For those of you who didn't read the tiny section in a previous post where I mentioned why I wasn't having an ultrasound, this is for you :)
Not so long ago, when pregnant women were being monitored for health and well-being there were other kinds of tests and diagnostics done to ensure this. I say other, meaning tests that we no longer do today. One of these things include x-rays, straight at the developing baby in the womb. They didn't think it was a problem, but as we now know, that is a huge no-no. Well there are now theories and test that are showing that perhaps ultrasounds are harmful too. In the end after doing my research, pondering, and praying about it, my husband and I have decided not to do an ultrasound unless we feel prompted or if some type of health issue arises leading to questions as to whether or not our baby is healthy and doing well.
I have 100% trust in Heavenly Father and feel that when it comes to whether or not to do a procedure that is questionable we would rather rely on what Heavenly Father would tell us, than what science is currently saying. Over and over Science has gone back on things and said, uh, never mind, that isn't good for you. An example would be going back to when the Word of Wisdom was revealed. We all know now that that knowledge is now held up by science, but that wasn't always so...and there are many other things that this has happened with over and over. I feel it is our responsibility to seek out knowledge for ourselves, relying more heavily on the Lord than what man seems to currently think, when it comes to our lives here on Earth. The Lord has just taught me too many times to rely on him in this life. People may call skipping an ultrasound stupid. I just know Heavenly Father loves me and will help guide me if it is necessary. I trust Him, and that's what this life is all about, learning to trust Him.
People would say that it is stupid to think one person could walk on water, or raise someone from the dead. But in reality this DID happen. And while I don't see many of us having a necessity to do that in this life, I do have a testimony, 100% that we all can have that kind of faith. So really, my relying on Heavenly Father to prompt my husband and I if an ultrasound is necessary, is actually not that big a deal.
Oh, and if you have questions about ultrasounds being questionable, if you google it, there are sites that show the testing that has been done leading people to believe that ultrasounds aren't as safe as one might just assume.
7 comments:
Natural Mormon Momma...I found your blog via "Mormon Mommy Blogs' and am intrigued by it! You look like a beautiful woman with a beautiful testimony and outlook. I gave birth four times without ultrasounds (ever) and without anesthesia of any kind. It was "hippy" to be sure in my day, but I've never regretted it. My post for this week is about mommy bodies - I think you'd be interested and would relate. I'd love get your take on the subject.
Mona
Candice,
I think it's neat that you feel really close to the lord. I know that you're blessed by showing faith in him. And, if not getting an ultrasound is showing faith for you, I think that's neat. I can see your justification for not doing so.
I also feel differently for a few different reasons (not that I'm trying to influence you at all, or degrade your stance on the issue, I just think it's important to know both sides).
I am grateful for the advances of modern medicine. I believe heavenly father often helps to prompt those who are at the forefront of modern research and medicine. One example is the ultrasound, itself. It is incredible that we are able to observe the baby non-invasively and see structural or functional anomalies of the fetus. This allows doctors to make changes to the prenatal care for the infant and mother, the prognosis of the baby, the delivery procedures, etc.
The advances in modern medicine now allow children with various abnormalities, to be born. I believe heavenly father is pleased with that and has had his hand in it's development.
I also know the stark contrast between valid, reliable research and what some people call "research". Some people claim to have done studies but because of the design of the experiment, confounding variables influence and affect the results, thus making the test not-reliable. It's important to know that the internet has many so called "research studies" that aren't at all valid or reliable. For example: there are studies "done" that say mud therapy cures autism. When looked into however,the research was designed to support the treatment method and to make a company money. I feel bad for the mothers that believed it was true research and paid the thousands of dollars to have their children put in a pool of mud.
Another thing I wanted to say is that there is a difference between the word of wisdom situation and your scenario, since one was revealed to us by the prophet and one is jut a theory of man. Obviously, it would be a whole other story if President Monson received revelation saying ultrasounds were bad.
I do believe in personal revelation, so if you feel FOR YOU ultrasounds might be wrong at this time, that is really neat. I just don't think a so called study on the internet can discount everything the ultrasound has done for us and prove that it is harmful. I have yet to find a peer-reviewed, reliable and valid study, without confounding variables, that even suggests they could be the least bit dangerous.
Sorry this is so long, ha ha. I guess I just had a lot to say :) Love you!!
I guess in my opinion I don't think that it would hurt the baby. From what I've read and believe about ultrasounds they are safe. I guess I could be wrong and I'm coming from my own spiritual experiences but I do believe in science. I truely believe that science and religion go hand and hand. I don't think that Russel M. Nelson from the Quorum of the 12 would have been a heart surgeon if the Lord was against medical advances. I also think that he was a caring doctor and didn't just do it for the money. I am not suggesting that you didn't have your own promptings about the ultrasound and the medical field I am just saying that medical advances are right for me.
i really appreciated this post...somethings are just hard to say/share.
i totally agree with this! i was already doubting the safety of ultrasounds but my silly medical midwife just KEPT on ordering ultrasounds and i was too chicken to just be like, why? so i had them and i regret it. with the next one i think i will definitely only have one (instead of four!) and possibly none at all. it would be fun not to know the sex!
also, i love the name lillian and was totally going to name my first baby that if it was a girl. which it wasn't!
and i love the pic of your family on your blog!
I'm glad to hear comments on both sides. I just wanted to add one of the biggest reasons why I decided not to do an ultrasound.
If you have enough money to back a study, you can get it to say whatever you want. So who's to say we can really trust ANY study out there. So for me, I have tried to stay as close to what Heavenly Father provided as a way of life for us from the start, and allow him to guide me to any testing that might be necessary. The scriptures tell us over and over to not trust in the teachings of man, but in God, so when there is doubt that something is good or bad, based on man's findings, (such as now) I am relying on what Heavenly Father has given us- wonderful bodies that can grow beautiful little babies, and the spirit to help guide us through this life.
Candice I guess I just don't understand. Here is what I'm getting from your post. You are bashing on medical advances but then if there was anything wrong you use them. For example you said that you don't believe that ultrasounds are safe but if your midwife or you felt like something was wrong you would get one. To me that sounds a little hypocritical to say all of these horrible things about doctors and modern day medicine but then you turn to it when you need it. It sounds the same as someone that says they don't need to go to church and pray everyday but then when something bad happens they pray to God to ask for help.
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