Diagnostic Ultrasound In Pregnancy - Is It Necessary?
Yvonne Lapp Cryns
The journal, Obstetrics and Gynecology, estimated that over
half of all pregnant women in 1990 had undergone diagnostic
ultrasound, yet research published in the New England Journal
of Medicine suggest that 80 percent of all pregnant women are
very low risk and do not need ultrasounds. The unnecessary
ultrasounds cost about $1 Billion per year.
Any woman who is told she needs an ultrasound should ask about
the potential benefits of the test and the risks of the
procedure. She should ask if the results of the ultrasound will
affect her care she would otherwise receive and how. If the
result of the ultrasound will not affect her care, she may
question the need for the test at all. Only after being
completely informed about the need for the test, the benefits,
and the risks, should she sign a consent for the procedure.
USES OF ULTRASOUND
According to the ACOG patient education flier, "Ultrasound is
not necessary for every woman or in every pregnancy." It is,
however, being used more often as a standard procedure for
every pregnant woman. Some common uses include diagnosing and
detecting uterine or ectopic pregnancy, noting pelvic
inflammatory disease, cysts, tumors uterine cancer,
endometriosis and congenital abnormalities.
Ultrasound may compare fetal age and weight, note the placement
of the placenta, amount of amniotic fluid that is present and
diagnose certain birth defects such as neural tube defects.
Ultrasound is used during an amniocentesis to verify the baby's
position to be sure that the needle is placed properly. Some
physicians use ultrasound for estimating the fetal weight. This
is not a very accurate measurement unless numerous criteria and
scans are checked. Head circumference is one measurement.
However, incases of gestational diabetes, it is inaccurate
because these babies gain the additional weight on their bodies
only.
Ultrasounds are frequently used to date pregnancies. According
to Otto and Platt, 1991, in the first trimester the error range
is +5 days, in the second trimester it increases to +8 days and
if done in the final trimester it is +22 days.
About The Author: Yvonne Lapp Cryns is the owner of Midwives
.net - http://www.midwives.net
Yvonne is the co-founder of
Nursing Programs Online at http://www.nursingprogramsonline.com
and a contributor to The Compleat Mother Magazine at
http://www.compleatmother.com . Yvonne is also a law school
graduate, a registered nurse and a Certified Professional
Midwife.
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