As for scans diagnoing multiple births, I would be very worried if my mw could not pick that up! Also, just to comment, if I went on to have a multiple birth, I would be having scans to screens for twin to twin transfusion syndrome. As a healthy woman who has only so far produced singletons, I plan to decline them next time as well.

I chose to decline scans (and all screening).

I knew my dates were correct.
I would not intervene if a fetal abnormality was discovered.
I have had a mmc before. I didn't get over it until DD1 was born. But being scanned ould not prevent another.
There are no long-term follow up studies detailing efficacy and safety that I am aware of.
I am inherently wary of intervention.

TThere's an AIMS publication called "Ultrasound, Unsound?" by Beverley Beech which I found very interesting.

I got a lot of strange looks but my mw fully supported my decision. Only negative comment I got was from a --arrogant twit-- man at church.

Incidentally, DD2 was born with the cord wrapped 3 times around her neck. We were scanned fortnightly in the last trimester and that wasn't picked up.

It's a deeply personal choice and one that I mmade after a lot of research. I wouldn't dream of criticising another's choice; it's up to each individual woman.

I will have the dating scan, I need it for a few reasons, I had irregular periods (last one 4 months ago, only just had +ve test) so I can calculate due date, because I'm considering flying home to have my baby NZ and obviously need to know when I am due to have that plan in place ha ha!!

Other than that I may decline the other scans. I'm low risk, and wouldn't intervene anyway, so I don't see the need.

Wow, what a bizarre thread. Sorry, but it is. Whilst there seems to be a small amount of new research to show LOTS of scans (ie, scanning almost daily, like Tom Cruise did) could POTENTIALLY cause concern (no specific issues, just general concern), how can you think scanning is dangerous? It is STANDARD in Europe, ie Germany, France etc to have a MONTHLY scans, which is what I receive. In the last month, I get a weekly scan. I'm on my third baby, and those scans have been very, very helpful and reassuring. They have told me that my first had placenta prevae, so I took it easy and didnt strain myself or travel too far. They told me about potential breaches, cords around necks, size, weight, general health, and just to see my babies grow was a wonderful thing. They showed that the babies didnt have spinae bifea (sp?) or potential downs, that their neck folds/spine had closed correctly, that their hearts and every single organ (at the 20 week scan, where everything is checked)was working correctly. How you could possibly turn down the utter derisory amount of scans offered in the UK is incredible. Be grateful for what is offered, and remember its not being offered to provide a random job for Drs - it's an important health check which our mothers and grandmothers (as mentioned previously) would have loved to receive.

I had an extra scan as part of a research project at 34 weeks pregnant with DD1. I was shocked to learn she had ventriculomegaly. We were even offered a termination at 34 wks! Thankfully she was healthy but I was heavily Monitored in the labour and ended up with an emergency section. Whilst I agree with the sentiments of a lot of the posts here, I do feel that more people should consider some of these sort of worries from scans. A lot more common is people being told their baby is very large on the scan and then worrying about vaginal delivery , only to find the baby is perfectly average sized after delivery. Scans are not perfect and still miss a lot of heart problems for example. I am expecting dc3 and will be having a 12 and 20 week scan only .

In my opinion I think you are worrying over nothing, worrying isn't good and it's one reason we have the scans - for peace of mind.
What if you are carrying more than one baby? Would you not like to find out so u can be prepared?
I would say if you are unsure whether to have both scans just have the 20 week scan as the 12 week scan is only really to confirm the dates and to have a nosey.
I'm a true believer in not reading too much in to these 'reports', often the people who write them have a hypothosis and then go about proving it, you can read one report that states one thing and another that states the opposite.
I don't know of any babies that have been harmed from having a scan but I do know of babies that have had problems detected on scans, one of which would have died within minutes of being born if it hadn't have been detected on the scan.
Personally I believe that the benefits far out weigh any 'risks'.

Hi,
I too had the same worries as you after reading lots of various articles and newspaper reports on the supposed 'dangers of scanning', I decided to go ahead with the 12 week scan and will also go for the 20 week scan. I decided not to have the nuchal scan. Good luck with your pregnancy!

OP's gone quiet. Don't tell me we've fallen prey to another journalist .

Almost everything we do is a risk/benefit trade-off. Based on what we currently know, women in Britain, USA and pretty much everywhere else are advised that the benefits of USS outweigh the risks. I am pretty happy with the credentials of the people who have made this judgement.

On a personal note, I have had loads of scans in my second and third pregnancies. In my first pregnancy an accurate dating scan may have prevented my DD's stillbirth, but one wasn't offered. In my third pregnancy the 20 week scan picked up a potentially serious fetal anomaly which will require surgery, and further scans were used to keep very close checks on my DS2's health. Decisions were made based on those scans. They were clinically necessary and I have had no qualms about having them.

I cant help feeling annoyed by this thread, I am sorry. There are so many things to worry about when pregnant and I have found all of my scans so reassurring. I am 34 weeks pregnant and last week I found out that due to the babies position I am at risk of a cord prolapse. If I hadnt had this scan I wouldnt know anything about it. I have been told that if my waters break I have to get to the hospital asap in an ambulance if necessary. So for me the risks are so much greater if you dont go for your scans.