Is multiple 2D fetal ultrasound safe?

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted by Specialist Doctor II Nguyen Thi Minh Tuyet - Head of Obstetrics and Gynecology Department, Vinmec Central Park International General Hospital.
The effect of a lot of 2D fetal ultrasound on the fetus is not always a matter of concern for many pregnant women. Most pregnant women assume that an ultrasound is to know the health status or sex of the baby without worrying about any harm. However, there are some potential risks of having too many ultrasound scans allowed during pregnancy.

1. Advantages of 2D fetal ultrasound

1.1. Determining Baby's Sex The first benefit of a pregnancy ultrasound is to determine the sex of your baby. And one of the most popular methods is the 2D fetal ultrasound.
There are also other ways to determine the sex of your baby, including a noninvasive genetic screening test by taking a sample of the mother's blood.
1.2. Identifying twins Signs of twins include:
Often hungry Or morning sickness The fetus is growing larger or faster than usual When palpating outside feels 2 babies Feeling pregnant be healthier than usual However, some women carrying twins don't have any of these symptoms. 2D fetal ultrasound is one of the ways to identify twins, although the results are not always accurate during the first trimester because one twin may be hidden behind the other in the uterus. .
1.3. Ectopic pregnancy test 2D fetal ultrasound will help you check if the fetus is outside the uterus or not. The typical symptoms of an ectopic pregnancy usually become more apparent within the first 8-10 weeks of pregnancy.

If you think you are having an ectopic pregnancy, see your doctor immediately, as it can cause many very dangerous complications.
1.4. Placenta Placenta Placenta Placenta, or placenta previa, occurs when the placenta is at the lowest position of the uterus resulting in the placenta covering part or all of the cervix. This is the main cause of bleeding during pregnancy.
2D fetal ultrasound has the ability to determine if you may have placenta previa.
Most cases diagnosed with placenta previa during pregnancy can be completely resolved by cesarean section. Pregnant women who want to make sure everything is okay so that they can feel relaxed and confident entering the natural process of childbirth can check with a 2D fetal ultrasound.
1.5. Fetal heart rate monitoring 2D ultrasound can detect potential heart problems before the 20th week of pregnancy. Another option for mothers to monitor their baby's heart rate is to use a fetal taping device. However, a fetal transducer, similar to a stethoscope, can detect a heartbeat until 18-20 weeks of gestation, while a doppler ultrasound can detect heart rhythms best around the week. 12th pregnancy. It can also take longer to find your baby's heartbeat with the laparoscope, so it's more difficult to use during labor, especially when the mother is moving. .
1.6. Bonding with your baby Some mothers want to see their baby in utero as a way to connect with their baby and want to make sure that baby is developing normally. 2D fetal ultrasound is the way to help mothers do this.

2. Disadvantages of 2D fetal ultrasound

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) has stated that there is currently no reliable evidence that 2D fetal ultrasound is harmful to a developing fetus. No link has been found between fetal ultrasound and birth defects or cancers in children or developmental problems later in life. However, it is not excluded that the effects will occur in the future. For this reason, we recommend that you perform an ultrasound examination only after consulting and prescribed by your doctor.
However, there are some concerns about the heat generated by ultrasound machines. Studies have found that ultrasound can heat a baby's skin tissue beyond the maximum safe temperature.

3. Why is a 2D fetal ultrasound in the 8th - 12th week of pregnancy usually not needed?

Some doctors order an ultrasound at your first visit to confirm the fetal condition. However, you can replace the 2D fetal ultrasound with an over-the-counter pregnancy test or blood test; These are safer and more accurate options.
Early ultrasound is the best way to get the most accurate due date and several studies support this. If you have regular periods, you will definitely be able to determine the date of conception. This way, you can determine whether your due date is actually 41 or 42 weeks based on the date of your initial ultrasound appointment.
The sonographer will look at and measure your baby's body parts (head, face, spine, abdomen, stomach, kidneys, and limbs) to make sure they're developing normally and of the right size. If your baby is older or smaller than your expected 10-14 day mark, you may receive a due date notice (however, this due date is just a doctor's prediction). The obstetrician will also check the condition of the placenta, the shape of the placenta, and if there are any abnormalities in the fetus.

4. How do babies reduce their exposure to ultrasound radiation?

Pregnant women should consult a doctor about the effects of ultrasound radiation on mother and baby and how to limit this. Here are some reference tips to help reduce your baby's exposure to ultrasound:
After you hear your baby's heartbeat for the first time at 12 weeks with Doppler ultrasound, check again at the 18th or 20th week of pregnancy with a fetal cauterization device. Or to be even safer, skip the Doppler ultrasound and wait until the middle of the second trimester to listen to the baby's heartbeat through the fetal transducer. 2D fetal ultrasound should only be performed when prescribed by a doctor. Also, instead of having an anatomical scan at 18-20 weeks, ask if you can wait until 22-23 weeks. Because by that time, the baby is older and the sonographer can see and check his condition better. Ask the sonographer not to use ultrasound doppler to avoid generating continuous ultrasound pulses. Doppler ultrasound is used to examine the umbilical cord, but you can opt out to reduce ultrasound radiation to the baby. Consider asking for an experienced sonographer to be able to do the job accurately and to limit redundancy. Practice pre-natal mobility exercises to make sure your breech position is ready. You may need an ultrasound in the last weeks of your pregnancy if you suspect a breech pregnancy. Moreover, the weight result through ultrasound can be nearly 0.9kg less than the actual size of the fetus, so the baby size is too big sometimes inaccurate. Limit 3D and 4D fetal ultrasound. Do not buy a fetal monitor or doppler ultrasound for home use. Vinmec International General Hospital offers a Package Maternity Care Program for pregnant women right from the first months of pregnancy with a full range of antenatal check-ups, periodical 3D and 4D ultrasounds and other routine tests to ensure the mother is healthy and the fetus is developing comprehensively. Pregnant women will no longer be alone when entering labor because having a loved one to help them during childbirth always brings peace of mind and happiness.

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