P23.07: Effect of three versus four‐dimensional ultrasonography on maternal attachment

Abstract

To evaluate the effect of maternal exposure to real-time 4-dimensional (4D) fetal ultrasound versus still 3-dimensional (3D) ultrasound on maternal-infant attachment. Three hundred pregnant women were recruited. Baseline assessments were performed at 18-20 weeks gestation and included the administration of the Maternal Antenatal Attachment Scale (MAAS) and Health Behaviour Questionnaire. Women were randomized to the 3D or 4D groups. The allocated ultrasound was performed at 28-30 weeks gestation and the Maternal Infant Attachment Questionnaire (MIA) was administered three weeks after delivery. The primary endpoint was the Quality of Attachment subscale of the MIA and comparisons between groups were adjusted for baseline MAAS scores. The mean MIA Quality of Attachment subscale scores were 32.7 and 32.6 for the 3D and 4D groups, respectively (adjusted mean difference was 0.16; 95% CI: -0.67 to 0.99; p = 0.7). The mean MIA Pleasure in Interaction subscale scores were 23.4 and 23.7 for the 3D and 4D groups, respectively (adjusted mean difference was -0.33; 95% CI: -0.81 to 0.15; p = 0.2). Mean scores for the MIA Absence of Hostility Subscale were 16.0 and 16.2 for the 3D and 4D groups respectively (adjusted mean difference was -0.12 95% CI: -0.70 to 0.46; p = 0.7). We found that maternal exposure to real-time 4D ultrasound did not increase maternal-infant attachment.