Doctors Call For Stop To Ultrasound 'Keepsake' Photos

[The Straight Story]

Doctors Call For Stop To Ultrasound 'Keepsake' Photos

POSTED: 5:26 pm EST February 3, 2006
UPDATED: 6:55 pm EST February 3, 2006

Central Florida prenatal doctors are calling for a stop to so-called "keepsake" ultrasound souvenir photos of unborn babies that are sometimes performed by unqualified workers, according to a Problem Solvers report.

Local 6 News reported that the debate over "keepsake" ultrasounds is playing out in several states. Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott has already stopped them, according to the report.

Insurance does not pay for the photos and most doctors will not prescribe them. However, the "keepsake" ultrasound franchise has become a hit, according to the report.

The United Imaging Partners company lists seven franchise sites in Florida, including Orlando.



http://www.local6.com/health/6715835/detail.html

[SmokingJacket]

1. Wow! Is that what you can see with ultrasound these days?

Sheesh, in his ultrasound my son (born 8 years ago) looked like butternut squash with eyeholes...

[Ilsa]

3. Yeah, and they'll record movement on vhs for you. See my post #2. eom

[bush_is_wacko]

9. My kids too. Hubby was ecstatic over the little appendage sticking out

of an indistinguishable "picture" of my sons behind! He took the picture everywhere and showed everyone. My daughters "picture" wasn't any better. We saved them for their baby books but, honestly, they look like monsters not babies.

This new technology is pretty cool though. I saw it on the Oprah show a while back.

[Ilsa]

2. Mothering Magazine ran a good article on this

five+ years ago. The author discussed how it is helpful for risky pregnancies and how it aids in investigating issues such as position of placenta, etc. She also discussed concerns:

A number of studies have suggested that these effects are of real concern in living tissues. The first study indicating problems analyzed cells grown in the lab. Cell abnormalities caused by exposure to ultrasound were seen to persist for several generations.23 Another study showed that, in newborn rats (who are at a similar stage of brain development as humans at four to five months in utero), ultrasound can damage the myelin that covers nerves,24 indicating that the nervous system may be particularly susceptible to damage from this technology. In 1999, an animal study by Brennan and colleagues, reported in New Scientist,25 showed that exposing mice to dosages typical of obstetric ultrasound caused a 22 percent reduction in the rate of cell division, and a doubling of the rate of cell death in the cells of the small intestine.

Studies on humans exposed to ultrasound have shown possible adverse effects, including premature ovulation,26 preterm labor or miscarriage,27, 28 low birthweight,29 poorer condition at birth,30, 31 dyslexia,32 delayed speech development,33 and less right-handedness,34, 35 a factor which in some circumstances can be a marker of damage to the developing brain. In addition, one Australian study showed that babies exposed to five or more ultrasounds were 30 percent more likely to develop intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR)--a condition that ultrasound is often used to detect.36

I thought the author did a pretty good job. I was dismayed to hear recently that my OBGYN's office offers high resolutio 4D ultrasound on videotape for a big fee, like $150. I'm convinced it's a gravy train for them.

http://www.mothering.com/articles/pregnancy_birth/birth_preparation/ultrasound-risks.html

[ingac70]

4. Doctors afraid of the being sued....

When something in the ultrasound that should be obvious to a professional goes missed by the doctors.

My sister had a similar problem when the quacks at the poor folks hospital wouldn't let her have a tape of her ultrasound (not to mention, she wasn't ALLOWED to see a doctor, had to have a nurse midwife because she was uninsured.)

[Horse with no Name]

5. Just for the record

She might have seen a Nurse Midwife, but Nurse Midwives are thoroughly trained to detect problems and to refer high risk pregnancies to the physicians.
Every Nurse Midwife has a physician back-up.
If your sister never saw a physician, then she had an uncomplicated pregnancy and delivery.
Parkland Hospital in Dallas delivers more babies than any other facility every year and many of the births are attended by midwives and not physicians.
I support a National Healthcare Plan 100%.
If this ever comes to pass--midwives will become more prominent than ever because they are highly skilled and cost effective and I have no problems with that.
http://www.texasmidwives.com/TexasMidwivesChart.htm
CNMs independently manage women's health care services relating to pregnancy, childbirth, the postpartum period, family planning, and routine gynecological needs. They may also provide normal newborn care and primary health care for women.

They consult, collaborate, or refer to other health professionals for patient care issues outside of their area of competency.

CNMs may have prescriptive authority delegated by a collaborating physician if the CNM meets the requirements of the BNE.

[SPKrazy]

6. This Article Is Talking About "Keepsake" Ultrasound 3D Technology

Not used by doctors

But you are right, doctors don't like to let people tape the ultrasound anymore because they run the risk of being sued and their malpractice carriers tell them they can't allow that anymore.

[LeftyMom]

8. That's actually a good thing

One thing nearly every country with better infant mortality rankings than the US has is a good midwifery system for uncomplicated deliveries.

OB/GYN is a surgical specialty, a healthy woman is better off with a midwife's training in managing vaginal birth.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

7. We Did It, And It Was Awesome! If You Can Afford It I'd Recommend It To

anybody. Very cool experience.