Early scan risks

[MissHoney85]

So I'm due to have a viability scan today at 7 weeks. However, my OH has just been doing some research and has freaked out because there is some evidence that ultrasound might have a negative effect on a developing fetus. The evidence is weak and pretty inconclusive, but the NHS seem wary about it. (I think this is mostly about 3D scans, I guess the technology is the same though.)

I can see his point that the only reason we want to do it is for our own peace of mind, there's no medical need so why expose our child to any level of risk. On the other hand, I'm pretty anxious (haven't had any strong symptoms like sickness or tiredness) and have been counting down to this for 10 days.

Any thoughts?

There are lots of wild theories around this (and everything pregnancy related) but nothing at all conclusive or proven.

In many other Western countries, early scans are common practice to rule out ectopics and check pregnancy is viable/how many babies you are carrying etc. I had 2 early scans outside the UK IN a country where it is standard and i am now over 29 weeks.

Even in the UK, if there is any history of problems with pregnancy/miscarriages etc or if the mother has certain health issues, they will offer early scans to monitor everything. If early scans were so dangerous would they really offer them to those most at risk?

My personal opinion is that the fact that the NHS don't offer a scan until 12 weeks for a normal pregnancy is as much to do with cost as anything else.

@sel2223 that's helpful, thanks. Do you mind me asking which country you had your scans in?

@MissHoney85 mine were in Turkey where baby's dad is from. I had a scan to check it was viable/not ectopic when I was 7+5 (according to LMP) but baby was only measuring 6+1 so they had me back in for a follow up 2 weeks later.

I've also got friends in Australia and America who have had early scans as standard.

I had several early scans with my last due to anxiety. I think about 4. All fine.

@MissHoney85 I read some things about this myself and was starting to wonder if there was any truth to it then thought of the fact that some people going though IVF and other treatments can sometimes have scans every couple of weeks or even weekly, especially in the early stages!
I’m sure if there was any strong evidence of it causing harm then this would not be done 😊 definitely felt a bit more reassured after that. X

Congratulations!

The research so far on this shows no evidence of harm. There was maybe a very weak correlation (but not proof of causation) with left handedness that perhaps suggests further research, but of all the things to consider in pregnancy I think this is one of the least concerning at the moment.

I guess it's all balancing risks. If there's medical need it absolutely must be done, as the benefit far far far outweighs any speculated (and so far shown to be unfounded) possibility of risk. If you are suffering with anxiety you may also feel that this is more detrimental in itself and that the benefit again far outweighs risk. You'd also want to factor in the coronavirus risk.

In my first pregnancy I had several after a miscarriage and my DD is very happy and sociable (I know some have concerns re ultrasounds and autism, though the research shows no risk). I'm more cautious this time for various reasons and decided not to have an early scan as felt there was no real benefit, but if there'd been any medical indication I'd have had one and not given it a second thought.

Here is what I've read in this fantastic book. I hope you can zoom in to see it clearly enough.

Here's some information on the author

Thanks all for your advice - @footprintsintheslow that is really useful info and I will pass it on. We'd seen the stuff about increased left handedness... OH's concern is that it might cause other changes in the brain which are less easily spotted / quantified. Especially with it being so early, so the effect on the brain potentially being greater.

I don't know what to do... Once OH has a thought like this in his head it's hard to budge it and I don't want it to become an argument. We were planning on getting a Harmony test at 10 weeks and that includes a scan, so maybe the compromise is just to wait for that.

It's frustrating though. Especially as I'm supposed to go back to work the week after next (I'm a teacher) and I will need to explain to family why I'm not. Was hoping to have a scan to wave around for confidence!

I had loads and loads of scans when I was pregnant because I was so anxious about my baby. Private/NHS combined as I also had a funnelling cervix so had to have extra ones on top. He is nearly 4 now and very boisterous lol. I'm sure they are perfectly safe.

I'm pregnant with identical twins so have to have scans every two weeks (France). If they thought it was dangerous they simply wouldn't do it. I had a few extra private scans with my first pregnancy and baby was perfectly healthy. I wouldn't worry about it at all to be honest. It's nice to have the peace of mind! Do what feels right for you though.

I had scans at 5,7 and 9 weeks for medical reasons and no one suggested this was harmful. They were internal scans too. I'm 22 weeks now and all going well

OP- Are you sure you DH isn't reading about X-rays???

Surely, if the risk of MC or problems was higher after an U/sound, then everyone that has a MC would do so shortly after a scan? This simply isn't the case.

We decided not to do it in the end. I'm sure it's perfectly safe, the evidence is barely there, and if there was any medical need for a scan I wouldn't think twice about it. However, I took on board my OH's feeling that it's not worth any risk at all if there's no medical need for it. I guess knowing what's going on in there is going to have little impact on the outcome anyway. We'll do the Harmony test at 10 weeks (if we get there 🤞) instead - OH is less worried about the effects once the baby is a bit bigger and more developed. It's all about compromise! Thanks for your advice everyone.

OP- How much notice did you give the unit that you wouldn't be attending the scan???

OP it's probably a good decision tbh. I have three kids, one of whom is right handed and the other two left handed. First scan with the RH kid at 12 weeks, first scan with the two LH kids at 7 weeks...correlation not causation indeed but as they were both optional in various ways I regret it.