Many, many moons ago I studies ethics as a young University student. At the time, Eugenics and medical ethics issues made my blood boil, and perhaps planted a seed for my future life.
Fast forward years to my first pregnancy at age 32. The idea of ultrasound, while cute and fuzzy.. a nice picture of my baby.. something about it didn't sit right with me. Firstly, I knew there was a baby there. I felt it. Why did I need a machine to tell me what I already knew?
Secondly, as I began to understand the medicalisation of pregnancy I was sceptical of the need for dating information, and more and more embracing of the idea that babies come on their birthday, not according to a date from an ultrasound.
Thirdly, flashes back to my university days. I realised I did not actually want to know if my baby had a larger than normal head, or any other 'possible' abnormality, to cause stress and worry, and more tests. I certainly did not want any specific tests for Down syndrome or anything else.
I also was aware of the possibility of false positives and false negatives.
Turns out for me I found a beautiful Midwife, who was very confident with her own hands to monitor growth and development. She was totally comfortable with my choice not to have any ultrasounds.
For each of my pregnancies I have chosen the same.
Sadly our 4th pregnancy ended in miscarriage at around ten weeks. At this point, after over a week of bleeding, in an emergency situation I consulted to an ultrasound. It was to see if my little babe had survived this big bleed, or not. Sadly not. What I saw was a large black spot.
Now in my 5th pregnancy at age 41, I have never had any intention of having a routine ultrasound. So far, there has been no indication of any problems, so we are progressing happily, without machinery to tell as all is OK.
5 comments:
Thanks Rach!! Love your straight forward and honest writing style. You really put into words what I haven't been able to.xxx
Thanks Amy, this subject has been on my mind too.... Just felt like putting it into words. :)
Luckily those who know me pretty well know not to ask if I am having any testing 'at my age'!!!
xx
What about something that wouldn't show up on progress exams? Something like anencephaly or a trisomy? Not necessarily something horrible, either, but something that would help to have fore-knowledge of, like a heart defect or a missing organ; something they wouldn't necessarily notice at birth but could be life threatening. I don't understand why you wouldn't want to know everything possible that could help your child. Ultrasounds aren't just for gender or in making a decision to terminate.
Yes, what Anonymous@7:48am said...what about for conditions that need surgery immediately after birth? Or ectopic pregnancies? Like they said, they aren't just for gender or termination....
thank you for your opinions anonymous.
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