FDA warns against keepsake ultrasounds and fetal monitors

[jnett]

Just an FYI.  I'm a (pregnant) medical writer so I get all the FDA press releases that come out.  This one came today advising against getting medically unnecessary ultrasounds or using the at-home fetal heart rate monitors:

http://www.fda.gov/consumer/updates/keepsakevideo032408.html

Mostly this is like a lot of advise for pregnant women -- since we don't know if it will do harm, don't do it. But they do raise a point that the radiation from these devices does produce effects on the body and fetus.

My OB/GYN is a friend, and I take every chance I can get to convince her to give me an ultrasound -- I'm a bad example.

Jeannette
30 weeks!

[AshleysMom]

Man, I have a doppler and had a keepsake video done.  

I haven't used the doppler much since I felt him kicking, and even when I did I just made sure the heartbeat was there, then got the heck out.  I had the video done at a doctor's office.  Go figure.

Something new to worry about...

Thanks for sharing this though.

[Atlanta Girl]

thanks for the info.  Last u/s I had was the 18weeks one and I thought being 36 and all I should have another one in the third trimester (just to make sure everything is going well). My obgyn said there is no reason for you to have another u/s. I was upset.  I should probably just trust the doc.

thanks again!

[Tennesseegirl]

yea.. My ob told me the same thing a few weeks ago.. I guess its better just to be safe. He also said.. sometimes it cant be helped. but just to do it for pleasure of seeing the baby?  he wouldnt it do it!

[jnett]

But I'm sure those are medically necessary.

The FDA isn't saying that ultrasounds cause harm -- just that since they DON'T know FOR SURE if they could potentially cause harm, why buy them for fun's sake.

If ultrasounds were directly linked to some kind of defect or future medical problems for our kids, they would have had some definitive evidence by this point.

Please don't worry!

[cpatow]

yikes...I get weekly u/s right now!!!
Christina 32w