Portable ultrasound machines are coming to Catholic Health clinics in need thanks thanks to a $16,000 donation from the Catholic fraternity, Knights of Columbus.
The Knights are partnering with the Catholic Diocese of Buffalo and other pro-life groups to get portable VSCAN ultrasound machines in pregnancy centers across the nation. The device is about the size of a cell phone and allows doctors to monitor a baby's growth as early as seven weeks.
Catholic Health medical professionals say the machines also provide benefits in the long run.
"If I've got any concerns about how this baby is positioned, I can use that further along in pregnancy so I can know if this baby is head down and not sitting,” said Mary Schumer, nurse practitioner.
Going forward, they're hoping to raise enough money to place five more of these devices in clinics on the outskirts of Erie, Niagara and Chautauqua counties.