Maternal–fetal attachment in blind women using physical model from three-dimensional ultrasound and magnetic resonance scan data: six serious cases

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study is to assess the maternal–fetal attachment (MFA) in six blind pregnant women by means three-dimensional (3D) physical models from 3D ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan data. Methods: We performed a prospective observational cross-sectional study with six blind pregnant women who performed 3D ultrasound and MRI exams to build 3D physical models for their fetuses. The MFA was assessed quantitatively by means a questionnaire of three questions, each one with a score ranging from 0 to 3. We considered MFA values ≥ 7 to each pregnant woman. The descriptive data were expressed by mean ± standard deviation (SD). Results: The mean (±SD) maternal age was 32 ± 2.7 years. The mean gestational age at 3DUS and MRI exams were 23.1 ± 3.7 and 21.3 ± 0.9 weeks, respectively. The mean of gestational age at delivery was 36.5 ± 4.7 weeks and all of them were cesarean sections. The mean newborn weight was 2615.8 ± 871.9 g and the gender was 50% both female and male. The MFA was quantitatively observed in all pregnant women, with maximum value (9) in all of them. Conclusion: The MFA was quantitatively observed in all blind pregnant women using 3D physical models.