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Risks
By Mayo Clinic staffRoutine fetal ultrasounds are considered safe for both mother and baby. Improper use of fetal ultrasound, however, can't be considered entirely risk-free. Although researchers haven't noted any adverse effects of fetal ultrasound on children followed for several years after birth, caution remains important.
Fetal ultrasound also has limitations. Fetal ultrasound may not detect all birth defects — or may incorrectly suggest a birth defect is present when it's not.
- Routine tests in pregnancy. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp133.cfm. July 24, 2009.
- Shipp TD. Ultrasound examination in obstetrics and gynecology. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 24, 2009.
- Shipp TD. Physics and safety of diagnostic ultrasound in obstetrics and gynecology. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 24, 2009.
- Routine prenatal ultrasonography as a screening tool. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed July 24, 2009.
- Ultrasound. March of Dimes. http://www.marchofdimes.com/professionals/14332_1167.asp. Accessed July 24, 2009.
- Keepsake fetal imaging. American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine. http://www.aium.org/publications/viewStatement.aspx?id=31. Accessed July 23, 2009.
- Avoid fetal "keepsake" images, heartbeat monitors. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm095508.htm. Accessed July 23, 2009.
- Ectopic pregnancy. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp155.cfm. Accessed July 27, 2009.
- Special tests for monitoring fetal health. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp098.cfm. Accessed July 28, 2009.
- Fetal echocardiography. The American Heart Association. http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4686. Accessed July 28, 2009.
- Ultrasonography in pregnancy. Washington, D.C.: The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.guideline.gov/summary/pdf.aspx?doc_id=14180&stat=1&string=ultrasonography+AND+pregnancy. Accessed July 28, 2009.
