What feature of ultrasound imaging makes it safe for monitoring pregnancy?

Ultrasound imaging is considered safe for monitoring pregnancy primarily because it is a non-invasive technique. This means that the process does not require any surgical procedures, insertion of instruments into the body, or exposure to harmful substances. Instead, ultrasound uses sound waves to create images of the developing fetus and the surrounding structures, which poses no risk to either the mother or the baby.

Because ultrasound relies on sound waves and not on potentially harmful methods like ionizing radiation used in X-rays, it can be performed repeatedly throughout a pregnancy without adverse effects. This characteristic of being non-invasive contributes not only to the safety for both mother and fetus but also allows for regular monitoring and assessments without any risk of causing harm.

In comparison, options like magnetic fields or ionizing radiation introduce risks that make them unsuitable for pregnancy monitoring. Similarly, while high accuracy of imaging can be important, it does not directly relate to the safety of the procedure itself, which is why the focus is on the non-invasive nature of ultrasound.