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• 1 2022-12-10T17:15:11-08:00 Importance of a Sonogram 1 plain 2022-12-10T17:15:11-08:00                        A sonogram, also be referred to as an ultrasound, can be defined as the visual image produced by reflected sound waves at higher frequencies than the human ear, to image the developing baby as well as the mother’s reproductive organs. This exam can be done during pregnancy, hospitals, clinics and at the physicians. It is different than an X-ray or bone scan because it is a personal image the family of the fetus will keep forever whether in a photobook or home record rather than just a medical record. In Practices of Looking: An Introduction to Visual Culture, Sturken and Cartwright state that, “This view of the sonogram as a social document helps to award to the fetus the status of personhood more typically attributed to the infant after birth. In this sense, sonograms serve a nonmedical culture function that justifies the technique’s use” (Sturken and Cartwright 367). They stress the idea in their writing the exact importance of this type of image.
            The ultrasound ultimately makes sure the everything is moving along properly. Janelle Martel states it, “can help monitor normal fetal development and screen for any potential problems” (Martel).  She discusses in her article what information to expect from the sonogram in each trimester. In the first the sonogram will confirm the pregnancy, check the heartbeat, determine the gestational age of the baby and estimate a due date, and check for multiple pregnancies. Other things it will do is examine the placenta, uterus, ovaries, and cervix, diagnose a possible miscarriage, and look for abnormal growth. Moving on to the second and third trimesters the ultrasound does even more. It monitors the growth and position, determines the sex, confirms multiple pregnancies, and check for Down Syndrome or other abnormalities or birth defects, etc. (Martel).
  
            The sonogram is such a monumental image occurring in a pregnancy that brings many people great joy in someone’s life. However, it can certainly create fear in others. This leading to the idea of abortion. Abortion is a sensitive subject no one usually likes to discuss it is essential when the mother of the baby decides early on she is not ready or does not think they can have a baby and they get it removed. It is a devastating thought however all women have this choice and it is up to them to decide. Sturken and Cartwright continue their thoughts on a sonogram by stating their opinions of women’s choice that comes with any pregnancy, whether to keep the child or not. They state, “In these cases, the concept of fetal has been introduced in legal, religious, and social settings in arguments that in some cases have pitted the rights claimed for the fetus as an autonomous person against the legal rights of the mother to determine the fate of her own body and health. The image of the fetus thus acquires meanings in obstetrical screening and diagnosis” (Struken and Cartwright 367). This quote shows how controversial the topic truly is and how it can be dragged into things more than medical records, such as legal rights.
           
             A perfect example where this sensitive topic is brought into conversation involving legal rights was in 2012. Dahlia Lithwich describes how Virginia state legislature attempted to pass a bill that would require women to have a transvaginal ultrasound before having an abortion. A transvaginal abortion is described as, “a probe is inserted into the vagina, and then is moved around until an image is produced” (Lithwick). He even claims in his article that this entire idea would “constitute rape under state law” (Lithwick).  This would require women to be perpetrated against their will, almost consulting rape under the federal definition. This comes off as insulting and violating to women. Not only is the procedure invasive, but it is also not recommended by gynecologists. It is no longer information held between a woman and her physician whether an abortion is proper for the situation or able to happen, but a physician being commandeered by the state to perform an unnecessary procedure on women which is just wrong and embarrassing for everyone.
             The main defense by the state why this would be a good idea is that it gives mothers “more information” about their pregnancy and that they will be able to have that information before making what most people would say is the most important, serious, life-changing decision for their lives. The bill is unconstitutional to place an “undue burden” on a women’s right to terminate her pregnancy. However, Lithwick states people can suspect that, “unwanted penetration with a medical device violates either the undue burden test or the right to bodily autonomy” (Lithwick). What this bill is essentially doing is rubbing it in someone’s face whether they have a beautiful new baby or on the other hand to show how “bad” they are coming off to people all around for not keeping the child and deciding on an abortion.
             
             With many emotions and opinions involved about this bill, it ended up never getting passed. It failed on a 64-34 vote in court. With this, abortion is still legal in America. Although abortion is still legal, hopefully physically invading a woman’s body against her will, will never be. It is a woman’s choice what she chooses to do with her baby. However, without the sonogram, this important information would not be known. It is what lets people know whether they have a child and if they will have to face the decision to keep their child or not someday.