Medically Necessary Reasons for Performing Ultrasounds on Every Pregnant Woman
Ultrasounds are Critical for the Health of the Mother and Child
Despite Planned Parenthood’s contention that more than two ultrasounds are not medically necessary is simply a way of avoiding, as much as possible, the connection a mother has with her child prior to birth. Experience shows Planned Parenthood wants to eliminate any obstacles between the woman and killing her child.[11] Even in Planned Parenthood’s own words, ultrasounds don’t show you pictures of your baby, they, “show you and your provider an image of your uterus.” Let’s not mention baby. However, Ultrasounds during pregnancy are a critical tool for monitoring the health and development of both the mother and the fetus. Here are the key medically necessary reasons for performing ultrasounds:
- Confirming Pregnancy and Gestational Age: Ultrasounds can confirm a pregnancy and accurately determine gestational age, which is crucial for monitoring the pregnancy’s progress and planning appropriate prenatal care[3][6].
- Detecting Fetal Heartbeat: The fetal heartbeat can typically be detected by ultrasound as early as 5-6 weeks of pregnancy. This is an important milestone that helps confirm the viability of the pregnancy[5].
- Assessing Fetal Development: Ultrasounds are used to monitor the development of the fetus, including the growth of organs and limbs. This helps in identifying any developmental abnormalities early on[3][7].
- Checking for Multiple Pregnancies: Ultrasounds can detect if a woman is carrying more than one fetus, which is important for managing the pregnancy and preparing for potential complications associated with multiple births[7].
- Evaluating Placental Position and Amniotic Fluid Levels: The position of the placenta and the amount of amniotic fluid are critical factors in a healthy pregnancy. Ultrasounds help in identifying issues such as placenta previa or oligohydramnios (low amniotic fluid), which can require special management[8].
- Identifying Birth Defects: Ultrasounds can detect various birth defects, including neural tube defects and heart anomalies, allowing for early intervention and planning for necessary medical care after birth[8].
- Monitoring High-Risk Pregnancies: For pregnancies considered high-risk due to factors such as maternal age, pre-existing medical conditions, or previous pregnancy complications, ultrasounds are essential for more frequent and detailed monitoring[2][6].
Identifying Biological Life – Unborn Babies are Alive
Ultrasounds are also crucial for identifying the presence of biological life within the uterus:
- Detecting Fetal Movement: Ultrasounds can show fetal movements, which are indicators of a healthy and active fetus. This can be reassuring for both the healthcare provider and the parents[3].
- Visualizing the Fetus: The ability to see the fetus on an ultrasound provides visual confirmation of life and development. This can include seeing the fetus’s heartbeat, movements, and growth over time[3][7].
- Parental-Fetal Attachment: Seeing the fetus during an ultrasound can enhance parental-fetal attachment, which has been shown to have positive effects on parental behavior and the emotional well-being of the parents[4].
Planned Parenthood Death-Supporting Arguments Against Ultrasounds
The article from the ACLU and Planned Parenthood challenges new ultrasound requirements, likely on the grounds of medical necessity and patient autonomy. Patient autonomy is another way of saying, “we don’t want a woman choosing anything but the death of her child.” While routine ultrasounds are a standard part of prenatal care, the necessity of multiple or mandatory ultrasounds for every pregnant woman can be debated:
- Medical Necessity: Medical necessity should be described as what is necessary to save a child’s life. According to medical guidelines, routine ultrasounds are typically limited to two per pregnancy unless there are specific medical indications for more frequent imaging[2][6]. Excessive ultrasounds without medical necessity may not provide additional benefits, except saving a child from death, and could lead to unnecessary anxiety or interventions.
- Patient Autonomy and Informed Consent: The risk, from the Planned Parenthood perspective is that the woman will be more likely to choose life if they see an image of their baby prior to an abortion. They say, mandatory ultrasound requirements may infringe on patient autonomy and the right to make informed decisions about their medical care. It is essential that patients are fully informed about the reasons for and potential benefits and risks of ultrasounds, allowing them to make voluntary and informed choices[6][7].
- Cost and Accessibility: Planned Parenthood ignores and thwarts the availability of free ultrasounds provided by Pro Life organizations. They say routine mandatory ultrasounds could increase healthcare costs and may not be accessible to all patients, particularly those in low-resource settings. This could exacerbate existing disparities in prenatal care[7].
In conclusion, while ultrasounds are a valuable tool in prenatal care for monitoring the health of the mother and fetus and identifying biological life. They are an essential part of informed consent and in the decision of mothers to love and keep their babies.
Citations:
[1] https://www.aclu.org/press-releases/aclu-plan
[3] https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/fetal-ultrasound
[4] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6945777/
[5] https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/when-does-a-fetus-have-a-heartbeat
[6] https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/9704-ultrasound-in-pregnancy
[7] https://www.marchofdimes.org/find-support/topics/pregnancy/ultrasound-during-pregnancy
[11] https://care-net.org/center-insights-blog/why-ultrasounds-matter-for-women-planning-abortion/