How Many Ultrasounds Are Safe to Have?

Hello Jennifer. Most Doctors will agree that there is no single "safe" number of ultrasounds, as it depends upon the pregnancy. An OB may order 10+ ultrasounds for a woman carrying a high-risk pregnancy, but would never order that many for a non-eventful, healthy pregnancy. OBs order ultrasounds based upon medical necessity.

My best advice is to contact your physician and ask if s/he has any concerns about getting the 3-D ultrasound. (I'll bet s/he doesn't have a problem...but it will depends upon your pregnancy and your OB's philosophy of medical risk.)

Jennifer,

Ultrasounds are completely safe. When I was pregnant with my twins, I had an ultrasound EVERY time I went to the doctor, plus additional Level 2 ultrasounds and growth scans (I think I had about 20 by the time by babies were born). An ultrasound sends out waves of sound that bounce back, creating an image of your baby. There is no harm done at all.

Congratulations on being pregnant!

Hi Jennifer, I had a total of 8 ultrasounds during my last pregnancy. I had gestational diabetes and history of having large babies, so they kept checking the size of the baby. The 4 ultrasounds that I had in the beginning stages were pretty quick, done by my midwife and then I had the regular long one at 20 weeks, then at 28, 34 and 37 weeks. These were all long, done by the ultrasound tech. I talked to the ultrasound tech. because I was also concerned, but she said there is nothing to worry about. She's been doing ultrasounds for over 30 years and never there was a problem.

My baby is 5 weeks now and healthy.
Good luck and congratulations on your new baby!
Yvette

I am an RN and Masters degree student in midwifery. The official answer is that ultrasound is safe. However, although FDA says ultrasound is safe in unlimited amounts for medical purposes, it does discourage the use of ultrasound for entertainment only (3-D/4-D stores). FDA cites tissue changes and unknown long term effects of ultrasound as reason to avoid excessive ultrasound exposure. (http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm095508... ).
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2005-08/aiou-tar08...

http://www.marchofdimes.com/professionals/14332_1167.asp

Currently the FDA is investigating a link between multiple (>2) ultrasounds and autism and/or cerebral changes. This is information that was given in a lecture at UIC from an epidemiologist who works at the FDA. I couldn't find any info about it online but we were briefed in detail about avoiding excessive ultrasound use.

Keep in mind that the doppler device that most doctors and nurse-midwives use to listen to the heartbeat is also an ultrasound so that is even more ultrasound exposure.

I have never heard of an ultrasound because baby is low in someone's pelvis. I would be leery of extra ultrasounds because they often "find" problems that are not really there, resulting in tons of additional visits/ultrasounds and not improving anything. I think doctors who have in-house ultrasound especially overuse ultrasound because it's convenient and finanically beneficial to them.

Good luck with your pregnancy.

I'm currently in the midst of my 2nd high risk pregnancy. With this one and my first pregnancy, I had ultrasounds every other week throughout the entire pregnancy due to my issues and complications. My first child was an absolutely healthy child and I am completely confident that the current child I am carrying will be fine as well. In my case, the ultrasounds were performed by my ob/gyn, were of a short duration, and were deemed medically necessary.

The only question I would have would be why do you *need* a 3D ultrasound? If there is not a medical need or purpose for a 3D or 4D, then personally I'd skip it. Also, if you do decide to go with the 3D please make sure that someone who is extensively trained in sonography conducts it, not just some vanity shop who is in it for the money and the nostalgia of it all.

I had 2 ultrasounds every week from week 20 to week 36 and 3-d ultrasounds monthly. My twins ran the risk of TTFS since they're identical and shared a placenta. I asked the same question and was told by both the specialist and the OB that ultrasounds aren't harmful to your baby. I'm not a professional but hope that eases your mind a little.
Jenny

I am not a professional but thought this might help you feel better. I had 9 ultrasounds with my second daughter and she's now a healthy 17 year old in all AP and honors classes and has a 99.8 grade point average. No side effects that we could tell.