The influence of ultrasound examinations in prenatal care on pregnant women's emotions and consciousness of physical change

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Objective : This study was undertaken to reexamine these results, and to assess the influence of ultrasound examinations on the emotions of pregnant women and their conscious preparations for childbirth.Subjects and method : Interviews were requested of 24 pregnant women, 18 of whom were examined using ultrasound in antenatal care, and 6 of who received antenatal care that did not include ultrasound examinations. The interviews were conducted immediately following the subjects' antenatal examinations, and consisted of semi-structured questions and questions to which the subjects responded freely.Results : In early pregnancy, the subjects who offered positive comments, but the remaining subjects had negative comments. In mid-pregnancy, the subjects had led to acceptance of pregnancy and a greater sense of anticipation regarding the birth of the baby. In late pregnancy, as physical awareness of the baby increased, the subjects were even more consciously aware of the impending birth. Among the subjects who did not receive ultrasound, the physical changes brought about by pregnancy encouraged awareness and acceptance of pregnancy, and heightened the subjects' consciousness of the impending birth.Conclusion : The results of this study indicate that, for both women who are examined using ultrasound and those who are not, the physical changes brought on by pregnancy and the subjects' sensations of fetal movement are the major factors encouraging active, positive acceptance of pregnancy.