Ottawa (ECN) - The Public Health Agency of Canada has released the results of a study, which ran from October 2006 through January 2007.
The study revealed that Canadian doctors may be overusing ultrasound with their pregnant patients. Of the 6,421 women surveyed, greater than 90% stated they received some form of fetal monitoring during labor, while 67% of the surveyed women stated they were monitored continuously.
The number of women who stated they received at least one ultrasound during their pregnancy was 99.8%
About 80% of Canadian women were pleased with their prenatal care and birthing experiences. Something else revealed by the study, which if corrected, will benefit Nunavut mothers, is that these women are not being as well educated in prenatal care, as women in the rest of the country.
Nunavut mothers lack sufficient information on abuse, smoking, post-partum depression, correct sleeping placement for infants, and nutrition, particularly the need for folic acid.
While ultrasound is used in thousands of pregnancies with no repercussions, the safety of this procedure is not completely known. Canadian guidelines recommend one ultrasound at 18-19 weeks, per routine pregnancy, along with a discussion of the procedure’s safety.
The American College of and Gynecologists, and the National Institute of Health in the US, does not recommend routine ultrasound for all pregnancies, while the World Health Organization suggests ultrasound only if indicated, or possibly one around 18 weeks of gestation only.
Some practitioners have expressed concern that some gynecologists may be overusing ultrasounds to help finance their practice and equipment.
While ultrasounds are a useful tool, particularly in high risk pregnancies, their use should be determined on a case-by-case basis. Further research into the safety of this commonly used procedure needs to obtained. While ultrasounds do not seem to have been proven risky, neither have they been proven risk-free.
