For the Photo Album: Baby's First Ultrasound

[3113]

Souvenir baby ultrasounds worry medical experts

LONDON, Feb 2 (Reuters Life!) - Parents anxious to have souvenir ultrasounds photographs or film clips of their unborn child in the womb should make sure they are done by professionals who follow strict safety guidelines.

Technological advances have enabled parents to get amazing high definition ultrasound images of their unborn baby and even CD-ROMs and DVDs that can cost up to 250 pounds ($490) at commercial companies. But experts said although there is no evidence that ultrasound can harm the developing fetus it should be used prudently.

"You should make sure the people carrying out the scans are properly trained to do it and that they have procedures in place to deal with any incidental findings," said Dr Kevin Martin, the president of the British Medical Ultrasound Society (BMUS).

Martin said the scans were intended for medical purposes and not to provide keepsake images for parents.

"The society feels that ultrasound was developed and is intended for medical diagnosis and any such scans should be endorsed by a medical practitioner," Martin added in an interview.

Doctors often give expectant parents a photograph of their unborn child taken during a routine ultrasound scan but many commercial companies are offering parents cutting edge images and moving pictures. A report in the British Medical journal on Friday said parent's desire for early snapshots in the womb have led to a rise in commercial companies offering what it describes as "boutique ultrasonography."

French and American experts share the concerns of BMUS.

"In the US, the FDA has long been opposed to non-medical ultrasonography," according to the journal.

Martin said the BMUS has a set of safety guidelines for the safe use of ultrasound equipment and the use of ultrasound in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy when the baby is more at risk of things going wrong.

"The society states that in the first trimester scans should not be carried out for the sole purpose of producing souvenir videos or photographs," said Martin.

"If people must have these things later in pregnancy, when there is a bit less risk to the baby, then the guidelines recommend that the output level of the machine is turned down to a lower level than you would normally use which the society would regard as a safe level," he added.

Is it me or does this all sound a little obsessive and weird? I mean, should photo albums for a new baby include an "ultra-sound" section along with "first word" and "first bath" and "first step" pictures? And what is a five-year-old going to think of the picture that you tell him/her is them "in the womb"? And when you're sitting with your son or daughter and their intended bride/groom, do you really want to flip through that album and say, "Look husband/wife-to-be! There's the ultra-sound picture. Wasn't your intended an adorable fetus?"

Maybe I'm just not getting it.

 

[rgraham666]

Some people like to show off their property.

 

[lipsofanangel]

I know my sister-in-law got a 3-D ultrasound when she was pregnant with my niece but I don't know who did it.

 

[Guest]

My sister has had several ultrasounds. This pregnancy, like her last, is filled with test after test and procedure after procedure. Her son's delivery was loaded with every high tech device on the market and a solid epidural. And she isn't even high risk.

I almost feel left out. My pregnancies were uncomplicated. I never had an ultrasound or amnio. I delivered without medication, without interventions -

But I don't have any pretty pictures for their baby books.

 

[Selena_Kitt]

My sister has had several ultrasounds. This pregnancy, like her last, is filled with test after test and procedure after procedure. Her son's delivery was loaded with every high tech device on the market and a solid epidural. And she isn't even high risk.

I almost feel left out. My pregnancies were uncomplicated. I never had an ultrasound or amnio. I delivered without medication, without interventions -

But I don't have any pretty pictures for their baby books.

The pictures aren't that pretty and are hardly worth it, if they're not medically necessary... there are docs who have them in-office and do one a MONTH!

It's insane.

 

[cloudy]

In my last pregnancy, I had both an ultrasound, and amnio. I wasn't quite 40, but I was nudging it pretty good. My doctor explained what they would be looking for, said that I was ultimately fairly low risk, since I'd had two uncomplicated, normal pregnancies before, and that it was my decision to go ahead, or skip the tests. Just to be safe, I went ahead and had the tests done.

There's something to be said for peace of mind.

 

[Selena_Kitt]

In my last pregnancy, I had both an ultrasound, and amnio. I wasn't quite 40, but I was nudging it pretty good. My doctor explained what they would be looking for, said that I was ultimately fairly low risk, since I'd had two uncomplicated, normal pregnancies before, and that it was my decision to go ahead, or skip the tests. Just to be safe, I went ahead and had the tests done.

There's something to be said for peace of mind.

Yes but that's a medical indication--technically you were "high risk"... over 35.

They are very useful tools when you NEED them... but these once a month "let's watch the baby!" sessions!? Nuh-uh...

 

[Guest]

In my last pregnancy, I had both an ultrasound, and amnio. I wasn't quite 40, but I was nudging it pretty good. My doctor explained what they would be looking for, said that I was ultimately fairly low risk, since I'd had two uncomplicated, normal pregnancies before, and that it was my decision to go ahead, or skip the tests. Just to be safe, I went ahead and had the tests done.

There's something to be said for peace of mind.

Agreed, lovely one.

 

[fieryjen]

I always thought it would be interesting to see an ultrasound of when I was still in the womb. I think there's nothing wrong with keeping them if you have the pictures, but to get "designer" ones specifically for that purpose does seem a little weird.

 

[cantdog]

Agreed, lovely one.

Ain't she the best?

 

[slyc_willie]

My wife was pretty excited about being pregnant, and insisted on an ultrasound right away. Then she had them done every few weeks or so. I have to admit, the development of our baby was pretty exciting for me as well, even if I didn't share the exact level of enthusiasm she did.

But, considering the ultrasounds are the only pictures I have, I'm pretty glad we got them.

 

[Vermilion]

My wife was pretty excited about being pregnant, and insisted on an ultrasound right away. Then she had them done every few weeks or so. I have to admit, the development of our baby was pretty exciting for me as well, even if I didn't share the exact level of enthusiasm she did.

But, considering the ultrasounds are the only pictures I have, I'm pretty glad we got them.

Why are they the only pictures you have Sly?
xx
V

 

[Elsie Grey]

People put some really odd things in baby books. One of my little ones stuffed a sequin up their nose and we called in mummy to get it out (legally we aren't allowed to do that) and she took it home to put in her baby book! A snotty bloody rolled up sequin and she wanted to glue it in as a memory! Gross or what? My colleagues and I were amused, amazed and more than slightly disbelieving.

If I had ultrasound pics then I would keep them but I wouldn't get them done especially.

Elsie

xxx

 

[English Lady]

I had an ultrasound ooooh, I think it was between 12-20 weeks (I honestly don't remember precisely.) and we were given the option to buy the pics. This procedure wasn't done purely so we could get the pictures but done to check the little one was developing properly. We've got the photos and they are a pleasant reminder -I don't think having them done simply for the sake of having them done is a good thing though -do you know how badly I needed the loo after mine?

 

[Guest]

My wife was pretty excited about being pregnant, and insisted on an ultrasound right away. Then she had them done every few weeks or so. I have to admit, the development of our baby was pretty exciting for me as well, even if I didn't share the exact level of enthusiasm she did.

But, considering the ultrasounds are the only pictures I have, I'm pretty glad we got them.