Disturbing images reveal the worrying truth behind performing MRIs in pregnant women
Frightening photos of MRI images of babies in utero have once again gone viral – capturing people’s attention and reigniting the debate if undergoing an MRI while pregnant is worth the worry.
In MRI images, a fetus’s skeleton shows up brilliantly white against the darker soft tissue, so mothers can see the entire spine, every rib, the tiny skull and even individual finger bones.
In images that some say resemble a fossil preserved inside the living body, the eyes, because they are fluid-filled, appear as large, dark, hollow sockets that sometimes seem to bulge or stare out.
For moms-to-be, the circulating images can be unsettling and raise questions about safety and potential long-term effects.
In pregnant women, the standard of care to evaluate a baby’s abdominal organs, bone structures, heart function and development is an ultrasound, with fetal MRIs reserved for high-risk cases that require more information.
An ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to produce a black-and-white snapshot of the fetus’s tissues, organs and blood flow throughout the body without using radiation.
An ultrasound can provide doctors and expectant mothers with valuable insight about their babies, identifying cysts, tumors, infections, inflammation, blood clots and organ structural abnormalities.
MRIs for a pregnant woman may be performed if doctors are looking for signs of potentially deadly issues with the fetus, such as tumors, spinal cord injuries and structural abnormalities in the brain. It can also reveal torn ligaments, cartilage damage and joint disorders.
Unlike an ultrasound, an MRI can be uncomfortable. Pregnant women, especially in the third trimester, cannot lie flat on their backs for long periods due to the risk of compressing major blood vessels (stock image)
MRI scans of unborn babies have gained attention online for their striking clarity and slightly unsettling appearance. The skeleton stands out vividly white against softer tissue, revealing the full spine, ribs, small skull, and even individual finger bones
Fetal ultrasounds are an important part of prenatal care to ensure that fetal development is on the proper course without signs of structural abnormalities, growth restrictions or complications that could affect the health of the baby or mother
Most pregnant women do not undergo MRIs, particularly in the first trimester, unless medically necessary – largely due to concerns about the use of gadolinium-based contrast dye used to illuminate intricate organ structures, tissues and blood vessels.
The dye crosses the placenta and has been linked to higher risks of stillbirth and inflammatory conditions in exposed fetuses.
MRI uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to generate detailed images. It does not use ionizing radiation like CT scans, meaning there is no radiation exposure to the fetus.
Most fetal MRIs are performed without contrast dye, using only the magnetic field to generate images, making the procedure itself safe for the fetus. The contrast concerns apply only to the small subset of cases where gadolinium is used to highlight blood flow or inflammation.
Whenever MRI images of babies in utero resurface, the comment sections are occupied by people in awe of the highly detailed, off-putting images.
In the comments of one recent tweet displaying the scans, one user said: ‘Terrifying or hilarious, depending on your mood.’
Another said: ‘What the hell is this gang?’
A third wrote: ‘That’s definitely not a human baby’ followed by a smiling, teary-eyed emoji.
Among nearly 3.5 million pregnancies across six US health systems between 1996 and 2016, 0.4 percent of pregnant women – about one in 240 – underwent an MRI during pregnancy.
Rates increased significantly over time, from 0.1 percent in the late 1990s to 0.8 percent by 2011 to 2016, and no known harmful effects to the baby have been found.
A 2023 study of 156 pregnant women revealed a sharp divide: while 80 percent would undergo a doctor-prescribed MRI to diagnose a potential issue, only 24 percent were willing to participate in MRI research
Research shows there is a clear division of opinion among pregnant women about MRI during pregnancy, and this division depends heavily on why the MRI is being done.
A 2023 study of 156 pregnant women found a dramatic split. Eighty percent were willing to undergo an MRI prescribed by a doctor to diagnose a potential problem, but only 24 percent were willing to participate in an MRI for research purposes.
According to the researchers, this suggests that when women perceive a direct medical benefit, such as diagnosing a complication or evaluating their baby’s health, they are far more receptive to the procedure.
That same study revealed significant underlying concerns. About 94 percent of women wanted more information from their doctor before feeling comfortable and only 10 percent felt they had prior knowledge about MRI safety during pregnancy.
Even with rising rates, fetal MRI is still uncommon and is performed only at specialized centers with experts in reading them.
Most pregnant women receive two to three ultrasounds during their pregnancy.
Data suggests there may not be any long-term consequences of a prenatal MRI.
A 2020 study in the American Journal of Neuroradiology tracked children whose mothers underwent MRI during pregnancy to see if it affected their development. Researchers compared 131 children exposed to MRI in the womb to 771 unexposed children.
At ages two-and-a-half to six, they found no differences in communication, daily living skills or motor function. The exposed children actually scored slightly higher on socialization, leading the authors to conclude that non-contrast MRI during pregnancy poses no measurable harm to long-term neurodevelopment.
Fetal ultrasounds are an important part of prenatal care to ensure that fetal development is on the proper course without signs of structural abnormalities, growth restrictions or complications that could affect the health of the baby or mother
Unlike an ultrasound, an MRI can be uncomfortable. Pregnant women, especially in the third trimester, cannot lie flat on their backs for long periods due to the risk of compressing major blood vessels, and positioning must be carefully managed. The long, narrow tube can induce claustrophobia and anxiety.
An ultrasound, on the other hand, is far more comfortable. The procedure is typically performed with the mother lying slightly reclined or on her side while a technician glides a handheld wand over her belly.
There is no enclosed space, no loud banging noises and no requirement to lie completely still for long periods. The scan is painless, takes about 30 minutes and allows the mother to watch her baby moving in real time.
For parents, a prescribed fetal MRI rarely comes as a surprise. It usually follows an ultrasound that flagged a potential problem, making the detailed images a source of anxiety for many moms-to-be.
But for millions of moms, the advanced scan is a crucial warning sign, an introduction and time to prepare for whatever health issues in their baby they are likely to contend with in the coming months. So while they can be anxiety-inducing, they can also be illuminating and, supply vital information to make important future decisions.
