Anxiety levels of pregnant women during ultrasound examination: coping styles, amount of feedback and learned resourcefulness

Zlotogorski, Zoli; Tadmor, O.; Duniec, Eduardo; Rabinowitz, Ron; Diaman, Y.

doi:10.1046/j.1469-0705.1995.06060425.x

Cited by 33 publications

(22 citation statements)

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“…This finding is in accordance with previous studies that have found that the majority of women perceive the scanning procedure as a positive event that makes them feel more secure about the pregnancy [8,11,12,15,18] . Several studies have demonstrated that US scanning can decrease maternal anxiety [19][20][21] , can facilitate the transition to parenthood [22] and bonding with fetus [23] and is regarded as a source of reassurance [24] . The fact that the majority of women (69%) believed that a US examination should be offered at every antenatal visit confirms that US scanning was viewed positively by the majority of respondents.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Women’s Perception of Information and Experiences of Nuchal Translucency Screening in Greece

Gourounti

Lykeridou²,

Daskalakis³

et al. 2008

Fetal Diagn Ther

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Objective: First trimester ultrasound (US) screening has become part of antenatal care. The aim of this study was to explore pregnant women’s perceptions of the information given and experiences of first trimester nuchal translucency (NT) screening and to identify the background factors in a woman’s biography that influence her information needs and experiences of NT screening. Methods: This study was a descriptive, prospective survey which involved collecting information from the participants by using a questionnaire and took place in a public hospital in Athens. The sample consisted of 510 consecutive, unselected pregnant women of gestational age between 11 and 14 weeks, who had attended a nuchal translucency (NT) screening. Results: The majority of women felt that they had received either a limited or intermediate amount of information about the US screening and stated that they would have liked to receive more information. However, most of them (98%) answered that their expectations were fulfilled. 82% felt that the US examination was a positive experience, while 16% felt that US examination was a stressful experience. Furthermore, higher rates of positive experiences were observed among women with a higher educational level and greater satisfaction with the information received (χ²_(d.f.=6) = 29.411, p = 0.000, χ²_(d.f.=3) = 30.171, p = 0.000 respectively). Most women had wished to undertake NT screening to ensure that the fetus was healthy and without any defects and believed that a US examination should be performed at every antenatal visit. Conclusion: This study shows that most women lack information, specifically about the purposes and the diagnostic limitations of NT screening. Health professionals should therefore dedicate more time to discussing with women, and provide appropriate and understandable information tailored to the educational level of women and should emphasize the indications, purposes and limitations of US screening.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Women’s Perception of Information and Experiences of Nuchal Translucency Screening in Greece

Gourounti

Lykeridou²,

Daskalakis³

et al. 2008

Fetal Diagn Ther

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“…10,12,27 When prenatal US assessment is undertaken for obstetrical indications, a much higher percentage of abnormal findings is expected with associated maternal anxiety. 28 Little is known from women themselves about their experience of prenatal US examination, especially when the US results are unexpected.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…1,2 Diagnoses resulting from prenatal US include multiple gestation, congenital fetal abnormalities, fetal growth problems and amniotic fluid or placental abnormalities. Study of US as a perinatal diagnostic tool has focused on whether US improves perinatal outcomes, [3][4][5][6] the psychological effect on women and men of such an examination, [7][8][9] perception and receipt of information, [10][11][12][13][14] and the experiences of staff who perform US examinations. 15,16 A 1998 Cochrane review of routine US 17 focused only on physical outcomes, as did a later work.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seeing baby: women's experience of prenatal ultrasound examination and unexpected fetal diagnosis

