Chaz Moms and Moms-to-Be Chat (everyone welcome)

[AllisonPitbullLvr]

Really? They're really common here and a lot of other moms in my birth month group have used them. I'll ask my midwife

[milos_mommy]

The wikipedia page has a lot of information on it, and a lot of references to different studies and organizations warning against it. I never actually went on to read the studies, though. AIUM and the FDA both have warnings against it for non-medical reasons.

[Grab]

Originally Posted by AllisonPitbullLvr

A client told me today that I'm "really huge" for 21 weeks and that I shouldn't have found out the gender because she is superstitious. LOL She is from Europe and said finding out is something only us in north America do. So I didn't bother telling her that I want to get a 3D ultrasound to confirm.

Lol, my SIL lives in Belgium and they found out the sex during her last pregnancy

ETA: 3d ultrasounds are the same as 2d..just multiple images conformed to make a photo, I believe. Unless you're having hours long ultrasounds, I would not be concerned. My 3d appts (my kiddo was shy) were not much longer than my "regular" ones. My kiddo was a normal weight, went to term, and so on. *shrugs*

I think some schools of thought would have pregnant people live in a bubble and eat only foods beginning with the letter P, lol

[AllisonPitbullLvr]

I checked with a friend whose an ultrasound technician who has said there have been a ton of studies, none of which has shown any harmful effects. But because they still create energy, even though it's a very small amount, and because we can't predict that we won't discover that they aren't harmful in the future, the FDA has said use them only when medically necessary. But there have been no studies that prove they are harmful. I'm glad you brought that up, I had never heard anything.

[Dogdragoness]

What is unhealthy? about 3D ultra sounds?

It's too bad if they are risky ... They look so cool.

[milos_mommy]

Originally Posted by Dogdragoness

What is unhealthy? about 3D ultra sounds?

It's too bad if they are risky ... They look so cool.

It's not that there's something specifically unhealthy, it's just that there's not a lot of information on the long term effects. 3d ultrasounds also emit more ultrasound waves than a 2d ultrasound would...and there are no studies on the effects of higher amounts of ultrasound waves on a fetus. It's known that the ultrasound generates heat, which can be potentially dangerous for a fetus, hence not being allowed in hot tubs or saunas when pregnant, and that it's extremely loud, so there is speculation that it could effect hearing development. Supposedly it's also shown damage to mice and lab animals.

ETA: There's also a pretty reliable study done saying that ultrasound exposure in utero increased rates of left-handedness, which, while not dangerous, does point to ultrasounds having some effect on brain development.

[jenv101]

Yeah I've heard similar warnings about ultrasounds. That they can affect cell development and the stuff you've mentioned Mm. Same thing with dopplers. It would be nice if there were more studies or proof one way or another but that seems to be a problem with pregnancy. Who is going to volunteer for something potentially dangerous. Same issue with vaccines and other drugs used during pregnancy and labour. Best to err on the side of caution IMO!

[milos_mommy]

Yup, I've had a few ultrasounds done (one for confirmation at the ER, one for nuchal, and will have another for anatomy in a few weeks), and am not concerned about those at all, but personally I wouldn't get one just for the sake of seeing the baby - or get a 3d without serious medical need for it.

[jenv101]

Here is a good article one the subject http://wholepregnancy.org/index.php?...more&moreid=17

[Barbara!]

Opinions on smoking marijuana while pregnant?