Is ultrasound scanning safe?
Ultrasounds are considered safe for both the mother and the baby. Ultrasound scanning has been used for more than 30 years with no risks yet identified. Are there any drawbacks to a routine ultrasound scan? In low-risk pregnancies, ultrasounds are effective at ruling out possible problems, but not as effective in detecting them. Currently, a routine ultrasound detects only 50% of all fetal structural defects. Besides missing some birth defects, a routine ultrasound can occasionally suggest a birth defect when none exists. In low-risk women, there is a 0.1% chance that they will be told their baby has a birth defect when none exists, but follow-up exams usually clear the error.
