| ournal, Obstetrics and Gynecology, estimated that over | | | | woman. Some common uses include diagnosing and |
| half of all pregnant women in 1990 had undergone | | | | detecting uterine or ectopic pregnancy, noting pelvic |
| diagnostic ultrasound, yet research published in the | | | | inflammatory disease, cysts, tumors uterine cancer, |
| New England Journal of Medicine suggest that 80 | | | | endometriosis and congenital abnormalities. |
| percent of all pregnant women are very low risk and | | | | Ultrasound may compare fetal age and weight, note |
| do not need ultrasounds. The unnecessary ultrasounds | | | | the placement of the placenta, amount of amniotic fluid |
| cost about $1 Billion per year. | | | | that is present and diagnose certain birth defects such |
| Any woman who is told she needs an ultrasound | | | | as neural tube defects. Ultrasound is used during an |
| should ask about the potential benefits of the test and | | | | amniocentesis to verify the baby's position to be sure |
| the risks of the procedure. She should ask if the | | | | that the needle is placed properly. Some physicians |
| results of the ultrasound will affect her care she would | | | | use ultrasound for estimating the fetal weight. This is |
| otherwise receive and how. If the result of the | | | | not a very accurate measurement unless numerous |
| ultrasound will not affect her care, she may question | | | | criteria and scans are checked. Head circumference is |
| the need for the test at all. Only after being completely | | | | one measurement. However, incases of gestational |
| informed about the need for the test, the benefits, and | | | | diabetes, it is inaccurate because these babies gain the |
| the risks, should she sign a consent for the procedure. | | | | additional weight on their bodies only. |
| USES OF ULTRASOUND | | | | Ultrasounds are frequently used to date pregnancies. |
| According to the ACOG patient education flier, | | | | According to Otto and Platt, 1991, in the first trimester |
| "Ultrasound is not necessary for every woman or in | | | | the error range is +5 days, in the second trimester it |
| every pregnancy." It is, however, being used more | | | | increases to +8 days and if done in the final trimester it |
| often as a standard procedure for every pregnant | | | | is +22 days. |