P154Psychological stress and ultrasound screening in pregnancy: a risk‐group comparison

Abstract

BackgroundWe intended to assess the psychological stress experienced by mothers during ultrasound screenings in pregnancy.MethodsBetween 1997 and 1999, 136 women (age 17–41, pregnancy week 9–41) were asked to record their stress level before, during and after the ultrasound exam on a scale from 1 to 10. 81 patients were generally concerned about their pregnancy, 22 were over age 35, 21 had specific pregnancy risks (family history, preeclampsia, first‐trimenon medication‐intake/infection, pathological ultrasound findings).ResultsWomen generally concerned or with known pregnancy risk report significantly more stress before the exam (mean 3.8 vs. 1.9 and 4.6 vs. 2.8; P < 0.01). However, during or after the exam, stress levels are equal in all groups (5.1 vs. 4.3, 2.9 vs. 2.3; P > 0.01). We also find no significant differences between women above or below age 35 (3.0 vs. 3.1 before, 4.3 vs. 4.4 during, 2.5 vs. 2.2 after ultrasound exam; P > 0.01). Overall, all women experienced the most stress during, and the least stress after the exam (P < 0.01).ConclusionOr results show that we need to anticipate an equal level of anxiety in all women we examine. We cannot assume that a young mother without risk will experience the exam any more or less distressful than a woman with predisposed risk. The results cautions us to give adequate consideration to every individual patient, regardless of pregnancy risk.