Effects of ultrasound on anxiety and psychosocial adaptation to pregnancy

Ultrasound is a common medical care procedure during pregnancy which has psychological implications. Research has found that it reduces the mother’s level of anxiety, but there is not enough literature on the effects of the ultrasound in relation to the trimester it is done (first, second, and third) and the effects on the psychosocial adaptation to pregnancy. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the ultrasound in the first, second, and third trimester on anxiety and variables related to psychosocial adaptation to pregnancy. A pre-post intervention design was used. Participants were 111 pregnant women attending a prenatal diagnosis ultrasound scan procedure, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), and Prenatal Self-Evaluation Questionnaire (PSEQ) were used to measure anxiety and psychosocial adaptation to pregnancy, respectively. Previous history was obtained through an interview. Results indicated that anxiety diminished after the ultrasound regardless of the trimester in which the ultrasound took place. However, first trimester ultrasound showed an additional benefit favoring the mother’s psychosocial adaptation to pregnancy, identification with the motherhood role, and the quality of the relationship with the partner. These findings suggest that in addition to the medical value of the ultrasound, it also has an important psychological value that has to be considered in order to guarantee an integral care of the pregnant women, especially in the first trimester.