Thursday 8 January 2015

FDA: Aviod fetal "keepsake" images

Our doula posted this link to Facebook today; I thought it might be of interest to readers who are expecting (or will hopefully be expecting soon!)


"Fetal ultrasound imaging provides real-time images of the fetus. Doppler fetal ultrasound heartbeat monitors are hand-held ultrasound devices that let you listen to the heartbeat of the fetus. Both are prescription devices designed to be used by trained health care professionals. They are not intended for over-the-counter (OTC) sale or use, and the FDA strongly discourages their use for creating fetal keepsake images and videos."

(My view: I had many scans (eight) when pregnant with AJ and they were all prescribed and administered by medical staff. No 3D or 4D ultrasounds. The ultrasound images provided information to our medical team, and since I was a worrier they also helped maintain maternal sanity. I never considered getting a commercial ultrasound because we were having so many medical ones, and anyway I don't see the point of having an optional scan. Its only purpose would be to show us what she looked like, and what she looked like was never an issue; we would love and welcome her regardless of looks. Anyway, we knew our baby was and would be beautiful - duh!)

Something to think about. 

12 comments:

  1. I saw this article too. I don't know how to feel about it. I did research it for a while because when I was in the Netherlands for the first weeks of this twin pregnancy, I had to have an ultrasound there. The fertility clinic here had requested for that to be done as it was my first ultrasound and they needed it for their records I guess. The Dutch hospital did not measure the babies or measure their heartrate. They just looked very quickly, said it all looked good and that there were 2 and that was all that was in their report for the Calgary clinic. The Calgary clinic then asked me why the crown rump length and heart rate were missing from the report so it was a complicated process of speaking with various doctors/nurses at the hospital, getting booked in for a new ultrasound etc. and the short of it is that the Dutch ultrasound policy is to only do the shortest possible ultrasound exposure until 12 weeks because of the risks associated with directing ultrasound waves at a fetus (heating of the tissue). They gave me some articles on it too and all of those said that the risk only exists in the fetal stage so I've felt pretty good about the biweekly ultrasounds I've had since the 2nd trimester (currently 28+2). Because we're having so many this time I am not doing an elective 3D one but I did have one with my son at UCBaby; it was just a fun way to involve my parents in the Netherlands who I missed dearly during that and this pregnancy. This way they were able to log in to a link UCBaby provides you with and they were able to see the ultrasound screen and hear the sound in the room too.

    Anyway, definitely interesting and food for thought since no one really considers ultrasounds harmful anymore. Thanks for posting :)

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    1. I imagine if there were a significant risk to ultrasounds we would have more definitive proof, so not something to lose any sleep over, though I did feel a moment of uncertainty thinking of our seven ultrasounds, especially as there never was any major issue with the pregnancy or delivery (although that wasn't for sure at the time). Even though AJ is right here beside me doing fine as ever. That's cool that your family overseas was able to be with you a bit during the pregnancy. It is hard for long distance family.

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    2. I know what you mean. I've had 8 so far with a 9th scheduled for this Tuesday (29 weeks). They'll continue to do them at this frequency to monitor how the twins are growing which I understand and am thankful for, but I don't understand why every single one of those has to be over an hour, measuring every bone and head and belly circumference. It's only to see if one isn't falling behind the other too much so not sure why we need every possible measurement we can get every 2 weeks.

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    3. Interesting point. My last 2 ultrasounds (other than the one that was done because AJ was a week overdue) were ostensibly to check on fibroid position and size, but they also checked everything about the baby. That didn't bother me because it was good to know about her growth and development, but it did make for a longer scan for sure. Might be good to ask your doctor about it - if there's a good reason for why they do that, they should be able to tell you!

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  2. I've heard that warning on several occassions, and to be honest, I was one of those who bought a fetal doppler for use at home in between (numerous) clinic visits. With our history of loss, it felt like a necessary maternal sanity saver in the early weeks... In the end though, I think I kind of get the point being made here; we often had trouble detecting GW's heartbeat and using the doppler would only panic us *more* until the next appointment. I don't know if that's because of our lack of training as professionals, but I'm certain that the more babies you've listened to, the easier it is to accept variation. Having said that, I personally know loss moms who feel that their home-use dopplers have literally saved them through nine long, hard months of pregnancy after loss.
    I think that the professional advice makes a lot of sense if all you're doing is collecting images or momentos for personal consumption *without* a complicated history, but that healthcare professionals all too often overlook the trauma of expectant parents' past histories, and the fact that mental health should be taken into account in prenatal care. We were singularly lucky in this respect with out care providers!

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    1. Yeah, the reassurance part of it is huge, even more so after loss I'm sure. I may have gone completely crazy in the first trimester especially without the reassurance of the U/S. I think the point to take away is to ask yourself "is U/S or Doppler REALLY essential for baby's safety / mom's sanity?" if it is, then it could be a good tool...if not, maybe something skip.

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  3. I saw this, too, and I'm inclined to follow the advice. As much as I want constant reassurance that everything is OK. And as many have pointed out, an ultrasound only lets you know that everything was OK, not that everything will be OK. And I agree with you--it matters not one bit what this baby looks like and I've waited this long, what's a few more weeks.

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    1. At a few points I would have loved to have U/S constantly for the reassurance LOL. (Although I hate having to hold pee in) I found it helpful just to accept what the doctors were saying (that's assuming you have good ones) - if an U/S was needed, we got one, if not I tried to trust them and chill a little. Good point about waiting...and pregnancy does actually go by quite fast, though sometimes it doesn't feel like it! I hope you have a fun and uneventful next few months.

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  4. I have to admit I had never heard any warnings about ultrasounds. I assumed they were totally safe. I am in no danger of being over-ultrasound-ed since there is only one machine in the region and I am not likely to see it more than I absolutely need to (I don't know if commercial ultrasounds exist in this country, but if they do they will be in larger population centers). I never considered buying a Doppler either, as I think it would cause more anxiety than reassurance for me. I am pretty chill in general, but I can occasionally find something to obsess and freak out over (such as pee sticks every two week wait, and that wasn't really fun for anyone involved). So best I just roll with it.

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    1. Good for you - I hope that the things you obsess and freak out over are few and far between! happy pregnancy

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  5. I had over ten ultrasounds of my boy, because I had bleeding in early pregnancy. I remember being worried about it too, and looking for studies on ultrasounds. I saw that warning that you posted too, but generally, the info out there is reassuring. The types of u/s of concern are actually the high-tech ones, such as 3D and doppler. Anyway, my son is doing well at 18 months - definitely not autistic :)

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    1. Good to hear! Yeah, I wouldn't argue with using an ultrasound when there is a symptom like bleeding. At least it can give some indication of what is going on. Good to hear the reassurance and that your little boy is doing well!

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