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To scan or not to scan during pregnancy?

Germany has passed a new law, for the protection of babies in utero, FORBIDDING pregnancy scans unless there is a REAL medical need for it.

“The high intensity of ultrasound necessary for these images carries a potential risk for the unborn child, particularly as the absorption of these in the bone is significantly increased during early development of the osseous tissue.

Furthermore, no reliable studies evaluating the consequences of this application exist.

Therefore the practice of using ultrasound scans for non-medical use – for example just to obtain a picture of the foetus – without a medical need having been established, is prohibited.”

The use of ultrasound in prenatal diagnostic is still very important, but beyond the necessary scans during a pregnancy (and for high risk pregnancies) the use of ultrasound to see the baby for no real reason will no longer be an option.

Do you agree with this decision?

 Share your comments below

 

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  • Interesting although I thought the idea of the scan was to pick up problems that otherwise you might know know about.

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  • If they have research to warrant it then it makes sense

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  • I guess they have a point.

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  • I had to have multiple because my pregnancy was high risk and I had gd

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  • Do you have links to actual legislation on this? The story seems suss to me. Ultrasounds have been thoroughly studied to be safe.


    • Sorry I meant in english. There is a document there but I cant read it. I was wondering if anyone has info in english as this is very suprisigin.

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  • I don’t know that they need to be prohibited… but I would ask why does anyone need an ultrasound unless their Doctor is requesting one?

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  • So what risk does it to carry when we are doing ultrasounds?

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  • Those unnecessary scan flagged up issues for my 2nd born that wouldn’t have been known otherwise. The 1st was a shadow on the heart, which, thankfully turned out to b nothing and the 2nd was an ongoing kidney problem that almost needed surgery. There were no medical reasons for me to have these scans but if I didn’t we never would have know about his kidney issue. And as a person who has frequented the children’s hospital for the last 3 yrs I’ve heard a lot of kids with heart issues etc were picked up in utero, some of whom may have died otherwise.

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  • That’s the best news I’ve heard in a long time.

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  • I agree wholeheartedly – it makes it better for the foetus.

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  • I 100% agree, well done Germany for protecting the unborn. I totally refused an ultra sound when I was pregnant, I felt well and did not want to know the sex of my child. If there is anything wrong a mother can feel it, so only scan if absolutely necessary. Having so much un-necessary interference from the medical profession is only causing more grief and harm. Even if something is picked up, often (and it has been proven) that nature has a way of fixing things up before birth. Why put your baby at risk of harm. Hope more countries follow suit, but we can make a choice right now and just refuse them, even if they do find something wrong I don’t trust their diagnosis which is often wrong, mother knows best, follow your instincts, remain calm and enjoy being pregnant without the fuss, better for you and better for baby with no stress.


    • If there’s something wrong a mother can feel it? I couldn’t feel that my first baby’s brain had not split into two lobes and that he was missing his forehead bone so his brain was growing outside of his skull and that these issues were “incompatible with life”. I didn’t feel that my second baby’s heart had stopped beating (my body didn’t initiate a miscarriage). I also didn’t feel my third baby (only living child) was born with a missing kidney, a malformed uterus (which may impact her fertility) and bowel issues requiring a colostomy for the first year of her life. Yeah, great idea, let’s rely on a mother’s intuition rather than medical science.

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  • They need more research into the risks but I wouldn’t have a problem with this you still get the necessary scans.

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  • It’s comforting to see your have is doing good, but honestly if it adds potential risk, I’d rather avoid. This is a big step from German authorities. Respect!

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  • Yes I think it’s good to do these on medical indication.

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  • Ultra sounds should be saved for medical reasons. Some people are having too many of them. Though they are better then X-rays.

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