Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 19, 2026
Point-of-Care Ultrasound: A Review of Ultrasound Parameters for Predicting Difficult Airways
Published on: April 7, 2023
Information, knowledge and expectations of the routine ultrasound scan
1School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Dublin, Trinity College Dublin, 24 D'Olier Street, Dublin 2, Ireland. jlalor@tcd.ie
Objective:
To examine the current provision of pre-ultrasound information to women; to determine if the information provided was related to women's knowledge of the routine second trimester ultrasound; and to describe women's expectations of the scan.
Design:
A descriptive survey, before and after design.
Setting:
Tertiary referral centre in the Republic of Ireland.
Participants:
A convenience sample of pregnant women attending for routine second trimester ultrasound scan.
Measurements:
Self-report questionnaires were used to explore the availability of information about the test, the extent of women's knowledge and expectations of the examination, and the degree to which expectations were achieved.
Findings:
Most women received little information from health professionals about the capability and limitations of the scan, and had expectations that exceeded the purpose and ability of the examination. Most women, however, stated that their expectations were met in most cases. Although the routine ultrasound in the study site is not a targeted fetal anatomical survey, most women were concerned with this aspect of the test.
Key Conclusions:
If women are to have realistic expectations of the routine ultrasound scan, then improvements are required in the provision of pre-ultrasound information, particularly in relation to the technological limitations of the examination. Consideration should be given to the context of the high appeal associated with visualising the fetus for women when unachievable expectations are reported as having been met.
Implications For Practice:
Any development of prenatal screening programmes that will uncover fetal abnormalities needs to be considered in context, in particular when termination of pregnancy is not available within the jurisdiction. Women had expectations of the examination that could not, because of technological limitations, have been met by the examination, but which they perceived to have been met. Knowledge of the purpose, capabilities and limitations of the routine second trimester ultrasound scan was not influenced by the mode of information provision.
Related Concept Videos
01:20Ultrasound I: Abdominal Ultrasonography
Abdominal ultrasonography, commonly known as abdominal ultrasound, is a vital, non-invasive medical imaging technique widely used in healthcare.
Procedure:
This diagnostic tool allows the clinician to visually inspect internal structures within the abdomen, including vital organs such as the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, kidneys, and spleen.
The abdominal ultrasound process begins with applying a special gel to the patient's skin over the abdomen. This gel enhances the...
01:24Imaging Studies II: Ultrasonography
01:17Ultrasonography
During an ultrasonography procedure, a handheld device called a...
01:25Ultrasound II: Endoscopic Ultrasound and FibroScan
Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS):
01:14Imaging Studies I: CT and MRI
Description of the Procedures
Computed Tomography (CT) scan:
Computed Tomography (CT) scans use X-ray technology to generate detailed images of bones, organs, and tissues. During the scan, the patient lies on a moving table...
01:27Imaging Studies IV: Magnetic Resonance Imaging