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Pregnancy

Talk about every stage of pregnancy, from early symptoms to preparing for birth.

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Original poster

3D / 4D scans - harmful to baby?

34 replies

CJ1990 · 04/04/2018 14:36

Hi ladies,

Just after some opinions! I booked a 3D / 4D scan for this weekend. I’m 18 weeks and was super excited to find out the gender and stuff!

But my mums now put a downer on it saying I shouldn’t go as they’re harmful to the baby as the expose them the the ultrasound waves for too long etc etc..she sent me a link to the nhs website which kind of says they are but they aren’t?

Just wanted to get opinions as now I don’t want to go!

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

bonzo77 · 04/04/2018 14:41

My understanding is that these are medical tests usually used to check for problems. There is quite a lot of evidence that they’re safe, they’re ultrasounds not X-rays. But. We don’t know for certain, and too big a risk for entertainment. You may be able to find out the sex at the anomaly scan (20 weeks) anyway.

Also, you’ll get a flaming here as it’s the sex you can see in the scan, not the gender. But I knew what you meant!

Namechangemum100 · 04/04/2018 14:42

It's completely up to you, it's your baby.

As far as I was aware the frequency is much higher for these scans, which is why we always opted out of them. I personally find them to look a little ghostly but I know lots of people that love them.

TittyGolightly · 04/04/2018 14:44

Children whose mums have a lot of scans are more likely to be left handed. Not a big issues in itself (I’m a leftie) but i do wonder what else we don’t know about the effects.

And you can’t tell gender from a scan. It’s the baby’s sex you may be able to see. They are not the same thing.

Hausfullofgrls · 04/04/2018 14:44

Nah. Wive's tale. Have fun seeing your tiny!

Mrshand123 · 04/04/2018 14:44

I had one and it was the best experience ever. Loved seeing her face. Its the same as a normal scan just bit more advanced.

INeedNewShoes · 04/04/2018 14:45

I wouldn't have a scan without a medical need, but so so many women do.

Having said that, due to some complications in pregnancy I ended up having pretty much a scan a month in my second and third trimester including a couple of quite long scans checking growth details and blood flow so, although for different reasons, you won't be exposing your baby to more harm than many women end up doing so.

Original poster

CJ1990 · 04/04/2018 15:02

Think I’d feel too guilty about going now :( if the worst happens along the line id blame myself :(

OP posts:

Shabeth · 04/04/2018 15:15

Nothing is going to happen for a quick scan plenty of women have them every day. I don't see how they would be allowed if they posed any harm. Go and enjoy it! The 20 week one is so rushed you can't enjoy it properly

Calledyoulastnightfromglasgow · 04/04/2018 15:16

I think it’s probably okay but didn’t do it myself as we just don’t know enough.

I did have medically needed scans though.

Original poster

CJ1990 · 04/04/2018 15:33

I do wonder if they were so bad how come people do get them every two weeks if they are high risk? Surely that defeats the point of having them so often if it can pose a risk?

OP posts:

TittyGolightly · 04/04/2018 15:35

The risks are small. There’s a difference between medical monitoring (where baby might be at risk) and vanity scans (because you want to see your baby’s face 5 months early).

14StoneInADay · 04/04/2018 15:40

I can assure you as an experienced sonographer that there is absolutely no risk to you or your baby.

Enjoy your scan and tell your DM to shush and stop trying to scare you with nonsense!

TittyGolightly · 04/04/2018 15:41

I can assure you as an experienced sonographer that there is absolutely no risk to you or your baby.

You can’t possibly know that.

StylishMummy · 04/04/2018 15:41

I had weekly NHS scans & my consultant laughed at the idea they could be considered harmful!

14StoneInADay · 04/04/2018 15:42

12 years experience and you know, science, means I can!

JazzyJefff · 04/04/2018 15:46

I had 4 private scans plus 3 NHS ones and my baby girl is perfectly healthy, no third eye or anything!

TittyGolightly · 04/04/2018 15:48

12 years experience and you know, science, means I can!

You only know what’s been researched.

One of the findings was an increase in left handed ness. How do you explain that?

There are ethical issues with research involving babies. Hence the limited studies.

SisterMoonshine · 04/04/2018 15:52

They do wonder about them possibly having neurological effects- I wouldn't have one for entertainment.

BluthsFrozenBananas · 04/04/2018 15:53

A relative of mine is a midwife, her take on this is that scans probably aren’t harmful, but we haven’t had a generation yet live their whole lives through to old age who were scanned as foetus and until that’s happened we won’t know for sure.

TittyGolightly · 04/04/2018 16:07

midwiferytoday.com/mt-articles/questions-prenatal-ultrasound/

Makes some interesting points. I’ve not cross referenced this with other research papers as only got time to skim read it.

Original poster

CJ1990 · 04/04/2018 18:48

Thanks a lot ladies - it seems to be 50/50 as to whether it is ok!? I guess it’s not worth the risk. I feel too guilty now the doubts been put in my head. :(

OP posts:

helpfulperson · 04/04/2018 19:34

The other issue around research is that there is no longer a control group. Any countries/cultures where women don't have scans have too many other factors different to be able to work out what is due to the scan and what is due to other things. The number of UK women who don't have any scans in minuscule.

Marmite27 · 04/04/2018 19:36

I’m 34 weeks and have had 18 scans so far. In two of the weeks I had 3 scans a week.

Not once has anyone mentioned any risk factors for the scan (too worried about other stuff tbh) so I guess it’s negligible.

TittyGolightly · 04/04/2018 19:38

Or better than the alternative, Marmite

BubblesAndSquarks · 04/04/2018 19:44

Unless you're planning on all organic food, no chocolate/sweets, moving away from pollution/WiFi so on then I wouldn't worry about it! Much more likely 'small risks to health' to worry about than an ultrasound.

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