Routine prenatal ultrasonography: The pregnant woman’s expectations and perspectives on safety in a Central African obstetric population

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 of US safety 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 an US scan. 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 the US scan 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.

Pregnant women’s self-referral and perspectives on the use of prenatal ultrasound in a low-resource setting

“…This is similar to the finding of Tambe in Central Africa which showed that the participants thought ultrasound might not be perfectly safe. 4 76.9%…”

“…The questionnaire was developed following review of literatures on the pregnant women's experiences and perception on the use prenatal ultrasonography. [1][2][3][4] The study questionnaire was divided into six areas: 1) sociodemographic and obstetric characteristics (ie, age, parity, marital status, ethnicity, gestational age, occupation, participant's level of education, husband's level of education and husband's occupational); 2) Whether she has done obstetric ultrasound examination without her doctor's referral; 3) Reasons for self-referal to prenatal ultrasound examination; 4) Perceived cost of prenatal ultrasound examination; 5) Media exposure to access information about prenatal ultrasonography; 6) Perceived safety of ultrasound examination during pregnancy.…”

“…3 It is an accurate technique for determining gestational age, number of fetuses, fetal cardiac activity and placental location.4 Also many congenital structural anomalies and significant abnormalities in fetal growth can be identified. 4 The introduction of ultrasound in obstetrics by Prof. Donald in 1958 revolutionized the process of fetal monitoring and diagnosis in prenatal care. 5 The international society of ultrasound in obstetrics and gynaecology (ISUOG) recommends that pregnant women have routine obstetrics ultrasounds between 18 weeks and 22 weeks gestational age in order to confirm pregnancy timing, to measure the fetus so that growth abnormalities can be recognized quickly, and to assess for congenital malformations and multiple gestation.6 Additionally, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, South-East Nigeria ISUOG recommends that pregnant women have obstetrics ultrasounds between 11 weeks and 13 weeks and 6 days gestational age as this can accurately confirm the timing of the pregnancy and can also assess for multiple fetuses and major congenital abnormalities at an early stage.…”