The baby's sex
Entertainment ultrasounds
The increased use of ultrasound over the last decade or so has made the procedure more accepted as routine. Over this time, the attitudes of parents have also changed, in that it is now expected that they will receive a 'snapshot' of their unborn baby as part of the ultrasound examination. However, ultrasound departments are under no obligation to provide photos of the baby for parents, because it is essentially seen as a medical procedure and providing photos is also not covered by Medicare (in Australia) or private health insurers. Some centres actually ask for a fee for this service or add the cost to the 'gap' paid for private examinations.
Even so, obtaining a picture of your baby has now become more common (and in some private practises, a video of the ultrasound examination is offered). Providing parents with a cute picture of their baby brings up a polarised debate amongst many caregivers. Some see the practise as an essential 'bonding' exercise between the parents and their baby and believe this can have positive affects, including:
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The parents (and woman in particular) taking more care in looking after themselves during the pregnancy and perhaps being more motivated to do things like give up smoking. |
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The woman possibly feeling more relaxed and perhaps more positive about her pregnancy and baby. |
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The father perhaps feeling more of a connection with his unborn child, especially as he does not have any physical attachments. |
Others believe this 'bonding' may be achieved just by taking the parents through the procedure as it is happening and explaining the images on the way.