For the next few weeks, I want to take a trip down memory lane and look at how ultrasound was first applied in the area of pregnancy, and how history has shaped the way we use ultrasound today. I have written this article by reading the greatly detailed and informative online report ‘A short History of the development of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology’ by Dr Joseph Woo– this report is a must-read for those of you wanting to learn more on this subject, and lists a number of useful references.

Nevertheless, I have discussed a few ‘key points’ that Dr Woo has described in his report that I feel are of particular interest. I would like to make it clear that I will not list every ‘milestone’ or ‘landmark’ pertaining to the field of Obstetrics and Gynaecology – Dr Woo has managed to do this perfectly well in his report. However, I do feel it is important to understand how past scientific discoveries have helped us to reach where we are today with ultrasound imaging, and to reflect on how the origins of ultrasonography have allowed us to adapt this technology for detecting pregnancy in the veterinary species.

To begin, ultrasound would probably not be where it is today if it had not been for the development of SONAR (Sound Navigation and Ranging) - utilising sound waves to determine areas under the water. SONAR is typically associated with the ship industry and submarine sailing, but was also instrumental in helping the field of pregnancy ultrasound to flourish. Who would have thought that there exists a link between ultrasound and The Titanic?!

Let us now fast forward to when ultrasound had started to be used for medicinal purposes. Interestingly, ultrasonography was not used as it is today, but instead was coveted for the ability of ultrasound waves, at much greater levels than those used in imaging, to modify tissues (such as from the heat emitted by ultrasound waves). Ultrasound was also utilised as an aid in brain-related diseases and in helping patients suffering from autoimmune diseases. It is interesting to note that even at this relatively early stage in the ‘ultrasound world’, scientists and those working in the field were able to realise the great potential of ultrasonography.

Nevertheless, with potential also came problems. Ultrasound was starting to gain a bit of a reputation, being cited as a tool to treat a great range of ailments and illnesses in the 1940s – all without any real merit. As a scientist, the importance of having concrete evidence to support a statement is a fundamental part of research, and consequently describing ultrasound in this way was dangerous. Furthermore, around the same time questions were starting to be raised as to how ‘safe’ ultrasound really was – was the ultrasound bubble about to burst?

And so we will leave our first foray into how ultrasound in pregnancy came to be for this week. Be sure to visit us soon to find out what happened next – and how ultrasonography developed into a fundamental tool used during gestation, both human and veterinary.