3D Ultrasounds: FAQ & Internet Information

I facebooked a girl I used to work with & she said that "most" of her ultrasounds were 3d and she didn't pay anything for them as they were doctor ordered. I'm not sure how many she had, but she obviously had multiple ultrasounds that were 3D. If the exposure effected her baby in any way, I'm sure I would have heard about it by now!

From: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3D_ultrasound#Timing_of_3D_ultrasound

"Gender determination is the most accurate at 20 weeks and beyond, with a rate of 95%, as reported in the medical literature based on ob/gyn visits generally done at 20 weeks."

From one of the Companies that does 3D Ultrasounds: http://www.uc-baby.com/en/why-uc-baby/faq.php

Is 3D Ultrasound safe?
When it comes to safety there is no difference between 3D and traditional 2D Ultrasounds. Because both ultrasound methods use same kind of sound waves.
The last 50 years of research shows no harm to the developing baby from ultrasound scanning. Ultrasound is one of the safest means available for scanning unborn babies. The greatest risks arising from the use of ultrasound are the possible by inadequately trained staff and using poor equipment.

What are the benefits of 3D or 4D ultrasound?

Because the 3D pictures and 4D videos are more life-like, there is better and stronger bonding between parents and the baby. Increased bonding has been shown to improve mother's care of herself and therefore of her baby. Also 3D ultrasound increases the sense of maternal well-being and enjoyment of the pregnancy.

Can I find out the sex of my baby during the 3D ultrasound?

Yes, you can. The sex is determined after 20 weeks and the accuracy while not 100% is higher with 3D ultrasound. It depends on the baby's position, amniotic fluid around the baby, location of the cord and the mother's body type.

From: http://www.askquestions.org/articles/ultrasound/

"To date, studies of humans exposed to ultrasound have shown the following possible adverse effects: growth retardation, dyslexia, and delayed speech development. But only one effect, a higher rate of left-handedness among boys exposed to neonatal ultrasound, has been observed in at least three separate studies. "

"In other words, doctors accept that there may be risks, but they believe that medical ultrasound remains a beneficial practice when performed by a trained operator for diagnostic purposes. According to Dr. Joshua Copel, Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Pediatrics at Yale University, “It’s impossible to prove ultrasound is completely safe, but if you’re getting medically helpful information, then the tradeoff is reasonable.”"

"The biggest wildcard in the politics of ultrasound — even bigger than big money — is the anti-abortion movement’s embrace of the technology. Calling the images a “miracle,” activist newsletters and magazines abound in reports of women who change their minds about abortion after seeing 3D videos of their unborn fetus. "

From: http://www.ob-ultrasound.net/

"It has been over 40 years since ultrasound was first used on pregnant women. Unlike X-rays, ionizing irradiation is not present and embryotoxic effects associated with such irradiation should not be relevant. The use of high intensity ultrasound is associated with the effects of "cavitation" and "heating" which can be present with prolonged insonation in laboratory situations.

Although certain harmful effects in cells are observed in a laboratory setting, abnormalities in embryos and offsprings of animals and humans have not been unequivocally demonstrated in the large amount of studies that have so far appeared in the medical literature purporting to the use of diagnostic ultrasound in the clinical setting. Apparent ill-effects such as low birthweight, speech and hearing problems, brain damage and non-right-handedness reported in small studies have not been confirmed or substantiated in larger studies from Europe. The complexity of some of the studies have made the observations difficult to interpret. Every now and then ill effects of ultrasound on the fetus appears as a news item in papers and magazines. Continuous vigilance is necessary particularly in areas of concern such as the use of pulsed Doppler in the first trimester.

The greatest risks arising from the use of ultrasound are the possible over- and under- diagnosis brought about by inadequately trained staff, often working in relative isolation and using poor equipment. "

Obviously there is conflicting opinions out there. The gist of what I'm reading is that a) there is no evidence directly linking ultrasound with negative effects but b) since they are unsure of the risks, the official world does not support the 3d ultrasounds for non-medical purposes. Ultimately, as with EVERY decision about baby, you have to weigh the pros/cons for yourself.