Ultrasounds and Ear Infections

Hi there,

With both of my kids there were numerous ultrasounds done throughout the pregnancies (both were high risk) and neither of them had an ear infection...not a single one. So, no, I don't believe that there is a connection.

C.

I had a million ultrasounds with both of my pregnancies and maybe had 3 or 4 ear infections total among my three kids (i have twins). they are now 4.5 and 3 years old.

i on the other hand, was born in 1970, so not sure if my mom even got one ultrasound and i had a million ear infections!

not sure if the two are related - i have never heard that before ....

Hi R.,
I had 3 ultrasounds with my daughter who is now 2 1/2 yrs old. She has only had 1 ear infection and she was almost 2 yrs at that time. Every kid I know got a really bad cold and ended up with an ear infection. Ear infections are caused by bacteria in the in the middle ear that enters thru the Eustachian tube. I've never heard of ultrasounds causing higher numbers of ear infections and I asked family members who are doctors. There is some talk about avoiding excessive ultrasound. I googled ultrasound risks and found some interesting info. Ask your OB the reason for multiple ultrasounds. Congrats and enjoy!
L.

I haven't heard anything linking sonograms with ear infections. They do sonograms to confirm the pregnancy, and periodically check on development. You should only have 3 or 4 if everything is normal. I know a lot of exposure is not recommended, and if you are going to get one of those 3D movies done in your third trimester you should try to keep it to 15 minutes or less. Make a list of your questions and take it to consultations with some pediatricians now so that you will feel comfortable and prepared when your little one arrives. Best of luck!

I believe ear infections are caused by illnesses. When I was pregnant with my daughter, now almost 3, I had only 1 ultrasound.She began getting ear infections around 4 months and had them 3-4 times in her first year, and occasionally since then. When I was pregnant with my son, now 8 months, I had an ultrasound at EVERY appointment. I am young (27) and ws not high risk with either pregnancy, but my 2nd pregnancy, I had many ultrasounds, and my son has NOT had a single ear infection. So in my opinion, and that of my pediatrician, is that it is soley a virus!

Hi R.,
This is a new one to me, I heard something else about them. But I still ended up having so many while I was pregnant that I lost count (it was a very healthy prgnancy). For whatever it's worth, my dear daughter is now 5 months old and has not (to date) had a single ear infection.
My suggestion is relax and remember you are going though a LOT right now. There are so many things out there to worry about, this is just one more thing I think to make you crazy as a new mom. Don't let all the new information rob you of your joy and precious sleep right now.
Congratulations and take care!

Hi R.- I too had concerns of this kind re: ultrasound, but more along the lines of whether my children's hearing/musicality or some other capacity might be affected. Over and over I was reassured that no harm would come, and I was talked into one ultrasound each (the old "you look too small for your due date" argument). My kids are fine, but the jury's still out.
I'd say there's a whole lot we don't know, and lots more which we can't easily tease out even if we suspect it, so in general, steer clear of anything unneccessary (like the doppler to hear the heart beat- what's wrong with a good old stethoscope?) Even the last decade has seen a huge increase in exposures to such stimuli, and I can't help but wonder whether it is playing into the rising numbers of educational difficulties, etc our children are facing. Kudos to you for being so careful- R.

Hi R.,
I have 4 children, and one more on the way. 2 of my children had bad ear infections, the other 2 did not. They had the same # of ultrasounds. I don't think there is any correlation between the 2. Good luck.
B.

Never heard of the conections? But I have had 3 children and each one had quite a few ultrasounds for different reasons and the only ear infections that my children have had was my youngest at 6 weeks had gotten a bad cold and had an ear infection...which I think it was because she was born in the winter and her older sister and brother brought the germs home from school. That is the only time we have had and ear infection with our children...who are now 7, 4, and 15 months.
I believe there is more of a conection between formula and ear infections. I believe if you breastfeed as long as you can it has better long term effects between the over all health of your child. I also believe the longer you keep your child off of cows milk the better when it comes to anything that has to do with respitory factors. Do your reserch on breastfeeding vs formula and make the best choice for you. Good luck and you will love being a mommy.

I have 4 year old twins. Because I was considered high risk due to my age and being pregnant with multiples (I otherwise had a very healthy pregnancy), I had ultrasounds pretty frequently. My kids have had maybe 2 ear infections EVER between the 2 of them. So, my (very non-scientific) evidence would say there's no connection....
If you want the ultrasound, especially if your doctor is encouraging it, go for it!

My first child had 3 ultrasounds in all and had 2 ear infections his whole life, both linked to upper respiratory viral infections (cold). As far as my experience tells me, the ultrasound is not what causes the ear infection.

Breastfed babies are thought to do better, but you can investigate this more at http://www.drgreene.com/
Dr. Greene is a Pediatrician at Stanford hospital.

Relax, have fun, and enjoy this time.

I had more than 6 ultrasounds when I was pregnant (they were monitoring his size since big babies run in our families). My son is now 5-1/2 months old and has never had an ear infection. I've read that breastfed babies have less ear infections than bottle fed babies and he is breastfed, so that may help in the future. Personally I loved the ultrasounds because I couldn't wait to see him!!!

Perhaps it is a way for them to charge more money. Tell them at your next visit you don't want it if that is how you feel. Your feelings and your intuition are very powerful tools. Spend time everyday in quiet meditation and feel the love between you and your baby's soul. If it feels right you can create a mantra which goes into the cells of your body and the baby's cells and creates perfection. (this is using information given in the popular manifestation movie called "the Secret")

Some examples of mantra/affirmations "I am a safe haven for love to flourish"
"I am love, I am loving, I am loved" "I am open to the good life within me" (that one has many levels of truth

I had a serious ear infection a few years ago, and the doctor had no idea what was going on. After $5000 of treatment (with no insurance), I turned to alternative medicine. Since that time I have completely healed myself and got off of ALL medications! Look into Reiki, Quantum Touch, EFT for starters. Energy healing can be a great benefit to a new mother and a fantastic way of channeling love for the purpose of healing is a great thing for a child to grow up around. Imagine if all the children of the world grew up in a place where their mothers knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that love cures everything. When they grow up, what kind of a world will they create!?!

Love, L.