Pregnancy and Childbirth|Useful articles on pregnancy and childbirth

No body knows the long-term side effects of ultrasonography use. A lot of practitioners feel that the technology is perfectly safe as studies of infants and their mothers have not found any effects. Other practitioners are not so convinced of ultrasound safety and feel that judicious use is advised.

It should be remembered that x-rays were in use for 50 years before the public got aware of damaging effects. DES and thalidomide also were deemed safe and were later determined to be the factor of cancer, sterility and anomalies. Possibly the largest risk of overuse of ultrasound technology is that if an ultrasound raises a question of fetal well-being, invasive and high risk procedures and technologies may be instituted which do have clear risks to the mother or her baby.

STUDIES

Non-diagnostic ultrasound has demonstrated biological effects such as cell heating or thermal effects and cavitational activities using plants and animals. These experiments have had various outcomes and are difficult to compare with human outcomes. Also, diagnostic ultrasound uses far lower intensities. The current epidemiologic information detects no harmful outcomes from ultrasound use. Many researchers believe that the benefits of diagnostic ultrasound outweigh the risks. Human studies haven’t documented negative outcomes except for one study which showed increased fetal activity for the majority of exposed fetus when scanned with the Doppler.

OVERUSE OF TECHNOLOGY

Some consumer groups have wondered the need for ultrasound equipment in doctor offices. They claim that in order to pay for the equipment, physicians will order unneeded ultrasounds. Not only does this increase the exposure of unneeded technology, but it also elevates the total cost of care and may lead to further unnecessary and costly interventions. They claim that in order to pay for the equipment, physicians will order unneeded ultrasounds. Not only does this increase the exposure of unnecessary technology, but it also increase the total cost of care and may result to further unnecessary and costly interventions.