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• December 3, 2012 5:38 p.m.

  what does it mean when umbilicord is attached to placenta in 3 different places?

  - Diana

• October 27, 2012 3:23 p.m.

  I had an ultrasound in 18 weeks as i have a previous miscarriage and the tech detect particles and turbidity in amniotic fluid. she told that this might happen in some normal pregnancies. but I am still very worried. I am 37 years and I am afraid of congenital anomalies. does anyone experience something like that?

  - farida

• June 3, 2012 3:32 p.m.

  I have had complications so I have already had 3 ultrasounds. I absolutely love that I can see my baby move and it gives me peace of mind that I can see that she is ok. I had considered getting a 3D ultrasound as "recreational" but this article put that in perspective for me, I realize that this is a medical procedure and shouldn't be done just because or taken lightly, I would hope that I am not or have not caused any damage to my baby. I will definitely ask my dr. about any known side effects of ultrasounds. Thanks for the comments and the article!

  - Lori

• June 3, 2012 10:28 a.m.

  I think the US at my OG/GYN's office has become quite the money-maker for him, he tries to push it with every other visit at $500. He bully's the MOM with "we want to do everything possible to keep baby safe, don't we," and then implies that you need to find another doc(after he is already paid if you don't go alomg without questioning him too much.)Maybe it should be once and done, or left to MOM and DAD! Here is one MOM who will kiss $5K away and get another doc!

  - TC

• May 4, 2012 9:37 p.m.

  Yeah, seems like very OB is different and each pesorn's case is different. What you have as your 8 week my OB's office does during the 12th week, around the same time as the nuchal. Also, depending on your pregnancy history and number of miscarriages associated with those pregnancy(ies), the number of ultrasounds done may be different too and how early you are seen with 8 weeks being the standard 1st appointment. Personally, I think we should be able to get an ultrasound more often than the usual 3 that my OB's office provides for ppl with normal pregnancies. But I go to a really reputable and awesome practice in the area so I have no real concerning complaints.

  - Tifhanie

• February 25, 2012 12:05 p.m.

  Ultrasound for social media just arrived in fact! Check out http://vuebaby.com

  - Carlota

• February 1, 2012 7:17 p.m.

  Though I did get an ultrasound initially to detect gestational age (at the strong urging of my midwife because my periods had been irregular), I won't be going back for another unless circumstances demand it. Most folks in the field I've spoken with say that an ultrasound for a young, healthy woman without any identified risk factors is totally optional. In that case, I opt out. People can't believe it! "How do you know your baby's growing?". Um, do I even have to answer that? ;) I'd also be very curious about a study that deals with children that get multiple ultrasounds vs. kids that get one or none at all. Though it was the 80s and certainly en vouge, my mom (a midwife at the time) never had an ultrasound with me or my siblings.

  - jessie

• August 24, 2011 4:24 p.m.

  I agree with Michael, an ongoing study of women who do and don't have ultrasounds performed during pregnancy could reveal if babies experiences any negative effects from ultrasound while developing in the womb. I am 30 years old so my husband and I are hoping to begin a family in the near future. If I become pregnant, I will be very cautious about exposing my unborn child to ultrasound. I hope to go through pregnancy without having any ultrasounds performed as I would not want to unknowingly harm my baby. In addition, I hope to not be induced and let the baby come when he or she is ready. I am so thankful for medical advances and at the same time feel that caution is important, especially when there is uncertianty regarding lasting effects of even standard medical procedures.

  - Anne

• June 24, 2011 4:49 a.m.

  Thank you for this article. Ultrasound is medical procedure first, but let's be honest it also gives us joy. I know it gives me joy. 7wekenzwanger

  - 7wekenzwanger

• May 10, 2011 5:04 p.m.

  Is Mayo offering an ultrasound -free pregnancy ? If not maybe you should encourage an ongoing prospective study, to one day compare subtle disorders, in particular autism, in mothers who do not get routine ultrasound. Just a suggestion, but there is enough heat generated by the beam to disrupt colony formation in cultures of bacteria. Just an idea.

  - Michael

• April 29, 2011 2:01 p.m.

  Thank you Ms. Murry for posting this. So many people look at ultrasound as a form of recreation and not the medical procedure it is. Ultrasound technicians should also be very aware the the small amounts of heat that can increase while doing to ultrasound. It's minimal but better to keep things moving and not stay in the same spot for too long.

  - Amy

• April 26, 2011 9:36 p.m.

  NO! You are risking your baby's future. When the baby is ready to be born, he or she will be. Induction increases the risk of breathing complications to your baby, and increases the likelihood of you having a surgical birth. The pitocin drip used to induce births has its own risks. A surgical birth increases the risks to both you and your baby. You WILL make it another three weeks, and will know that you've allowed your baby to grow and develop in your own uterus rather than in an incubator.

  - Laura

• April 20, 2011 3:11 p.m.

  i am 37 weeks and me and my husband are not together. i am an emoitional reck. i just want this pregancy over. do you think it would be safe to go ahead and ask my ob-gyn to go ahead and induce me.

  - renee