Zalm

Byrne

2006

J Perinatol

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Objective: Although prenatal ultrasound (US) is a common clinical undertaking today, little information is available about women's experience of the procedure from the perspective of women themselves. The objective of this study was to explore women's experience of undergoing a routine prenatal US examination associated with an unexpected fetal diagnosis.Study Design: Qualitative methods were used to explore the prenatal US experience of 13 women. Five women were given unexpected news of multiple pregnancy and eight women were given unexpected news of congenital fetal abnormality. One in-depth audio-taped interview was conducted with each woman. Content analysis of interview data identified themes common to women's experience of US.Results: Identified themes of women's experience of routine prenatal US examination associated with an unexpected fetal diagnosis are: experiencing the setting, sensing information, feeling connected/ disconnected, the power of the image, and communication rules. Conclusions:Women's experience of prenatal US examination is influenced by physical and environmental factors and by the behaviors of the US examiner. Behaviors of the examiner contribute to a woman's labeling of the US experience as positive or negative. Women identify being objectified by the examination and experience poor communication patterns after a fetal US diagnosis. Women's description of the US screen image as a baby suggests it is a powerful influence on subsequent clinical and ethical decision-making about the pregnancy. Journal of Perinatology (2006Perinatology ( ) 26, 403-408. doi:10.1038 Keywords: prenatal care; sonography; maternal experience; antenatal diagnosis; fetal anomaly Introduction Although routine ultrasound examination (US) in low-risk pregnancy has not been proven to be advantageous in terms of perinatal mortality and morbidity, its use has become standard during pregnancy.1,2 Diagnoses resulting from prenatal US include multiple gestation, congenital fetal abnormalities, fetal growth problems and amniotic fluid or placental abnormalities. Study of US as a perinatal diagnostic tool has focused on whether US improves perinatal outcomes, 3-6 the psychological effect on women and men of such an examination, 7-9 perception and receipt of information, 10-14 and the experiences of staff who perform US examinations.15,16 A 1998 Cochrane review of routine US 17 focused only on physical outcomes, as did a later work. 18Reviewers of the work suggested a lack of research on women's experience of this type of procedure. 19Other researchers have focused on specific aspects of breaking bad news in perinatal situations and the sequelae of such an action. Alkazaleh et al.20 surveyed 117 women with pregnancy complications detected sonographically. Sixty-seven women responded to their survey of broad characteristics of bad news transmission, reporting what women found helpful after being given bad news. These researchers recommend further research into the area of bad news transmission using other research designs....

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“…Evidence is generally lacking of the beneficial (i.e. reassuring) effect of normal results, although recent studies support that maternal anxiety levels decrease after a normal ultrasound [3][4][5] . It should be borne in mind that the reasons for, and the expectations of, pregnant women from the 2nd trimester scan assist health professionals in a more accurate approach to the women's needs during this procedure.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Women’s Expectations and Intention to Terminate Pregnancy in Case of Abnormal Findings at the Second Trimester Level II Ultrasound Scan

Athanasiadis

Polychronou²,

Mikos³

et al. 2009

Fetal Diagn Ther

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Objective: The aims of this study were: (1) to explore pregnant women’s background knowledge and expectations of 2nd trimester ultrasound screening, and (2) to investigate women’s intentions to proceed to pregnancy termination if fetal anomaly is detected at the 2nd trimester ultrasound screening. Methods: A prospective, cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study. 300 consecutive pregnant women served as a convenience sample for this study. All the women had had a detailed, 2nd trimester, fetal anomaly scan. The questionnaire was a standardized but not validated, purpose-built structure consisting of five parts: (a) demographics, (b) anamnesis and obstetric history, (c) perceived aim of the scan, (d) expectations from the scan, and (e) intention to terminate pregnancy in case of fetal malformation diagnosis. Statistical analysis was performed with the SPSS 12.0 for Windows. Results: The participants’ mean age was 31.3 (21–45) years. 89.3% of the women filled in the questionnaire. The main reasons for the scan, according to the women, were to exclude fetal abnormalities and to assess the fetal karyotype. The main maternal expectations from the scan were to reduce maternal anxiety and to identify fetal malformations. 75.3% of the women were willing to terminate their pregnancy if fetal abnormalities were detected. Older women more commonly opted for pregnancy termination. Conclusion: The majority of participants have a correct notion about the aim of the ultrasound scan, their expectation is mainly anxiety reduction and a high percentage would proceed to pregnancy termination in the event of the detection of a fetal abnormality.

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Anxiety levels of pregnant women during ultrasound examination: coping styles, amount of feedback and learned resourcefulness

Cited by 33 publications

References 0 publications

Women’s Perception of Information and Experiences of Nuchal Translucency Screening in Greece

Women’s Perception of Information and Experiences of Nuchal Translucency Screening in Greece

Seeing baby: women's experience of prenatal ultrasound examination and unexpected fetal diagnosis

Women’s Expectations and Intention to Terminate Pregnancy in Case of Abnormal Findings at the Second Trimester Level II Ultrasound Scan

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