Some patients opt out due to this uncertainty, saying they don’t want suspicious ultrasound findings adding to their stress level. A 2014 study from France found that among 526 pregnancies, ultrasounds at this time showed false positive results for fetal anomaly in 8.8% of cases and misclassification of potential anomalies in 9.2% of cases. We also must acknowledge that ultrasounds in the second and third trimester aren’t perfect. But they’ve had many days of anxiety and concern before we can give them the good news. In these cases, they have to come back for another ultrasound in a few weeks, and very frequently the pregnancy is fine. My experience is that patients and their partners immediately focus on the worst possible outcome – that the pregnancy has failed. Women come in for an ultrasound thinking they are farther along in the pregnancy than they are, and we can't see the heartbeat in the fetus. We see this frequently in the first trimester. Sometimes ultrasounds create unnecessary stress So given these advantages, why would a woman These situations can be dangerous for the mother andīabies – for example, placenta previa can cause significant maternal hemorrhage,Īnd you’d be advised to choose a hospital over a birth center or home birth. Other situations that are high risk, such as identifying the presence of twins To find a specialized pediatrician and daycare, if needed.Īn ultrasound at this time can also identify have a birth defect – it can take time to findĪ hospital that is prepared to handle your pregnancy and delivery, as well as Prevention estimate that 3% of babies in the U.S. While birth defects are not rare – the Centers for Disease Control and Parents appreciate knowing in advance that the delivery or the baby’s care If the ultrasound reveals a concern, some (If the baby is in a favorable position, the 20-week ultrasound can also help us determine the sex of the child.) Health conditions that are associated with a higher risk of a congenitalĪnomaly. This can be particularly important to older mothers and women with Patients tell us they are eager to have the ultrasound – they want this Trimester can help reduce concerns about the development of the fetus. However, we’d support a patient’s choice to not have an Also, some tests require accurate knowledge of gestational age to perform Our suspicions were confirmed – almost one in four womenĪdjusted by the first trimester ultrasound, which can also affect the deliveryĭate. Ultrasounds to all when we noticed a trend in young women being uncertain when In our practice, we started offering early The pregnancy or evaluating a patient who has bleeding or pain Ultrasound in the first trimester include determining the gestational age of To determine whether they have formed normally. Trimester should not be standard because it’s hard to see the parts of the baby First trimester ultrasoundĪCOG suggests that ultrasounds in the first Role ultrasound plays at different points in pregnancy. This controversy highlights the need for a balance between patients' beliefs,Įducation provided by doctors, and medical standards of care. While ultrasounds are useful, they aren’t perfect, and someįindings may lead to interventions and anxiety during pregnancy that ultimatelyĪCOG considers mandatory ultrasounds discriminatory, and says a pregnant woman’s decision to refuse a therapy should be respected. That all women have them in order to deliver at their centers. consider fetal ultrasounds mandatory, asking This scan is an opportunity to look for abnormalįetal development or other problems with the placenta, uterus, orīut some doctors around the U.S. That pregnant women have at least one ultrasound exam during pregnancy, usuallyīetween 18 and 22 weeks of gestation. Currently, the AmericanĬollege of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) suggests The technology wasn’tĪs readily available or advanced as it is today. Ultrasounds were not a standard of care during pregnancy. Range of reasons, from not wanting to know if the baby might have a birthĭefect to concerns about the safety of ultrasound technology. Not to have routine ultrasounds performed during their pregnancy. However, some patients tell us they’d prefer showed the average number of ultrasounds per Wall Street Journal, data compiled by FAIR Health Inc. Who seek prenatal care are offered at least one ultrasound. become pregnant each year, and most of those
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