Expectant mothers should not use fetal ultrasound imaging or Doppler heartbeat monitors for non-medical reasons like "keepsake images and videos," the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said in a Consumer Update on Tuesday. The FDA said it "strongly discourages" any unnecessary scans, warning that ultrasound scans have a small effect on a baby's body and that doctor's don't yet know the long-term results of those effects. “While FDA recognizes that fetal imaging can promote bonding between the parents and the unborn baby, such opportunities are routinely provided during prenatal care,” the FDA said.
