TITLE:
Routine prenatal ultrasonography: The pregnant woman’s expectations and perspectives on safety in a Central African obstetric population
AUTHORS:
Joshua Tambe, Boniface Moifo, Odile Fernande Zeh, Pascal Foumane, Joseph Gonsu Fotsin, Robinson Enow Mbu
KEYWORDS:
Routine Prenatal US; Expectations; US Safety
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology,
Vol.3 No.7,
September
18,
2013
ABSTRACT:
Background: Pregnant women are important stakeholders regarding prenatal
ultrasound (US)
scanning. Their specific needs and preferences have to be ascertained by
healthcare providers to ameliorate service delivery. Objective: To assess the
pregnant woman’s expectations during routine prenatal US scan and her
perspective ofUSsafety during pregnancy in a Central African obstetric population. Methods: A
cross-sectional descriptive survey of consenting pregnant women who reported
for routine prenatal US scan using an anonymous questionnaire. A convenient sample of 200 participants was adopted. Results: Thirty-three (16.8%)
respondents (on a total of 196) declared they had never done anUSscan. One hundred
and eleven (58.4%) on a total of 190 stated that they had not received any
information on what ultrasonography is all about. Before theUSscan the respondents
would like to receive information on the aim or purpose of ultrasonography,
possible inconveniences or risks, and on how to prepare before the scan. The
most reported expectations were assurance of the wellbeing of the fetus (58%),
gender determination (44.5%) and information on fetal position (20.5%).
Thirty-four respondents considered ultrasonography as not perfectly safe for
the mother or the “baby”, with the relevant reasons being the use or production
of some potentially harmful “rays”. Conclusion: Pregnant women would want to be assured of the wellbeing of the fetus, the
gender and position during routine prenatal US. They however need to be informed
of its purpose and safety.