Written By: GreenMedInfo Research Group

In the delicate world of prenatal care, ensuring the safety and well-being of both mother and child is of utmost importance. As healthcare providers seek to minimize potential risks associated with the use of petrochemical-based ultrasound gels, a natural and promising alternative has emerged: coconut oil.

Introduction:

Ultrasound imaging is an essential tool in obstetric care, allowing healthcare providers to monitor fetal development and detect potential complications. However, the commercial ultrasound gels commonly used as coupling agents may contain petrochemicals that could potentially harm the developing fetus. Recent research has explored the use of coconut oil as a natural and safe alternative to these commercial gels.1

Chemical Composition of Ultrasound Gels:

Conventional ultrasound gels often contain a variety of chemicals, including petrochemicals, which can be absorbed through the skin and enter the bloodstream. Some of these chemicals, such as parabens and propylene glycol, have been linked to endocrine disruption and potential developmental issues in fetuses.2 While the concentrations of these chemicals in ultrasound gels are generally considered low, concerns have been raised about their cumulative effects, especially during the sensitive period of fetal development.3

Coconut Oil as an Alternative:

Coconut oil has emerged as a promising alternative to commercial ultrasound gels. A recent crossover trial published in the American Journal of Perinatology (Edelman et al., 2024) evaluated the quality of obstetric ultrasound images obtained with coconut oil compared to those obtained with commercial gel. The study involved 40 pregnant patients who underwent standard biometry imaging using both coupling agents.4

The results of the study showed that the image quality, resolution, and detail were equivalent between coconut oil and commercial gel, as rated by blinded maternal-fetal medicine physicians. Furthermore, patients reported a significantly better overall experience with coconut oil compared to the commercial gel, citing factors such as improved comfort and reduced messiness.4

Advantages of Coconut Oil:

Coconut oil offers several advantages as an ultrasound coupling agent:

1. Natural and safe: Coconut oil is a natural product that is generally considered safe for use during pregnancy. It does not contain the potentially harmful petrochemicals found in many commercial gels.5
2. Readily available and affordable: Coconut oil is widely available and relatively inexpensive, making it an accessible option for both patients and healthcare providers.6
3. Moisturizing properties: Coconut oil has moisturizing properties that can help to soothe and nourish the skin, which may be particularly beneficial for pregnant women experiencing skin sensitivity or dryness.7
4. Improved patient experience: As demonstrated in the crossover trial, patients reported a more positive experience with coconut oil compared to commercial gel, citing factors such as improved comfort and reduced messiness.4

Qualification regarding ultrasound safety:

It is important to note that while coconut oil may provide a safer alternative to petrochemical-based ultrasound gels, the use of ultrasound itself during pregnancy should be approached with caution. Ultrasound can have potential bioeffects on the developing fetus, particularly through heating of cells and cavitation.8 The fetus is especially vulnerable to these effects before 10 weeks gestation, as it lacks blood circulation to dissipate heat.8 Healthcare providers should use ultrasound judiciously, and only when the benefits clearly outweigh the risks. Patients should be informed of the potential dangers and give informed consent before undergoing ultrasound procedures.8

Implications for Resource-Limited Settings:

The use of coconut oil as an ultrasound coupling agent has significant implications for resource-limited settings, where access to commercial ultrasound gels may be limited or cost-prohibitive. Coconut oil's affordability, availability, and effectiveness as a coupling agent could help to increase access to prenatal ultrasound imaging in these settings, potentially improving maternal and fetal health outcomes.9

Conclusion:

The recent crossover trial demonstrating the equivalence of coconut oil and commercial ultrasound gel in obstetric imaging, combined with the potential risks associated with petrochemicals in commercial gels, suggests that coconut oil may be a safer and more natural alternative for use during pregnancy. However, the use of ultrasound itself should be approached cautiously, with full informed consent from patients regarding the potential risks. The improved patient experience and accessibility of coconut oil further support its potential as a viable option in both high-resource and resource-limited settings. As healthcare providers seek to optimize prenatal care and minimize potential harm to developing fetuses, the use of coconut oil in obstetric ultrasound imaging merits further consideration and research.

© March 30th 2024 GreenMedInfo LLC. This work is reproduced and distributed with the permission of GreenMedInfo LLC. Want to learn more from GreenMedInfo? Sign up for the newsletter here www.greenmedinfo.com/greenmed/newsletter.