Use of 'non-medical' ultrasound imaging before mid-pregnancy in Copenhagen

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

We have investigated prospectively how many pregnant women purchase ultrasound imaging before week 20, why they purchase scans, and which professional skills and certifications women expect the person performing the scan to have. In addition, we wanted to investigate whether the women were aware of any professional authorization procedures. Women attending the second trimester malformation scan of the Danish Prenatal Screening Program (n = 645) filled in a questionnaire about their use of non-medical ultrasound scans. Of these women, 154 (24%) had bought ultrasound scans: 50% wanted to have the fetal health and development checked and 49% wanted to find out the gender of the fetus. In addition, 68% felt that they received an evaluation of the fetal health state and 58% believed that there was legislation demanding a professional authorization needed to perform ultrasound imaging. This study shows that there is a significant demand among pregnant women for commercial ultrasound imaging of their fetus for various reasons. Knowledge of certifications and requirements for legal authorization is, however, sparse.

Original languageEnglish
JournalActa Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica
Volume94
Issue number1
Pages (from-to)102-5
Number of pages4
ISSN0001-6349
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2015

    Research areas

  • Adult, Attitude to Health, Cohort Studies, Consumer Product Safety, Denmark, Diagnostic Imaging, Female, Hospitals, University, Humans, Incidence, Pregnancy, Pregnancy Trimester, Second, Prenatal Diagnosis, Prospective Studies, Risk Assessment, Self Care, Surveys and Questionnaires, Technology Transfer, Ultrasonography, Prenatal

ID: 152272829