Читать книгу Informed Choices in Motherhood - Fiona Lee - Страница 29

 A fetoscope, which is a more traditional way to listen to a baby’s heart rate without the risks of ultrasounds. (This is what my homebirth midwife used to listen to my baby’s heartbeat throughout both of my pregnancies.)

 A pinard horn is another alternative - This is a horn-shaped device (usually made from wood or metal). You can request for your midwife or doctor to use a fetoscope or pinard if you are looking for a less invasive alternative to ultrasounds.

A fetoscope which my midwife used to listen to my baby's heartbeat in pregnancy.

“Although ultrasound may sometimes be useful when specific problems are suspected, my conclusion is that it is at best ineffective and at worse dangerous when used as a ‘screening tool’ for every pregnant woman and her baby. […] Treating the baby as a separate being, ultrasound artificially splits mother from baby well before this is a physiological or psychic reality. This further… sets the scene for possible but to my mind artificial conflicts of interest between mother and baby in pregnancy, birth and parenting” - Sarah Buckley MD.³³

This is not to suggest that ultrasounds should not be used in cases when they are medically indicated. It is worth discussing in depth the known risks and the potential benefits with your prenatal care provider prior to having prenatal ultrasounds. Look at the bigger picture and never discount your gut instinct.