Anyone chosen not to have antenatal ultrasound scans?

[Kerelene]

I've been researching the safety/risks and according to WHO and midwifery today, these are only meant to be offered to high risk mums or those where a problem is suspected, although they are often offered routinely.

The research I've looked at states there is no benefit in routine ultrasound scans for low risk pregnancies and that there is even some evidence that the radiation from ultrasound can be harmful to the foetus, and certainly not enough research has been done to be sure that ultrasound is entirely safe for foetuses.

I am summarising but this is broadly what I found out. Not wishing to scare anyone about scans, but I believe in making an informed choice rather than going along the NHS conveyor belt without questioning anything!

I had 12 week and 20 week scans with my first baby and the 20 week scan was not a pleasant experience and very uncomfortable.

I am in a different area this time so not sure what I will be offered in the way of scans, but I am 35 so probably considered 'high risk'.

I'd be interested to hear of anyone's experiences if they chose not to have the scans they were offered.

There was a thread on this a few months ago (and a big barney ensued) so you might want to search for it?
I disagree with you - I am not having scans for fun but my consultant is giving me more scans than you would routinely have on the NHS even though I am low risk. If there may be a problem with my baby there are things they detect and act on and be prepared for, before or on delivery. I prefer to be armed with information, but everyone's different.
While you quote WHO and "Midwifery Today" I think omitting any mention of RCOG's recommendations is misleading.
I want scans because I do want to make an informed choice. Without scans (and you can make the same argument about bloods and most antenatal screening) you are completely without information. I prefer not to be in the dark - but everyone's different.

Have you ever had a miscarriage? If not, I don't think you can appreciate how important scans are.

There is no radiation in ultrasound.

I would insist on any scans for baby number 2 as I had to have an emergency c section with ds, he was breech and huge - but wasn't detected as I wasn't offered a 'late scan' even though my midwife thought I would need one.
So I think they are important in detecting and reducing problems with onset of labour as well as checking for development.

Thanks ladies
I have checked the thread which slinkiemalinki mentioned, which was very similar, and found it very interesting and useful.

Personally speaking, I would advise having a 12 and 20 week scan. My placenta previa was picked up on the 20 week scan and when i had a massive bleed at 32 weeks I was able to tell the paramedics this. PP doesn't always cause bleeding in pregnancy but can be ver serious if you go into labour without being aware of it. Also, a friend is a radiographer and her opinion is they are safe and potentially life-saving diagnostic tools.

this book is fascinating and shows how far antenatal care has come even in 60 years.

In my experience ultrasound provides an invaluable service for mums and babies, who without them could be at risk from all kinds of otherwise unseen problems.

With my 1st pregnancy I was classed as low risk. I wasn't offered a 12week scan as they were not part of the routine where I was living at the time so only had my 20week scan. It was there that I was told that my baby was never going to survive as she had a condition "incompatiable with life"

From my experience I just wish I had been offered an earlier scan so I didn't go through what I went through.

Since then my last 3 have been closely monitored with 12 week Nuchal and routine 20week scans as will the current preg.

IMO the risk posed by having the scans is far outweighed by the many benefits of having them.

Womb
I absolutely agree. Rejecting modern innovations is slightly perverse, IMHO.

Actually, I can understand the way of thinking where you question the merits and risks of every test and don't blindly go along with them "because that's how it's done". I still have ultrasounds in pregnancy though, because I think that the risks are low compared to the potential benefits.
I wouldn't have a 4D ultrasound for the pictures though. The levels of ultrasound are much higher, and getting a look at the baby doesn't count as a valid reason. Just in my opinion of course.
Talking of which, I've just had my 12 week scan and I was amused/appalled at the number of signs up reminding the PG women that this was a medical examination and that they were only allowed their partner in with them. Do people really see it as a fun family day out???

Scans are a important part of pregnancy. with my twins i was scanned every 2wks for medical reasons wth identical twins they have to monitor you for twin to twin transfusion syndrome.for all other preganancies if low risk its just the 12 & 20 wk scans as far as i know i wouldnt take having a scan lightly but for medical perposes they are assential

They do Mrs TM. I've seen posts on MN suggesting you take an older child in to help them bond with the baby. Call me paranoid but god forbid there should be anything wrong with my baby, mine and my husband's distress and upset is the last thing I'd want my little girl to see.

i agree with mRSTM , there is nothing wrong or 'perverse' in questioning the reason for scans, or indeed any other antenatal test or screening. and you have to think if the test or scan is going to give you negative or upsetting information, how will you deal with it?

FWIW, I would forgo blood tests or the 12 weeks scan, but not the anomaly scan

i thikn we have forgoteen that the 20 week scan is primarily to check the baby is developing normally, not jsut to see if the baby is a boy or girl

Hi there,
I'm now 17+5 weeks pregnant and had already 8 scans!(was bleeding few times so each time got a scan and baby was fine to my huge relief). I do worry if it's all getting too much for my baby. It always moves a lot during the scan as if it was uncomfortable or painful. I watched few programs on TV about baby's development inside the womb and they showed how their faces show pain during scan...

And to make my worries worse, my MIL who is a nurse read somewhere that scans can cause autisum in children.

I have my 20 weeks scan in little over 2 weeks and now I'm not sure what to do!

Please don't worry Acylia. I ended up having 6 ultrasound scans with DD and she is absolutely fine (in face, better than fine ). I know of plenty of other Mums who've had more than normal scans and have had healthy children too.

There is a small question mark over the safety of ultrasound, but personally, I would much rather take that (unknown, probably tiny..) risk and have the 12 and 20 wk scans. These scans can detect all kinds of problems and abnormalities, and forewarned is forearmed in my opinion. Having had a miscarriage, I agree with previous posters who have said that ultrasound scans become doubly important, particularly for those who have had previous 'missed' miscarriages. I respect the OP for researching things for herself and making an informed choice, but have to disagree.

I have never had any scans in any of my pregnancies. In my first, when I said I wasn't having one, several people said "oh, I didn't want to know the sex either but had the scan anyway" I find it shocking that so many people do not realise the reason for the scans.

Detecting abnormalities and problems are only any use if you want to make a decision based on that information. And, many conditions are wrongly diagnosed at scans. DS2 was stillborn at 28wks, he had a condition which could have been picked up but as I wouldn't have ended the pregnancy, I would have just spent an awful 8wks waiting for the worst to happen.

It is a personal choice though - just as any other test/procedure. I think people need to remember that and not judge people for doing something that they wouldn't do. The previous thread about this got very emotive and judgemental which is a shame as women should have an informed choice.