Please help - just read that ultrasounds cause autisms

[Wiggleroomm]

https://jennifermargulis.net/the-possible-dangers-of-obstetric-ultrasound/?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR2jVAkHP1cu4VuN0vCEEvZwfl-w1oy1CToAv0HAGGodsmLutp4QcnfIIeU_aem_Dz-3tEBbYOq2hPoW2Qne4g

I had to have them weekly for my baby son who I now 4 weeks old… I’m terrified that I have damaged him.

it’s not just this article but that same doctor shared studies in his book that prove how this happens… I’m devastated.

did anyone else have weekly ultrasounds? I’m sorry worried I’ve hurt my son in some way and should have known better and listened to my instincts. He didn’t even need them anyway.. they were growth scans and he was growing well!

A quick Google of her shows she’s also against vaccinations. So I’d personally ignore her

Autistic people are not “damaged.

i’d suggest your appalling attitude towards neurodivergence is more likely to do harm to your child than an ultrasound.

This is pseudo science. If you are worried, ask your doctor or midwife, who can give you a realz evidence based answer instead of groundless scaremongering.

You haven't hurt your baby

Gently, this may be some PNA talking.

She's a conspiracy theorist OP.

Pay no attention.

(I've got three autistic children BTW and I don't know what is terrifying you. I'm autistic myself. It isn't the end of the world)

Also - autism is genetic and isn't caused by ultrasound.

100% agree with this.

Autism is genetic, it can't be caused. And it's not 'damaging'. And that article is a load of rubbish. Please only get medical advice from proper research or public bodies that use proper research like NHS.

I wonder how one of my twins dodged the ultrasound autism waves then? It’s bollocks, just ignore.

Op, they really, really don't cause autism.
This sounds like anxiety or pnd talking. Have a chat to your GP or HV about how you are feeling, it's really common and they will help you. x

I have one DS who is autistic. Had two ultrasounds with him. I had weekly growth scans from 28 weeks with my youngest DS who is not autistic.

As said above, autistic does not mean damaged. Also, I'm assuming that your child needed weekly scans for a serious risk or potentially life threatening condition. So if they didn't get the scans your child and you may not have actually survived the pregnancy.

I’m terrified that I have damaged him

Autism is not "damage" OP.

FFS educate yourself a bit.

https://edition.cnn.com/2018/02/12/health/ultrasound-autism-study/index.html#:~:text=A%20higher%20frequency%20of%20prenatal,developmental%20delay%20group%20averaged%206.1.

Completely debunked.

That you were looking for information on this suggests you may have been anxious even before reading this (and as a note this is not reliable or helpful data).

Have you discussed your anxiety, mood and well being post birth with someone? It would be helpful to do this. You could call your health visitor or GP.

If you read enough quackery on the internet, you’ll convince yourself that absolutely anything you do will harm your baby. Please take advice from your doctors and midwife, not rogue “experts” touting their books and blogs.
Do you honestly think that obstetricians, GPs, midwives, and the highly trained and educated sonographers who do ultrasound examinations, are all corrupt or stupid?
If you are still worried, talk to the sonographer before your next scan.

Don't worry OP, the woman is a fruitloop.

Ultrasound uses sound waves. If soundwaves were going to cause autism, the entire population would be affected.

And autism isn't a form of damage. It's a different way of reacting to stimuli. My nephew is autistic and a highly paid scientist working at Porton Down, using his huge IQ to research how to protect us all.

I think you need to change your view of autism. And get your science from a more reliable source. 🙂

Autism is genetic. My DD is autistic and autistic traits can be easily traced through my immediate and extended family through every generation in living memory.

My DD is not damaged she is literally a genius and the most fabulous teenager who doesn't follow the crowd and we have the most interesting discussion. How her brain works regularly has me awe struck and has been commented on positively by every teacher she's ever had. No, she doesn't like loud noises or certain textures, yes, we have to plan our time carefully to ensure she doesn't get overwhelmed.

No she doesn't have additional learning needs, challenging behaviour or high support needs that can make parenting children with autism and other conditions very difficult

Yes, I did have additional fortnightly scans, for her head growth pattern - a pattern that is in early research stages but has been identified as an early biomarker.

Stop panicking your child is fine whether autistic or not, if they are autistic it has nothing to do with the ultrasounds and everything to do with you and his father's DNA.

I'm autistic and so is my sister. As we're in our late forties, our mum had no ultrasound scans at all.

Autism is linked to older fathers. As older fathers usually means older mothers these women, understandably, have more scans. It’s not causal.

That's a bit harsh, unless you know someone with autism or have given birth to a child that had it then they aren't gonna know it's not the end of the world are they. Before my son was diagnosed with it I was worried about all sorts of stuff but it turns out he was my favourite person in the whole world and so much more interesting than your bog standard kid lol (expecting backlash for that comment lol) she is genuinely worried about something which she clearly has no idea about and there's people telling her she is an awful person for expressing that worry.

Ok - even if they did cause autism (they don't), you say you had to have weekly scans. Presumably this was for a pretty important medical reason - the NHS doesn't do weekly scans for the fun of it. Would you have turned these down if you'd thought at the time that it might increase the chance of autism? Wasn't the benefit of these weekly scans more important?

Don't worry OP, this is absolute rubbish.

Going to go with the benefit of the doubt here but it's incredibly irresponsible for you to post this stuff.

It's been debunked, there have been 100s of peer reviewed studies into autism and not one has suggested its related to ultrasounds which millions of people get every day (how do you think it impacts people who get ultrasounds on their shoulders?!)

Autism is not damage. Autism is not caused by ultrasounds. Please don't post this fake stuff - it just scares pregnant women and those with kids.

We’d also like to clarify that we’re not proposing that ultrasound is “the” cause of autism. What we’re proposing, instead, is that ultrasound may be one of many risk factors for autism for those who have a selective vulnerability

I work in ultrasound and this article has infuriated me.

That article is most likely biased and leading towards ‘free birthing’ which is a dreadful craze coming from US

The OP is clearly feeling anxious about her newborn. I think it's disingenuous for posters to keep repeating "autism is not damage" and be so harsh on her.

Severe autism is debilitating. It's hardly surprising that people worry about their child being diagnosed as autistic, why wouldn't they? I work with children who have severe and complex disabilities including autism, and see how their parents struggle. I thank god every day my child does not have these issues

OP, I'm sure your child is fine. I would steer clear of this sort of stuff on the internet for your own mental wellbeing.

@Doseofreality "Autistic people are not “damaged.

i’d suggest your appalling attitude towards neurodivergence is more likely to do harm to your child than an ultrasound"

Now that's a vile thing to say to a worried new mother.