Receipt of information and women's attitudes towards ultrasound scanning during pregnancy

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Objective: To audit women's receipt of information during routine antenatal ultrasound investigations; and to investigate women's perceptions of, and attitudes towards, routine screening.Design: Analysis of the records of 384 women from in and around Nottingham, UK, who maintained a diary throughout the course of their pregnancies.Results: The mean number of ultrasound scans received by each women during her pregnancy was 2.6, with more than 96% of women receiving at least one scan. Women initially scanned earlier received more scans in total. Women appeared aware of the specific reasons for each scan being undertaken, and only a minority were dissatisfied by the information they had received. The preponderance of information received during the scans related to results and arrangements for subsequent visits, with only 10% of women reporting receiving information about the procedure itself. Most women reported positive feelings towards scanning, and few gave indications that they would prefer changes in the conduct of the procedure.Conclusions: The great majority of the women in our study were satisfied with their experiences of routine ultrasound scanning, accepting the procedure uncritically. Copyright © 2002 ISUOG