When someone tries to force me it makes me want to do it less...but what about this?!


Question: When someone tries to force me it makes me want to do it less...but what about this.?
I am 20 weeks pregnant with my 3rd (and final) child. We have always wanted 3 and feel very blessed and happy. I had an ultrasound at 10 weeks and the baby looked great. I came home and read all about ultrasounds and read that Yale did a study that showed neurological issues in baby mice that had been "scanned." Now this study was done by Yale, the ivy league school, not some weirdo doctor from Iceland or something. The study showed that the ultrasound ran for a half hour and was "intense."

Part 2 of this is that my oldest daughter has high functioning autism. She has "sensory issue" and with a lot of research and some treatments she is doing so much better. When I was reading on babycenter.com about being preg at 20 weeks it said that all the sensory organs are developing now.

So I simply told my midwife at my last visit that I cancelled the 20 week ultrasound and I prefer not to have one. She simply said that I would be kicked out of the practice if I refused the ultrasound.

I was pretty stunned. I am healthy with two healthy children. I had two great births with no complication on my due date both times. My bloodwork looked fine and it is very rare to find complications during ultrasounds (my midwife said 99.9% of babies look great on ultrasounds). Finally there is no back up, really big really solid, well publicized study done to show either way if it is affecting our children. I know it is just sound waves and I know they help a lot of people and I know that many people have many ultrasounds and their kids turn out fine. But my kids have the autism gene and autism can be triggered by goodness knows what, but most likely environmental factors. I feel like this may include an ultrasound and If to me, this seems like it would be worse for my baby than better, shouldn't I have the choice and not be kicked out. also...when someone tries to bully me into doing something that I know is not right for me, it makes me dig my heels in more. But there is a baby here and I need to protect it. The doctors did not protect my babies when they shot them up with vaccines that triggered autism in my oldest and dysphasia in my 2nd. I truly think the side effects of "progress" harm my kids. Even the birth center here in town says I have to have an ultra sound. So what am I supposed to do.?...have my baby behind a bush somewhere.?

Finally, I know that it is very unlikey anyone will agree with me for many reasons, the biggest being that doctors and midwives order ultrasounds for people every day and I am sure could not bare to do this if they had any doubt in their minds that it could be harming the babies in any way at all. also, every other mom out there has received ultrasounds....and what mother wants to think for a second it could have been the wrong decision for her baby to have an ultrasound when she is trying so hard to protect her little one in her belly and to do everything right.?

So you see, I am kind of on my own with this one except for a couple of studies that have not been retested and just sort of glossed over. When I brought up the studies to my midwife she said, "Those were very poor studies." My first thought was, well then why not do them again and make sure!!!!.?.?.? Especially if there are any doubts!
I am so tired of doctors saying that no research means it is OK to go ahead with things because it has "not been proven harmful." Is that good enough.? Why not study and make sure instead of the whole, if we don't really know then it is probably OK even though there is this huge increase of autism and neurological issues happening to our children. I think it is time for the medical community to start doing some vigerous research, to listen to mom's who have insight, and to realize that autism is coming from somewhere and we need to find it.

OK, so finally, back to my question. What should I do about being "forced" to have an ultrasound when I don't feel like it is right for my baby.? Thank you and please be thoughtful and not spout anger, because I know this is a "hot subject" and I really need some nurturing, thoughtful answers!!Health Question & Answer


Answers:
If you decide to go against the grain, you have to be ready to deal with the consequences. Have a back up plan ready in case the docs refuse to see you any longer. I would comsult an alternative birthing center in your area if there is one. Bottom line-it's your choice. Do your research and make an educated decision. Remember many docs are under the thumb of the drug companies that also own or have part of the laboratories and other "services" prescribed to you. There is so much more info on Autism now than before. i would try to talk with other moms of children with Autism and see if they think the 20 wk ultrasound is necessary or a cause or what. Ultimately you will make this decision and you will have to handle the consequences-good or bad. I hope for only good for you. I wish I knew more when I was having my kids...Health Question & Answer

Call their bluff.? you can refuse any procedure you want to refuse. If they really do say they're unwilling to work with you, then go work with someone better.

Although ultrasound is a common procedure, and mice are different than people, there isn't really any great body of evidence proving that it's safe; it would be a difficult thing to prove even with extensive experimentation, and people don't like it when you experiment on their babies. If you personally feel that you don't want the procedure, then don't do it. Health Question & Answer

I would NEVER, and I repeat, NEVER continue to go to any health professional that threatened me like that. What happens if you decide you don't want an epidural or something else during labor.? Then she will threaten to leave you to birth your baby alone.? Find another midwife.

No one can force you to have any tests done that you don't wish to do or that you think may be harmful.

Unless your midwife can prove to you that there is reason to believe that you have a specific problem that they are worried about that requires you to have an ultrasound at 20 weeks then don't have it done.

You may be stubborn in general about being forced to do things, but in this case you are wise to listen to your feelings. It is you and you alone who will raise your children and you must do what you feel is best for you and for them.

I would suggest going to speak to the head of the OB practice that this midwife works for and let them know that she is threatening patients and is behaving in an unprofessional and probably illegal manner.Health Question & Answer

I don't know what country you are in but in the UK or NZ you cannot be forced to do anything unless you are sectioned because you are refusing a procedure which will stop you harming yourself. This is called informed consent. As healthy babies have bee produced without the aid of ultrasound for thousands of years should this practitioner be foolish enough to try to do this she would be laughed at.
I must say I feel that the measure she is taking is rather draconian.

Talk to her regulators and see if she can force you to have an Ultrasound. she may not be able to but she may also have no obligation to treat you or take you on as a patient.
As preservation of life overall is cause for medical intervention by a suitably trained practitioner in NZ she would almost certainly have to take you on and respect your wishes because delivery without assistance is potentially life threatening.

This is a difficult choice to make for you. Of course you don't want to harm your baby but you also want the best care available. If she has no obligation to take you on and you are left delivering the baby on your own behind a bush you may decide this is not in your best interests and compromise on a scan.

Perhaps you can just go to another Mid wife.
While I was doing My Osteopathic training there were a couple of students in the college that were midwives first.
Some osteopths do extensive post grad study in OBS and Gynae.
A midwife who became an Osteopath would be a well placed person to see in your circumstance. You may have to pay but if it is that important to you this will probably not be an issue.Health Question & Answer

I agree with you 100%,you already have 2 kids with problems, why have a 3rd with problems, I would have the ultra sounds only if very necessary and done very carefully.There are numerous books and other info on Autism..There is a famous lady that has Autism and has written 1 or more books on the subject,I am sorry I cant remember her name at the moment, but she comes to my town about once a year or every other year for a one or two day seminar that is either free or very low cost and is extremly informative.( Ilive in a very small town, not a major city,but we are not far from the big city.)Health Question & Answer

I agree with you totally. I had a baby doctor. He kept wanting the ultrasounds. I told him I did not feel comfortable having all of the ultrasounds they wanted. Because of the things I read. He said they will not harm the baby. I said will you guarantee that. He said no. I said I WILL NOT do all of the ultrasounds that they wanted. I will only do it if it becomes necessary. So I ended up with three, because I had a few problems. But the baby was fine.

Here you decide you want to do this naturally, and then they try to push the ultrasounds on you that are unnecessary, unless they feel there is something wrong. I would tell her no It makes me worried to have as many ultrasounds as you request. I will do up to .? and that is it. It is my baby and I am the mother. Please let me do what feels comfortable to me. That what I would tell her. I hope this helps and good luck with your pregnancy.Health Question & Answer



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