U.S. Food and Drug Administration: Avoid Fetal "Keepsake" Images, Heartbeat Monitors

Ultrasound scans, like the one pictured here, should be reserved for times when there is a medical need and performed by appropriately-trained operators.

Message from Professor Magda Havas: This is good news as too many women are taking pictures of their babies for non-health reasons and may be doing harm in the process. However, the image is being generated because of ultra high frequency sound waves and not electromagnetic waves, hence the name “ultrasound". I expect that EM frequencies are also involved with the technology but it is important to differentiate between sound waves that require a medium for transmission and EM waves that don’t. Ultrasound is not part of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Avoid Fetal "Keepsake" Images, Heartbeat Monitors
fda.gov, Consumer Updates Section, 16 December 2014

Ultrasound imaging is the most widely used medical imaging method during pregnancy.

Fetal ultrasound imaging provides real-time images of the fetus. Doppler fetal ultrasound heartbeat monitors are hand-held ultrasound devices that let you listen to the heartbeat of the fetus. Both are prescription devices designed to be used by trained health care professionals. They are not intended for over-the-counter (OTC) sale or use, and the FDA strongly discourages their use for creating fetal keepsake images and videos.
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