Quick Q, my midwife told me some women get worried about having too many scans? Ive had two now (7 & 9wks) and another one booked for next week. She said there no medical problems found yet with too many scans but i'd never heard of this, has anyone else?
I think there is some evidence that suggests there might be an impact on the development of the feotus, particularly in early pregnancy. I'm not certain there's any hard evidence, though.
Personally I prefer to avoid scans unless there's a specific reason - there are few advantages to lots of scans and possible harm, so that makes sense to me.
So far I've had 2 (8 weeks and 9 weeks). I'm not doing 12 week scan.
Ive never been told anything about having to many scans, but I guess there would be some form of risk having a fair few?
I wouldn't worry too much! I had weekly scans from 6 weeks with my DD up until 12 weeks then fortnightly scans from about 16 weeks through to 28 weeks. DD is perfect. DS was almost the same (probably a few less in the 1st trimester) and he is perfectly fine too
I try to limit them too. I have read some thing saying that too many can be harmful. But you need to weigh the benefits v risks. If you have a medical reason for having frequent scans it may be worth the risk of many. I didn't like when I had my morph scan with my last pg. The sonogropher took so long doing it, and I could feel my belly getting hot. I limit scans, but that's me personally. If you have a good reason then it may be worth it.
Yes, definitely weigh benefits and risks. They're different depending on everyone's circumstances.
Please don't worry that you've had too many - no one has any idea how many is too many.
Yep, my GP said someting about scans and 'not being good' unless medically required. Im not sure of the studies behind it though. For me the minimal risk that the GP couldnt even explain appropriately vs having scans to ease my anxiety was an easy choice, but that is me personally. I had 5 in total.
I think I had 5 with DD last pg and no problems there...!! I mean how many is too many??? nobody really knows!
I agree if the benefits out way the minor "possible" risk then I wouldn't find a problem with it! Please don't add THIS worry to all the rest that you have in early pregnancy and just enjoy being pregnant!..
Liebling had 5 scans: dating, nuchal fold, 19w, 21w (to re-check the heart as 19w was too early to check it) and ~30w (bump "too small"). He's a fine figure of a chap and I loved being able to see his face. Nothing wrong with having extra scans, if that's your decision.
Stormageddon will have no scans. Not because I don't want to have early photos, just because I don't want medical people knowing I'm pregnant and that means forgoing the scans. Nothing wrong with having no scans, if that's your decision.
With my DD I had alot b/c of my previous history of m/c but I can't remember how many. I was on fortnightly visits until about 16/18 weeks.... With this one I had a 7 week scan, 14 week, 20 weeks & 34 week scan. I won't have anymore now. I have no idea by what is too many - are any too many, 5 too many - who knows?!
Last pg I had 3 scans by 12 weeks then one a month till 20 weeks then one a fortnight till 35 wks then weekly he developed fine I did wonder at the time though this one will be the same and same with all my obs normal patients (most in her office except dating, nt and morph scans) without complications I'm sure if there's something wound she have them doing more
I'm pretty sure there's evidence suggesting an overuse of scans can produce negative effects, as MadB said, especially in early pregnancy. Having said that, this pregnancy I have had two more scans than necessary; a dating scan at what turned out to be 4w5d (had no idea how far I was), and another t about 6 weeks, because the first was too early. So I've had 4 all up. Same with DD, we had a dating scan (not necessary, I knew my dates but wanted the reassurance), 12 week, 20 week, and a 3D one at 32 weeks which was totally unnecessary, it was just for us to see DD and get some pictures. I think as long as you're aware that yes, there are probably some risks associated, then it's fine.
I had 13 scans throughout my pg (most in the 3rd trimester) and not one doc or midwife ever mentioned any risk. I guess it depends on why you are having scans and if the risk of a problem outweighs the risk of extra scans
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Too many scans?
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