The use of ultrasound scanning in antenatal care is big business, and in any big business marketing is all-important.
As a result of decades of enthusiastic marketing, women believe they can ensure the well-being of their babies by reporting for an early ultrasound scan and that early detection of a problem is beneficial for these babies.
That is not necessarily so, and there are a number of studies which show that early detection can be harmful.
In response to women’s desire for information about the implications of routine ultrasound examinations, Jean Robinson and Beverley Beech wrote the book Ultrasound? Unsound, in which they reviewed the research evidence and drew attention to some of the hazards (Beech and Robinson, 1996). But since then more evidence has accumulated.
Read what Dr. Ben Kim has to say on the dangers of scanning.
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