Pregnancy Ultrasound Concerns: What to Expect and Understand

Question
Hi Brenda

I am 11 weeks and 4 days pregnant. and since I was pregnant through IUI, so the doctors do quite frequently ultrasound on me.

For example, on week 5, 6 and 7, I had transvaginal ultrasound on each week, and on week 8, 9 and 10, I had both tranvaginal ultrasound and the one on my belly. And on 11 week, becasue they suspected a problem(loss one of the twins) through the ultrasound on belly, they sent me to a lab for sonogram to check the pelvic area. During the pelvic exam, they checked the fetus and the ovaries and fibroid etc and spent almost 30 minutes putting the scan on my belly. and they confirmed that one of the twins died 2 weeks ago.

I just want to know so frequent ultrasound exam, especially the 30 minutes sonogram will cause any harmul effect on the living fetus? I mean short term and long term effect?

Hence, because I am in high risk category(IUI and my age 39), the doctor told me to see him every 2 weeks, so I can imagine that i have a lot of ultrasound in the coming months, and I am afraid that the ultrasound would harm my baby, such as causing brain defects and delay learning ability as I read some articles in the internet that this might happen.

And also, is it OK for my stage to bend down or knee down now or throughout pregnancy?

And do you know that prune juice is good for pregnant women? and how much is too much? please advise.

Please advise. I really appreciate your patience. Thanks  

Answer
Dear Nita,

Ultrasound has been used in pregnancy for nearly 30 years and medical research has found no side effects. No association has been shown between ultrasound exposure and the baby's birth weight, childhood leukemias or other cancers, eyesight, hearing or dyslexia. Ultrasound does not use radiation, as X-ray tests do.

You can do anything physically during pregnancy that you are comfortable doing. Exercise, in general, is good for you and your developing baby. Obviously you should not lift extremely heavy objects or participate in activities that make you prone to falling, such as skiing, ice skating, roller blading, or rock climbing. High impact aerobics is not recommended because of the extensive jumping, hopping and bouncing during the routine, but low impact aerobics are a good source of exercise. Your center of gravity shifts later in pregnancy which may affect your balance and coordination, making you more susceptible to injury, so just keep that in mind with the activities you choose.

As for prune juice, it is perfectly fine during pregnancy. In fact, many women start to have problems with constipation as changes in the digestive system occur and your digestion slows. A glass of prune juice a day is an excellent natural laxative to help with this pregnancy issue.

I hope this information has helped you and answered your question. I wish you well.

Brenda