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The recent H1N1 swine flu virus was certainly deadly for the population as a whole, killing 305 Americans, but pregnant women were at a disproportionally higher risk for death. Pregnant women, even if they were healthy, were more likely to develop severe disease after infection with the virus. They were four times more likely to be hospitalized, with a much higher death rate. These facts were cited by researchers in their effort to correct what they believe is an urgent need to perform clinical testing on pregnant women (from a recent article in the New England Journal of Medicine). They claim that pregnant women are virtually excluded from medical research. Because clinical testing poses potential risks for participants, is it safe for pregnant women to be a part of this group, possibly risking not only their own health, but the health of their fetus?

Sonograms, commonly referred to as ultrasounds during pregnancy, provide an invaluable look at your growing baby. But the use, especially for moms who must have several during pregnancy, does bring about questions and concerns regarding the safety of this medical technology. To put your mind at ease, know that after more than five decades of use, the normal use of sonograms for medical purposes has never been associated with any harmful effects on fetuses, according to the American Institute of Ultrasound Medicine (AIUM). However, the AIUM does concede that there is always a chance of learning about adverse effects in the future. Therefore, non-medical use of sonograms should be used with caution.