Some of the information given in the last issue was somewhat misleading. I am not a sonographer but I am married to one. The transducers used in ultrasound have various frequencies to penetrate different tissues. The transducers "not suitable for fetal studies" simply do not have the correct wavelengths to penetrate deeply enough to get an image. They would more likely be used for superficial studies such as for carotid arteries, etc. Different transducers will be used for fetal studies depending on the route (vaginal vs. abdominal) and the weight of the mother (abdominal adipose tissue).
For those who really want accurate information on the risks vs. benefits of ultrasound, what the policies are and the guidelines of the governing agencies are, I would recommend getting on the Internet and doing some reading. HealthGate ob-ultrasound.net would be a good start. For mothers who refuse an ultrasound scan during pregnancy (because they think it is unsafe), they would also want to refuse (I would think) Doppler for FHT during prenatal visits and in labor for the same reasons. However I am unaware of any studies that have shown fetal damage--physical or mental--due to diagnostic ultrasound examinations.
-Jeanne Batacan
Reprinted from Midwifery Today E-News (Vol 2 Issue 12 March 24, 2000)
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