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Risks

By Mayo Clinic staff

Routine fetal ultrasounds are considered safe for both mother and baby. Researchers haven't noted any adverse effects of fetal ultrasounds in children followed for several years after birth.

Still, caution remains important. The use of fetal ultrasound solely to create keepsakes isn't recommended.

Fetal ultrasound also has limitations. Fetal ultrasound might not detect all birth defects — or might incorrectly suggest a birth defect is present when it's not.

How you prepare Why it's done
References
  1. Frequently asked questions. Special procedures FAQ025. Ultrasound. American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. http://www.acog.org/~/media/For%20Patients/faq025.pdf?dmc=1&ts=20120731T1633444415. Accessed July 31, 2012.
  2. Shipp TD. Ultrasound examination in obstetrics and gynecology. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 1, 2012.
  3. Shipp TD. Basic principles and safety of diagnostic ultrasound in obstetrics and gynecology. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 1, 2012.
  4. Sfakianaki AK, et al. Routine prenatal ultrasonography as a screening tool. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 1, 2012.
  5. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Committee on Practice Bulletins — Obstetrics. ACOG Practice Bulletin No. 101: Ultrasonography in pregnancy. Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2009;113:451.
  6. AIUM practice guideline for ultrasonography in reproductive medicine. American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine. http://www.aium.org/resources/guidelines/reproductiveMed.pdf. Accessed Aug. 1, 2012.
  7. Avoid fetal "keepsake" images, heartbeat monitors. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm095508.htm. Accessed Aug. 1, 2012.
  8. Frequently asked questions. Pregnancy FAQ155. Ectopic pregnancy. American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. http://www.acog.org/~/media/For%20Patients/faq155.pdf?dmc=1&ts=20120801T1519144261. Accessed Aug. 1, 2012.
  9. Frequently asked questions. Pregnancy FAQ098. Special tests for monitoring fetal health. American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology. http://www.acog.org/~/media/For%20Patients/faq098.pdf?dmc=1&ts=20120801T1521295745. Accessed Aug. 1, 2012.
  10. Cope J. Prenatal sonographic diagnosis of fetal cardiac anomalies. http://www.uptodate/index. Accessed Aug. 1, 2012.
  11. Ghidini A. Chorionic villus sampling: Risks, complications, and techniques. www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Aug. 1, 2012.
  12. Ghidini A. Diagnostic amniocentesis. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed Aug. 3, 2012.
  13. Gibbs RS, et al. Danforth's Obstetrics and Gynecology. 10th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Wolters Kluwer Health Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2008. http://www.danforthsobgyn.com. Accessed Aug. 8, 2012.
  14. Harms RW (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Aug. 14, 2012.
MY00777 Oct. 6, 2012

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