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Getting an Ultrasound at the Shopping Mall [Fetal Foto]
CBS ^ | September 6, 2002

Posted on 10/02/2002 4:53:56 AM PDT by Aquinasfan

(CBS) Has the next generation of high-tech medicine arrived at the shopping mall? The latest in three-dimensional ultrasound is capable of painting a picture of a fetus in more detail than ever before, to the delight of many mothers-to-be and the concern of many doctors. Dr. Emily Senay reports for The Early Show.

"Fetal Fotos" in Pasadena, Calif., is a photo shop where the newest generation in ultrasound equipment meets, well, the newest generation. It's one of a number of stores nationwide selling ultra-clear images of unborn children to their mothers-to-be.

This is not your mother's ultrasound machine. These brand-new high-tech marvels create incredible color images. Still, it's not a doctor's office. Technicians use the machinery for entertainment purposes -- something both the FDA and many doctors find troublesome.

Doctors are concerned that non-medical ultrasounds may create anxiety over perceived problems that require riskier and more invasive follow-up tests, or that parents will end up wasting their money on these unnecessary tests.

Three-dimensional ultrasound holds great promise for use in medicine, but we'll have to wait for the results of ongoing studies before we can be certain of its benefits in comparison to traditional ultrasound. Right now, the best person to tell you when and why to get an ultrasound is your own doctor.


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; US: California
KEYWORDS: abortionlist; catholiclist; fetalfoto; prolife; shoppingmall; ultrasound
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Strange that CBS decided to focus on the fact that,

"Doctors are concerned that non-medical ultrasounds may create anxiety over perceived problems that require riskier and more invasive follow-up tests, or that parents will end up wasting their money on these unnecessary tests"

rather than on the fact that these tests will absolutely and fundamentally revolutionize the debate regarding abortion. Doctors should be rejoicing that mothers will be bonding with their unborn children at an early age. This bond will incline mothers toward better prenatal care for their infants and may even change the minds of some mothers who intend to have their babies dismembered at Planned Parenthood.

The article also states that:

"Technicians use the machinery for entertainment purposes -- something both the FDA and many doctors find troublesome."

For lack of a better expression, I can only say, "F--- the FDA."

1 posted on 10/02/2002 4:53:56 AM PDT by Aquinasfan
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To: Artist; *Catholic_list
Can someone bump the pro-life list, if there is one?
2 posted on 10/02/2002 4:55:02 AM PDT by Aquinasfan
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Fetal Fotos web-site.

The images are heartrending. 30+ million dead since 1973. And people think God isn't merciful?

3 posted on 10/02/2002 5:00:59 AM PDT by Aquinasfan
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Gift Certificates

A great stocking stuffer!

4 posted on 10/02/2002 5:02:40 AM PDT by Aquinasfan
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To: Aquinasfan
"...ultra-clear images of unborn children..."

Huh? Why, I thought it was just a "tissue mass"...
Thier ghastly scam may be comming to an end - gee, and on the heels of a Republican take-over of the senate - what a shame!!!
Big BUMP for life.

5 posted on 10/02/2002 5:03:03 AM PDT by Psalm 73
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To: Aquinasfan
This sounds more like the doctors getting upset that a commercial venture is crowding their turf.

More about the money than morals it seems.

6 posted on 10/02/2002 5:03:24 AM PDT by tcostell
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To: tcostell
This sounds more like the doctors getting upset that a commercial venture is crowding their turf.

You're right. Of course, I doubt they interviewed any pro-life doctors.

7 posted on 10/02/2002 5:07:32 AM PDT by Aquinasfan
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To: Aquinasfan
My obstetrician refused to do ultra-sounds except when medically indicated. She told me that ultra-sound can damage cells and is the same technology used to break up kidney stones.
8 posted on 10/02/2002 5:12:21 AM PDT by Varda
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To: Psalm 73
Thier ghastly scam may be comming to an end

The next step is to get the gift-certificates into the hands of "at-risk" mothers. I'm open to ideas.

I'm very familiar with the work of a local crisis pregnancy center that performs ultrasound examinations. 80+% of women who see their babies decide to keep their babies. Less than 20% of those who don't see their babies decide to keep their babies.

This is why Planned Parenthood doesn't show its victims their ultrasounds. (And also because they often "abort" non-existent babies).

I'm also concerned as to how these operations will handle liability issues. Qualifications for technicians vary from state to state. Fortunately for the babies the regulations are fairly loose right now. Expect Planned Infanticide to sabotage these places with regulatory red tape or lawsuits.

Question for malpractice attorneys: what is the legal standing of these businesses? Where are they most vulnerable?

9 posted on 10/02/2002 5:16:52 AM PDT by Aquinasfan
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To: Varda
Sure, if it's focused. That sounds like a pretty lame excuse- Ive never heard of any damage from an ultrasound that wasn't intended. You have to create a focal point where the waves cross, which creates a turbulence at that point only.
10 posted on 10/02/2002 5:18:31 AM PDT by ovrtaxt
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To: Varda
She told me that ultra-sound can damage cells and is the same technology used to break up kidney stones.

