Doctor details ultrasound concerns

For many moms, a prenatal photo album is as important today as a baby shower. Sometimes, high-tech photos are part of the baby shower entertainment.

What do pregnant women need to know before booking an ultrasound? Dr. Phillip H. Stratemeier, who specializes in radiology at St. Anthony Hospital in Oklahoma City, answered these questions on the subject of nonmedical, pre-natal ultrasounds.

Q:What is your opinion on "designer ultrasound boutiques” that offer 3-D and 4-D ultrasounds for parents to see better pictures of their baby?

A:First, we need to define a ... boutique ultrasound as a place primarily set up to use ultrasound to show pictures of a woman's baby without a request from the mother's physician. While by law they must be operated under the direction of a licensed physician, rarely is one present to supervise. This is a medical test using sound waves, and while it seems safe, it still should be done with care by a licensed ultrasonographer under the direction of an experienced physician.

Q:Are the ultrasounds safe?

A:We don't know how safe they are when they aren't done under the supervision of a licensed physician. Ultrasound has been used to define the health of a developing baby in the womb for several decades. In the hands of experienced physicians or their trained sonographers, it is a relatively safe procedure. But the long-term effects of ultrasound on a developing baby may not be fully known; thus, the procedure is regulated by the state.

Q:What is driving this trend?

A:Mothers want to see their developing baby. It's natural. The owners of the boutiques see an opportunity to make money by showing pictures just like photographers specializing in children's photography. Women are willing to pay the price. Since these aren't diagnostic exams with strict criteria, they can be performed quickly at minimal cost and can turn a profit.”

Q:What should a pregnant woman know about ultrasound boutiques?

A:These exams ... are not done with the care a diagnostic exam is done, following set guidelines looking at each part of the anatomy and measuring structures for correct development. The exam may not show enough of the baby to exclude some abnormality. Thus, a mother should not feel confident that the baby is healthy just because it looks cute.

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