Hi Tashybabe,

I posted an article a few months ago on the risks of ultrasound technology. I will try to find it for you. There are many medical professionals who advise against unecessary scans because of emerging evidence for ultrasound technology which is not favourable, and also because it is still a very new form of technology and the full effects will not be known for some years - until further study is done.
Of course it is a useful form of technology for high risk pregnancies, however.

It is for this reason (and my desire for minimal intervention) that I have chosen not to have any scans. You will find quite a few women in the natural parenting forums who also choose not to scan their babies. We are a growing phenomenon!! In other countries ultrasound for the unborn is not common practice (for various reasons). Research still indicates that a woman's LMP (last menstrual period) and cycle length is a more accurate indication of estimated due date than ultrasound technology - which has some medical professionals questioning the need for early dating scans at all, and the impact they may have on artificial induction rates (for simply being 'overdue') and hence ceasarean section because of inaccurate estimation of due dates.

As for cord clamping, I know a lot of women choose to delay cord clamping after the birth until the cord has stopped pulsating, as a large volume of blood and white blood cells are passed onto the baby in this period - which increases their immunity and the amount of oxygen in their body, and decreases their risk of developing certain conditions (ie - vitamin K deficiency).
'Lotus birth' is also becoming more popular now and is common practice in many traditional cultures- whereby the woman delays cutting the cord until the placenta has been naturally delivered - potentially a couple of hours after the birth. In traditional cultures this practice holds a special spiritual significance for the mother and baby to be attached in this way, and the cutting of the cord signifies a 'letting go' with ceremonious applause.
I have not read of a link between ultrasound and early cord clamping with ADS and autism - although that sounds quite plausible to me given some of the things I have read. I suppose that is an area for further research!!!

XX