Monday, 28 September 2026
New national fact sheet highlights risks of non-diagnostic pregnancy scans
The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care has released a new consumer fact sheet Pregnancy ultrasound: what you need to know.
Fact sheet | Pregnancy ultrasound: what you need to know
It is the latest development in growing national recognition that patients need to be alerted to the risks of non-diagnostic ultrasound during pregnancy.
The fact sheet is clear that a diagnostic ultrasound can only be performed by a clinician qualified in ultrasound such as a sonographer. It encourages consumers to check that their imaging practice is accredited to the Diagnostic Imaging Accreditation Scheme (DIAS) Standards.
What the fact sheet says
The fact sheet describes the three routinely recommended diagnostic scans: the dating scan at 7 to 11 weeks, the early baby development scan at 12 to 13.6 weeks and the detailed anatomy scan at 18 to 22 weeks. It also explains when growth scans may be needed.
It warns that scans bought for reassurance, keepsake images or gender reveals cannot give information about a baby's health or development. These scans are sometimes performed by people who are not clinicians. Scans offered in baby stores or other non-medical settings are not recommended. Consumers are encouraged to talk to their prenatal care team if they have concerns, want an image of their baby or want to know the sex.
A growing focus on patient safety
Non-medical pregnancy scans have been a major concern for ASA members. Last year an investigation in The Age drew national attention to the booming private “reassurance” scan industry. ASA CEO Tony Coles contributed to the story and warned of missed abnormalities and false reassurance when scans are done without medical oversight. The ASA then spoke on ABC Radio Melbourne about how easily untrained people can access ultrasound machines and offer scans to the public.
The ASA recently released its position statement Non-Medical Ultrasound in Pregnancy. The ASA does not endorse scans performed solely for keepsake images, reassurance or to find out the baby's sex without a medical referral or clinical reason.
ASA Position Statement | Non-Medical Ultrasound in Pregnancy
The statement makes clear that all ultrasound in pregnancy should be performed by professionals qualified and skilled in diagnostic ultrasound such as accredited medical sonographers. Sonographers can interpret images accurately and operate equipment safely to keep exposure as low as reasonably achievable.
Non-medical scans may not follow clinical guidelines or check all the structures needed to confirm a healthy pregnancy. They risk misinterpreted findings, false reassurance and delayed care. They can also undermine public confidence in accredited diagnostic services.
The Commission's fact sheet now gives consumers clear and authoritative information to help them make safe choices. It also reinforces the vital role sonographers play in safe pregnancy care.
A reminder for members
ASA professional indemnity insurance covers diagnostic ultrasound only. Sonographers who choose to perform non-medical scans should make sure they have appropriate insurance in place.
Important Information and FAQs about ASA Insurance
Share the fact sheet and poster
The Commission has also released an A3 poster Are you getting a pregnancy ultrasound? It is designed for display in health services such as GP practices, prenatal clinics and imaging practices to prompt women to learn more about pregnancy ultrasound. A QR code on the poster links to the consumer fact sheet.
We encourage members to share the fact sheet with patients and referrers and to display the poster in their practice.