Not a whole lot is going on, worth mentioning, around the house lately. And I've had a few posts on the blog before talking about things we do as a family that might be alittle different compared to others. So I thought I would start alittle series of that! I've already shared what and why we do Christmas the way we do, about making our own laundry detergent, and homeschooling Darby. Something that has been on my mind alot lately is ultrasounds while pregnant. So that is what I will share this time!! : )
We have not had a routine u/s (ultrasound) since I was 18 weeks pregnant with Bryse, in 2006. Since then, in my reading on natural childbirth, homebirth, and alternative medicines, we have decided that we have no calling to have another routine u/s. This was a big decision while pregnant with Cal. I did a TON of reading and asking folks their thoughts on it. My midwife said that her clients rarely get them and that she didn't see a point unless it was medically indicated (my paraphrase). So I read. 1. I found that (to my surprise) there has NEVER been proof that shows better outcomes when routine u/s are used. The key word here would be "routine". Because if something comes up where the doc or midwife have a red flag go off then it can be a very valuable tool! For sure! 2. U/s are used for basic things, and as a result in the recent years I noticed that the medical community (some) have lost the ancient art of palpating a mother's uterus to determine things like: sufficient amniotic fluid, multiple pregnancy, or presentation of the baby. My midwife always knew what position Cal was in just by feeling. And this is the case most of the time! I think that is amazing! Another basic thing that u/s are used for is determining a due date that is supposedly more accurate. Early in pregnancy this can be the case, I mean really early. But really, most studies show that it's not THAT much more accurate for the average woman. Since I'm pretty average, I don't see the point! ; ) 3. U/s are used for lots of different screenings and estimations that it is terribly inaccurate at! Especially late in pregnancy! I don't blame u/s techs for this or doctors! It is just hard to get any type of accurate reading once that babe is so big. Studies show that wieght estimations are usually off by 2 pounds either way and that it's natoriously bad at estimating the amount of amniotic fluid. You could go to two different techs in one day and get majorly different diagnosis for both of these things. Regardless, since it has been shown to NOT improve outcomes, it is basically going to just stress mommy out for no reason. 4. U/s have never been proven safe. But they haven't been proven dangerous either. The fact is, the technology just hasn't been thoroughly researched! Now, personally I would be shocked if we get a few years down the road it turns out that u/s are horrible dangerous. I don't believe that they are evil, but I really don't have a peace about exposing my baby to anything that hasn't been completely studied for no good reason. Ya know? Finding out a guess about my baby's sex a few months earlier doesn't matter that much to me, personally. And let us not forget, Obstetrics has a horrible record for using things that aren't proven safe and having catastrophic results. Example: xrays. They used xrays on mama's for 20 years before they realised that innocent children were contracting cancer as a result! Heartbreaking! They assured women for 20 years thru books and verbally that xrays were 100% safe and necessary (without ANY research to back them up). That is more than a shame. 5. I have a peace! : ) I love knowing that when I'm pregnant my baby is in my Lord's caring arms as he stitches him or her together!! I love that he sees them in that "secret place" and that it remains a secret place! I need no more reassurance from anyone that my baby is there and whole. I also believe that God gives mama's instincts and that I would be happy to listen to HIM and respond to those instincts if He so chooses to change our hearts on this! : ) 6. There have been some (few) studies that show adverse effects from a large amounts of u/s. In one study they found that there was higher rates of miscarriage early in pregnancy when there were several u/s early in pregnancy. That there is a higher risk of IUGR (Intrauterine growth resriction or retardation) after so many u/s. And oddly enough, more often left handedness in children that were exposed to more u/s technology while in utero. Which seems like no big deal, but it does show proof that somehow the technology "may" be altering something in the brain. As a result of discovering these things and prayer we decided that routine u/s are not for us! Honestly, as with anything in parenting, I could care less what other people do. I pray they research and know why they do what they do, but their decision is their decision and I hope they are as proud of their's as I am of mine! : ) OH! And dopplers are in the same catagory as u/s. They use the same technology only more focused and strong. I don't care to hear my baby's heartbeat early in pregnancy, God knows what's going on in there and I will patiently wait (unless medically indicated) to hear my babe's heartbeat when I'm around 20 weeks and the feta scope can safely (proven!) hear that sweet hearbeat!! So there ya have it! Why we don't get routine ultrasounds! Hope you enjoyed! Here are some links: http://www.unhinderedliving.com/pultra.html http://www.midwiferytoday.com/articles/ultrasoundrodgers.asp http://www.jstor.org/pss/3703178 https://www.asrt.org/content/News/IndustryNewsBriefs/Sono/studyshows062408.aspx http://www.midwiferytoday.com/articles/ultrasoundwagner.asp http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/130084/the_dangers_of_ultrasounds.html?cat=52
1 Comment
Meranda Wilkerson
3/29/2010 06:51:19 am
Lindsey,
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