Are ultrasounds harmful during pregnancy???

[hopefulLady]

I am into my 10th week and have had 3 u/s scans already ( all of them internal transvaginal scans).
A friend told me that having too many u/s scans are harmful for the baby :(

I read that ultrasounds are safe, or else the doctors would not be doing it from the 5th week onwards.
Is it true that more than 5 scans in your pregnancy leads to giving birth to baby with lesser weight??

Please please give your inputs.. I am confused now... i dont mean to get too many scans.. but now I am not sure of "what is actually too many here"

[hopefulLady]

WOW! thank you ladies!! Its so good to hear that its not harmful for the baby!!!

I think going forward I would be scheduled for a 12 week- a 20 week and maybe a couple more.. making it a total of 7-9 scans if everything goes fine..  

Spiket77 :
The reason I had 3 scans already is because last year I had miscarriage due to blighted ovum(empty sac). I never got to know till 10.5 weeks as the doctor did not do a scan on me.
So this time, I went in at 5.2 weeks, then at 7 weeks and another at 9 weeks to make sure the heartbeat is fine and that the baby is growing..
The next scan is scheduled at 12 weeks..



I feel so much better with all the answers! :) Thanks a bunch everyone!!

[Cassandrajane]

Nope my SIL had a scan every 2 weeks....
The only problem with her baby is behind in growth (Why she had so many scans) because of her Alcohol comsumption and medication she suppposedly needed but didnt.
If they were harmful they wouldnt do them at all... Xrays CAN be harmful because of the radiation as well as MRI scans and stuff.. but Ultrasounds are not :)

Everything is going to be okay

xx

[SantanL]

I understand your concern.
A doctor told me that they are the safest. (I am not sue he told me abt transvaginal, but...)
the only harm they can cause is, if the whole machine is dropped on you (hahahha)

relax
you'll be fine
Happy 9months!

[Ashelen]

I had to have a bunch of U/s with my daughter because I had to have surgery at 34wks and she was fine...and then with my son I had to take a beta-blocker so I was referred to a high-risk OB and had extra u/s as well...

I think that the reason that people consider them unsafe is that the sonic vibrations can irritate the baby if done every day (i.e. Tom Cruise) but that they're safe for diagnostic purposes on a regular basis. :)

[Majikat]

There have been studies that have shown low birth weights but..... I don't they do lol I had over 10 u/s in my last preg and I had a 9 pounder lol

[Spiket77]

If people think not having a 3D scan is weird, imagine the looks I get when I tell people I haven't had a ultrasound. HA! It just isn't something my midwife or I find to be necessary.
I should probably mention that I am not 'anti-ultrasound' before somebody jumps down my throat.

[Limonada]

sorry, I meant so Tom and Katie could view SURI....argh

[Spiket77]

Just wondering...
Why have you had 3 scans already? Are you high risk?

[Limonada]

They are generally safe - although I have read that the jury's still out on whether or not they should be used freely for non diagnostic purposes (ie. Tom Cruise purchasing his own u/s machine so that he and Katie could view Katie whenever they took a notion to).  

I didn't get a 3D u/s during either one of my pregnancies because, although it would be "cool", it wouldn't have served any diagnostic purpose.  I know this isn't a popular view as most people I know opt for the 3D u/s, but it's just my opinion.

[tarajanes]

Scans are perfectly safe during pregnancy,with my last pregancy I had to have many due to compications.dont worry its ok.

[fami_mas]

i'm not an expert, but dear, if they were harmful, they wouldn't have used them. plus, i know a friend who had a history of birth defects for unknown reason, so with her recent pregnancy, she have been having u/s scan and another kind of scan monthly to ensure that everything is progressing normally, and her baby is just fine, the baby is so healthy, he/she is one week more mature.

don't overthink everything you here, and always check with your doctor.

wish you a happy and healthy pregnancy.