Too many ultrasounds unsafe?

[Leylaaa]

I've had 4 scans so far during my pregnancy.
I'm currently 18 weeks pregnant and have my 20 week scan in 2 weeks time but I just find the nhs scans gap so long and would just like to check on how baby is doing time to time but can having too many scans be unsafe for baby?

Not unsafe

I think most places (private scans) will ask you to space them two weeks apart but I’m not sure if that’s a safety concern or not. I think that’s a question for the midwife

There is some evidence that intensive scanning may be linked to IUGR (Intra-Uterine Growth Restriction) and lower birthweight. There is a separate issue about what (I'm assuming, as you've not mentioned medical concerns) private scans will tell you and support you in terms of if an issue with the pregnancy is discovered. Personally, if I were you I wouldn't have any more private scans and just have your remaining NHS scan and any additional scanning that might be recommended by your medical team if necessary.

It's extremely unlikely there will be any effects of additional scans, but there is a risk and the gain probably isn't worth the risk being taken.

There's no evidence (that I've seen) that ultrasound is unsafe, in fact, it is used therapeutically to treat some medical conditions, for example, musculoskeletal issues!

But you’re more likely to have a lower birth weight not because of all the scans but because of another reason which is why you’d have all the scans. My high risk twin pregnancy included fortnightly scans throughout.

I had to have a scan every week when I was pregnant with my daughter who’s now a very healthy 14 year old. Try not to worry.

They aren't harmful, but I think you need to put in context what you think they are telling you. To have had 4 at 18 weeks in the early stages is a lot- what are you looking for? The scan tells you they have a heartbeat at that moment.but can't tell you they will be ok the day or week after. There's nothing to be done regardless. More scans won't change the outcome if otherwise everything is as normal.
Ones in the latter stages for growth and liquor make a bit more sense.

As the mother of a baby born with complex medical needs and the mother of identical healthy twins, who had scans for both pregnancies at 7, 12, 15, 20 weeks and then every few weeks from then until birth at 35 and 36 weeks, the scans have had zero impact on them.

However what constant scanning can affect is your mental health. If you have a scan at 20 weeks, get the all clear but start convincing yourself you need to have one more in a few weeks then one more in a few weeks and then one more.... you're gonna make yourself ill.

Perhaps see when they advise for latest scans (private places don't tend to go really late as you can't see much) and aim for one then, or around 30 weeks so halfway. They're also not cheap, money better spent on the baby x

But you are all citing scanning for medical purposes. My understanding of the OP is that the previous scans have all been private "reassurance" scans rather than medically necessary ones. As the risk of IUGR outweighs the benefit of reassurance scans, it would be recommended not to have any more. Of course she should have any medically necessary scans that are recommended, but no more reasssurance scans....

Just for context a couple of studies are here
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8105165/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15582061/

That seems to be correlation rather than cause. I'm interested in this subject, could you share any studies which show a causal link please?

Ah, crossposted - thanks!

Ultrasound is generally considered safe throughout pregnancy. This does depend somewhat on the competence of the staff and the correct use of equipment- anyone can buy an ultrasound machine and set themselves up as a sonographer so do check details carefully of any private clinic. https://www.sor.org/getmedia/68635988-565a-45a8-8b57-53b29e8f651d/Competencies-for-ultrasound-practice-in-private-baby-scan-clinics_V2_D1-3

I had three in about ten days in my last pregnancy on the NHS (one was a specialist heart scan, one the usual 20 week and one a cervical scan due to previous preterm labour) so no i don't think 4 in 12 weeks is gonna cause any issues. there's no evidence it will. you also find you scan less further down the road as you can feel the baby.

I was told that you should only have ultrasounds in pregnancy if needed and that you should have the minimum required.

People have ultrasounds on, say, their shoulder. Why? Because the ultrasound affects the cells of the body. So, it’s perfectly possible that ultrasounds during pregnancy affect the foetus. If they had no effect, we wouldn’t use them on poorly shoulders, etc!

Unless there are crucial medical reasons, having 4 scans by 18 weeks is madness IMO. Why risk doing harm? More than that, it’s utterly pointless. The scans only reassure you for that moment/day. I think some women subconsciously use extra scanning as some kind of talisman (I’ve had 12 scans already so nothing can go wrong). Having extra scans beyond what’s medically recommended won’t help do anything but empty your purse and potentially increase the risk of harm to your baby.

I have twins and had loads of them, I used to joke I could qualify as a time served sonographer. They were all NHS and medically required.

4 scans before 20 weeks is a lot unless requested by your doctor. I understand, it’s a confusing and anxious time. You should discuss your anxiety around the baby with your midwife.

With my singleton I had scans at 7 weeks, 9 weeks, 12 weeks, 16 weeks, 20 weeks, 28 weeks, 32 weeks, 36 weeks and he was born at 38 weeks.

I had many more with my twins.

Perfectly safe.

the risk is so tiny I wouldn’t worry about it . I was high risk with twins and had nearly weekly scans

No, not unsafe. I had two miscarriages, and with my third (and successful) pregnancy, my OB was happy to give me however many medically unnecessary scans it took to make me feel just a little bit safer.

There’s some theoretical risks around cavitation and tissue heating but no evidence has been found that ultrasound at the levels used in fetal scanning is harmful.

The ultrasound used for deep tissue therapy is a different frequency/intensity than that used for imaging so not comparable.

It is safe (I had 25, medical reasons, but I looked into the safety aspect quite a bit!) but as someone else said, it takes a toll on your mental health. For your own sake I wouldn’t book too many private ones!

No they’re not unsafe but 4 scans by 18 weeks is a lot if there’s no medical reason. Maybe you need to think about ways to reduce your anxiety levels so you don’t feel like you need so many scans. Not trying to be mean because I know pregnancy is an anxious time, I’ve been there, but you’ve got a long time to go yet and you won’t be doing yourself any good being so anxious. You will be having regular check with your midwife from 20 weeks where they will monitor growth and the baby’s heartbeat. Try not to book any more private scans for the sake of your mental health

I had cervical length scans every 2 weeks from 14 weeks, and they checked the baby briefly each time (the first few times offering to be nice, then for growth scans). Baby was absolutely fine. I questioned safety and they said there's no side effects. They use them directly on premature babies heads and stomachs too once born.

I had tons due to ivf pregnancy anxiety and also worried about this. He was born 10lbs and absolutely fine!

A more recent study on therapeutic ultrasound showed no difference in recovery between the 3mz ultrasound and a placebo with no ultrasound. No evidence that it actually does anything to help injuries or pain.