I suppose that's possible, at least to some extent. My wife had the same concerns. But that probably has to do with the energy and type of radiation. I'm sure GE's legal department has looked into it.

11 posted on 10/02/2002 5:20:04 AM PDT by Aquinasfan
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Ultra-Fancy Ultrasound Technology
Jul. 6, 2001

(CBS)  The ultrasound procedure is a familiar one for mothers-to-be. It checks the baby's progress inside the womb.

But the images created by new ultrasound technology are remarkably different from what you may be used to. They are so detailed you can count the fingers and toes, and even see an unborn infant yawn.

It's called "4D" technology. The fourth dimension is time--a high-speed computer enhancement of ultrasound scans that creates a live picture of life before birth.

"This is adding a new dimension, you are able to see the surface features of the baby much more clearly; you are able to diagnose abnormalities like cleft lip and palate much more easily," says Dr. Stuart Campbell, an obstetrician. [What's that about? Not aborting them I hope.]

Doctors say mothers who see their babies this early are more likely to give up smoking and drinking and watch their diets [and, oh yeah, killing their babies].

"Seeing it on this you can actually--you feel like you can see around the edges of the face--so, yeah, it definitely gave it more of a human feature," says expectant mother Lucy Jones.

More than satisfying curiosity or reassuring parents, there's potential in this technology for a range of medical benefits, even life-saving treatment. It may help doctors diagnose heart problems and perform precision biopsies.

But the sensation it's causing right now is in the obstetrician's office. [Not for long.]

"Previously, when we had the earlier scans they were much more medical--sort of just measuring limbs and all that sort of stuff. But this time actually, you really feel as if you sort of can really bond with the baby," says expectant father Simon Jones.

Two months before birth, parents can already say: "Gee honey, he looks a lot like you."

12 posted on 10/02/2002 5:28:40 AM PDT by Aquinasfan
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To: ovrtaxt; Aquinasfan
Her point was that it's best to be cautious with any medical technology. Those sound waves do reach the fetus and in the hands of trained personal, it's safe. But what is the training of the mall personal? Can they tell when a machine is functioning correctly and who do they have on staff in case something goes wrong?

I'll admit that I had not a care in the world about ultra-sound before she talked to me about it. It was a lesson in prudence that I appreciated.
13 posted on 10/02/2002 5:33:58 AM PDT by Varda
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To: Psalm 73
How long before Planned Parenthood tries to get these machines taken off the market?

(steely)

14 posted on 10/02/2002 5:51:48 AM PDT by Steely Tom
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To: Vic3O3
Ping!
15 posted on 10/02/2002 5:54:12 AM PDT by dd5339
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To: Varda
But what is the training of the mall personal? Can they tell when a machine is functioning correctly and who do they have on staff in case something goes wrong?

I think it's safe to assume that they're abiding by the same state regs that apply to doctors' offices. Notice the wimpy nature of the doctors' complaints.

Massachusetts is the only state, as far as I know, where ultrasound exams must be "backed up" by a doctor. And even there, the doctor doesn't have to be in the same building. The exam can be sent via computer to a remote location and the doctor is obligated to review the film in something like 12-24 hours.

In an emergency (like a potential miscarriage) I assume that the staff is obligated to call an ambulance or recommend hospital treatment.

16 posted on 10/02/2002 6:03:12 AM PDT by Aquinasfan
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To: Varda
In Europe they routinelly use MRI's instead of ultrasound for prenatal checkups. Much more detailed and usefull for finding correctable problems.
17 posted on 10/02/2002 6:05:53 AM PDT by heckler
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To: Aquinasfan
I'm wondering if, some day, a child will remember being in the womb, and "hearing this gawd-awful, high-pitched whining sound that drove me absolutely nuts!".
18 posted on 10/02/2002 6:06:57 AM PDT by MrB
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To: Aquinasfan
"...local crisis pregnancy center..."

Oh, truely doing God's work in the trenches.
If one does not know how they can help, just look them up in the yellow pages, call and ask them how you can help.
Anything from prayer, to cash donations, to baby clothes, to manning hot-lines, and other things you might not even think of.
Help a women's crisis pregnancy center in any way you can - and save a life today...

19 posted on 10/02/2002 6:22:09 AM PDT by Psalm 73
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To: Aquinasfan
Notice the wimpy nature of the doctors' complaints."

I wouldn't be surprised if there are doctors out there defending turf (it's so hard to be an obstetrician these days) however I don't dismiss their warning out of hand. Pregnant women can be stressed by a lot of things, I know I was. Worrying about extra tests and taking them is something I'm glad to have avoided.

20 posted on 10/02/2002 6:29:53 AM PDT by Varda
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