a doctor, just a mom. But from my point of view, I loved the sonagrams. I felt connected to the baby and, being an older mother with high risk issues, was certain each time that my baby was healthy. I don't know about you, but if issues existed, I wanted to know about them before delivery day so the delivery room could be a happy place. I think this is truly a question for an expert on "the waves", but personally I always looked forward to the experience. I have 3 children ages 11, almost 10 and 5. We also live a fairly clean lifestyle, and I never give my children unnecessary medications. We visit a naturopath and chiropractic kineseologist regularly. I never considered that the sonograms would put my child in harms way.
Good luck.
Good luck.

You can find scientific reports talking about the damage of sonograms to babies (especially in the British midwifery literature) just as you can find reports saying it's safe. Information is always conflicting.

We had 1 doplar check of our baby's heartbeat and no sonograms. I wanted a home birth, but ended up with a c-section. Having the c-section had nothing to do with not having a sonogram.

If it was me, I wouldn't do the anatomy scan. I think you and the baby have had enough already. If you are into a holistic lifestyle, including medicine, then you probably have many ideas about why sonograms might not be 100% o.k.

When I was pregnant with my first child I had 9 or 10 ultrasounds (because of my health problems). She is 21, in college and doesn't glow in the dark or anything! Relax, you and your baby will both be fine. Ultrasounds use sound waves to create the images, not radiation or anything else harmful.

I did have the anatomy scan and 1 more. I think the anatomy one is important, because they look to see if every thing is developing properly. They don't just look for the sex.

If you feel strongly, have this one and decline anymore.

Wow - though I don't think the sonograms are dangerous (after all, your baby is constantly exposed to sound waves. Your womb is probably the loudest part of your body!!!), I wouldn't have any unnecessary one. HOWEVER, I think the anatomy scan is actually really important. They check to make sure all the organs are developing as necessary, check for skeletal defects, etc. The other scans are just to determine size, so I would skip the rest of them.

Im not sure what an anatomy scan is but I had a high risk pregnancy and for 7 months I had an ultrasound a month. I was concerned about all the ultrasounds and the doctor told me that the soundwaves are not strong enough to harm the baby. My son came out perfect. I don't think you have anything to worry about.

Why are they doing it? Do they think there is a problem? If you had a reason behind the decision then you would understand their reasoning. If it is just "for the fun of it" talk to your doctor and tell them you don't want to do it. Ask more questions before doing it or ruling it out! A.

D., I had to have sonograms every two weeks during my pregnancy, my poor son had no privacy! I was high risk & needed to be VERY closly monitored to make sure he was doing ok. Those sonograms were a lifeline & saver to both me & my baby. He is now a very healthy happy 18 month old.

Hi D.,

I am into the holistic lifestyle and did not have ANY sonagrams. I had a mid-wife who used the old, tried and true methods. I did no drugs and I gave birth naturally without a c-section. Once you decide that's how you want to go, you have to find a supportive network of natural women who are in the field to help you carry out your plan. I wrote a birth plan, but I was flexable, because as in life anything can happen. But the support of these women helped me stay on track.

If not you'll end up with enducement (so painful), so you need drugs (mind numbing and you must recover from them) and than a c-section, (the drugs stops you from having the strength to push and now the baby must come out in a hurry) to recovery. You have a beautiful baby in your hands, but you're having headaches, backaches, and not feeling steady on your feet.

Many women want natural births for their babies but the atmosphere of many maternity wards is rush-rush, drugs, and out of the hospital. It begins with a million sonograms that are unnecessary, but are charged to your medical provider.

Hi D.,
Congrats on the pregnancy. All I can tell you is that a friend of mine was considered high risk when she was pregnant......she had NUMEROUS sonograms and her baby is now 1 1/2 and is completely healthy and one of the smartest kids I know. I would try not to worry too much about it and do what you feel is best for you and your baby. Good Luck!!
E.

You should deffineatly get the sonograms!!! They are unevasive to both you and your baby and totally necessary. Not only is it just to check the sex of the baby, it's to dtermine if the brain has grown, kidney's are in good shape, the spinal cord, and the embilacal cord is getting enough blood to your precious one.

Hi,

I did only the minimal amount. My mother is a labor and delivery nurse and a holisitc nurse practitioner. She states that there are effects on the unborn fetus (that our medical establishment have not yet acknowledged) nevertheless, only the minimal as may be advised.

C.

