Ms Karen Pollard, lecturer with the School of Clinical Sciences at Charles Sturt University, has attracted extensive media coverage for her research into the safety of ultrasound screenings during pregnancy.

 

Ms Pollard says she recommends pregnant women should not expose their unborn babies to unnecessary ultrasound scans.

 

She says while ultrasounds are not proven to be unsafe, the dangers of the procedure have never really been established. She says most studies are outdated, as today’s equipment has far greater exposure intensity. As well, ultrasound scans used to be performed at about 18 to 20 weeks through the mother's abdomen, but are now routine at 12 weeks using a trans-vaginal probe.

 

Ms Pollard’s research, which will be delivered in a public lecture tonight at the Bathurst Civic Centre, has attracted media coverage nationally and internationally. Major papers in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide have carried the story, as well as TVNZ in New Zealand and internet news sites such as news.com.au and smh.com.au.

 

Her public lecture, Baby Scans: Is Ultrasound Sound? will be held tonight (Thursday 21 September) at the Bathurst Civic Centre at 6.00pm.

 

CSU plays a leading role in medical imaging education, with one of the largest and most popular medical imaging degree programs in the country.

 

As well, CSU has many years of experience in educating student midwives to the level that is required for registration as midwives with the Nurses and Midwives Board of NSW (NMB NSW).