Why supervise professional obstetric scans?

THERE are several points I would like to make in response to your article on 3D scans (Irish Examiner, June 22).

I am a radiographer and havel been qualified in obstetric, gynaecological and general ultrasound scanning for 14 years — most of them spent performing obstetric ultrasounds.

I can only comment on my own practice, but I and the colleague who works with me possess the same obstetric ultrasound qualification as the radiographers and midwives performing obstetric scans in maternity hospitals.

The suggestion that obstetric scanning should be undertaken under constant supervision of a medical doctor completely denigrates the high standards and skills that are needed to qualify in the exam. Should sonographers be unhappy with a scan, it is common practice to seek further opinion.

Every woman coming to me or my colleagues for a 3D scan is made aware that it is purely for the purpose of seeing a baby’s face. In this instance, for these scans we do not diagnose abnormalities or estimate foetal weight and, most importantly, the 3D scan does not in any way replace a complete diagnostic scan performed by the woman’s maternity hospital.

Listening to comments by many women coming for a 3D scan, it is apparent that routine mid-trimester diagnostic ultrasound scans are not available to every woman in every maternity hospital.

As mentioned in your article, 3D scans are commonplace and accepted in the US and Britain.

I am at a loss to see how having pictures of your baby’s face — be it on DVD or in photographs — can be harmful or damaging in any way. The whole experience of a 3D scan appears to have a very positive effect on not only the mother, but also the father of the baby, and this can only be a good thing.

I would have thought not having a scan would be more harmful.

Paula Tunney

Orwell Medical Clinic

170 Orwell Road

Rathgar

Dublin 6