Can pregnant women safely undergo an ultrasound examination?
January 22, 2022 | 45,00 EUR | answered by Nina Bergmann
Dear Radiologist,
My name is Ben Heuser and I am currently in the 12th week of pregnancy. In the coming weeks, I have an ultrasound examination scheduled to monitor the development of my unborn child. However, I have concerns about whether it is safe to have an ultrasound examination during pregnancy.
I am worried about whether the ultrasound waves could harm my unborn child. I have heard that there may be risks associated with having regular ultrasound examinations during pregnancy. Are there studies that prove that ultrasound examinations during pregnancy are safe?
I also wonder if there are alternative methods of examination that are as effective as ultrasound during pregnancy. Are there other imaging techniques that pose less risk to the unborn child?
I would like to know if there are specific precautions that I should take before deciding to have an ultrasound examination. Are there certain times during pregnancy when ultrasound examinations are particularly safe?
I thank you in advance for your help and expertise. Your response will help me make an informed decision regarding the ultrasound examination during my pregnancy.
Sincerely,
Ben Heuser
Dear Mr. Heuser,
thank you for your inquiry regarding the safety of ultrasound examinations during pregnancy. My name is Nina Bergmann and I am a radiologist with extensive experience in this field.
First of all, I can assure you that ultrasound examinations during pregnancy are considered safe. There are numerous studies that show that the use of ultrasound waves in pregnant women does not cause any detectable harm to the unborn child. Ultrasound technology has made significant advancements in recent decades and is now an established and safe method for monitoring the development of the fetus.
It is important to know that unlike X-rays, ultrasound waves do not use ionizing radiation and therefore do not pose a risk to the unborn child. However, it is recommended to limit ultrasound examinations during pregnancy to the medically necessary extent to avoid unnecessary exposure.
In terms of alternative examination methods during pregnancy, there are indeed other imaging techniques such as MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) or CT (Computed Tomography). However, these procedures are typically only used in exceptional cases and under strict indications in pregnant women due to the ionizing radiation. Ultrasound remains the preferred method for imaging during pregnancy.
There are no specific precautions you need to take before deciding to have an ultrasound examination. However, it is recommended that you discuss the purpose and procedure of the examination in detail with your treating physician before the examination. As for the timing of the ultrasound examination, there are no strict rules, but usually regular ultrasound examinations are performed at specific intervals during pregnancy to monitor the development of the fetus.
I hope I have been able to address your concerns regarding ultrasound examinations during pregnancy. If you have any further questions, I am happy to assist. I wish you all the best for your pregnancy and the upcoming examination.
Best regards,
Nina Bergmann, Radiologist
