Parents' worried state of mind when fetal ultrasound shows an unexpected finding: a comparative study.

OBJECTIVE

Most parents yearn for a second-trimester ultrasound examination and feel excitement about it, but some also worry about what the examination will show. According to prior research, using only generic instruments or specific questionnaires, anxiety decreases when the ultrasound findings are normal. The aim of this study was to compare parents' worry (Parents' Expectations, Experiences, and Reactions to Ultrasound [PEER-U] State of Mind Index) and sense of coherence before and after a routine second-trimester ultrasound examination when it showed normal or abnormal findings.

METHODS

A 1-year cohort study was performed at a Swedish university hospital. A total of 2049 parents who had their second-trimester ultrasound examinations there filled in a questionnaire consisting of 2 parts before and after the examinations.

RESULTS

Parents with normal ultrasound findings were less worried than parents with abnormal findings. The group with normal findings also showed less worry after the examination than before. A sex analysis showed similar patterns.

CONCLUSIONS

Parents with abnormal ultrasound findings are more worried and anxious. The new instrument, the PEER-U State of Mind Index, not only measures parents' worry but can also expose what influences their ultrasound examination experience.