Personally I do the scans. You need to know the anatomy is as it should be so that if there is a problem, it can be dealt with when the best success is optimal. As my old doctor once said, sonograms aren't to see the sex of the baby. It is a gruesome thought if you think about it because the point is to look for potential problems, defects, etc. Just so you know but without the ultrasounds the doctors wouldn't know if your amniotic levels were where they should be, the kidneys and liver were growing, the heart's 4 chambers were working, there was no fluid on the spinal cord or brain, the lungs were developing, etc. If the lungs don't develop fast enough, then medical intervention needs to take place in the form of you taking steroids so that they CAN mature allowing your baby to breath when he/she is born.

I am all for avoiding unnecessary tests. I don't do the blood tests that look for the things that would result some people to terminate their pregnancies. To me, those are unnecessary because I would accept my child regardless but it is imperative to know the baby is developing and growing the way he/she should.

I don't know how many weeks you are but I know of people who let's say the sonograms were extremely necessary but they wouldn't have known had they not looked.

Well, allow me to be the sole naysayer of responders, especially since you list yourself with a holistic lifestyle. Why would you be having this procedure done? What would you do differently as a result of what it tells you? If you have no answers to those questions, then I would question the necessity of the procedure. I gave birth to four children at home with no unnecessary medical interventions either during pregnancy or labor and birth. I continue to believe that's the best way to bring children into the world. Just my opinion! (Which may already be too late!)

D.,
Sonagrams/Ultra Sound are sounds humans cannot hear. So far, no detectable problems from them - considered as safe as you can get - and much safer than invasive measures.

I believe the anatomy scan is just another ultrasound/sonogram, and all they do is make sure that all the parts are there. I've been through one, and it is no more uncomfortable than any other scan -and if you are doing it while you're not so big, then it's better. :)

Good LUck!
M.

Hi D.,
Ultrasounds are not necessary and don't improve the health of your baby. They aren't actually recommended. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists - the foremost authority on women's reproductive health in the US does not recommend using ultrasound routinely in each pregnancy. Women who think that their doctors are following some medical recommendation by performing ultrasounds are mistaken. And ACOG recommends avoiding ultrasound altogether in the first trimester when the organs, and the female fetus' eggs that will make her babies one day, are forming.
There isn't a "need" to check the baby's anatomy, as if there is a problem, the ultrasound cannot do anything to improve the baby's health - it is a screening tool and not a treatment. Babies are not being born healthier due to the use of ultrasound.
With my first pregnancy, I was not as well informed, had 5 ultrasounds - 3 of which I really didn't need. With my 2nd baby, just the ultrasound to guide the needle during my amnio. The doctor performing that couldn't quite comprehend that I wouldn't be coming back in several weeks for a Level II
While there are no definite short term risks proven, long term risks are still questionable, and we do know that the fetal cells are affected by the sound waves used, we just do not know how. If you visit Mothering magazine's site, www.mothering.com, you can search for articles about ultrasound
Good luck

well since you already had the 3, i wouldnt personally worry. i assume you got the first to determine fetus size which is important in regards to those blood tests being accurate. but technically, that scan, and your other 2, werent necessary. if you were concerned about ultrasounds in general, those are the ones you should have skipped. as for the anatomy, that is really the only important scan. if there were any issues visible on the scan, your doctor would be better prepared at birth to have any necessary medical equipment or specialists on hand.

pretty much everyone gets the scans. there shouldnt be a worry for having one or 2 scans. the main worry would be for someone owning a machine, scanning weekly. even that is controversial as far as what, if any, harm would result. tihngs are often not detected until the anatomy scan. heart issues especially would rather be detected before birth, rather than wait until your baby who appears fine at birth, starts to have issues. the delay could have consequences.

dont worry about the scan, when you see your baby on the screen appearing healthy, you will feel reassured they are healthy, and that will take a weight off your shoulders, rather than the unknown. good luck

Both of my pregnancies were considered high risk therefore I had to undergo many ultrasounds and most of them were level 2. We found out the sex of our girls way before we would've know with having had them. The only negative thing I had heard about ultrasounds were the intense ones people were having done to see their baby up close. Maybe you could discuss this with your doctor or the ultrasound technician, I'm sure they would be accomodating. Good luck!

it's a personal choice...think about the future in another way. you may want to have the anatomy scan (is that ultrasound as well?), it let's you know that the baby is growing properly. wouldn't you want to be prepared if it's not and you have to handle a new situation...
reiki master ( so pretty holistic myself)of girls ages 14 yr and 9 yr.
www.whitelightandhealing.com