Re: No Ultrasound

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I just wanted to let you know that a routine ultrasound at 41 weeks revealed a problem that necessitated emergency induction of labor, and may have resulted in serious complications if not fetal death without intervention.

Ultrasound can be used to pinpoint some birth defects at about 18 weeks, including Down syndrome and spina bifida. This is something you may or may not want to know because there is nothing doctors can do to help except suggest termination.

However, as you get closer to your delivery date, an ultrasound can be used to ascertain the condition of your placenta, the level of amniotic fluid in the uterus, and other parameters including the estimate of fetal weight to make sure that the baby is doing well in utero. I wish I had an ultrasound at 38 or 39 weeks because I think the problem would have been evident by then. I was perfectly healthy, gained a healhty amount of weight, never smoked in my life, and was feeling great, so there was no way to diagnose that I was losing fluid (aka oligohydramnios) other than ultrasound.

Best wishes to you,

--
Katya (not a doctor, just a biochemist)

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