Ultrasound scanning for diagnosis of foetal abnormality and maternal anxieties in a longitudinal perspective

Ultrasound is a safe and non-invasive method for early prenatal detection of foetal malformation. We studied longitudinally the state anxiety in pregnant women who were examined by ultrasound scanning for foetal abnormality. Different high-risk sub-groups were compared with a non-risk control group of women with healthy uncomplicated pregnancies. The levels of anxiety of women ( N = 664) during early pregnancy were assessed. Data were collected at three points in time: immediately before the ultrasound scanning (T0), at 5-6 weeks (T1) and at 10-12 weeks (T2) after the prenatal examination for foetal malformation. Questionnaires were also used to collect information about socio-demographic data, critical life events, pregnancy data and personality. All women with high-risk pregnancies ( n = 497) showed high levels of state anxiety immediately before ultrasound scanning in comparison to the no-risk control group ( n = 167).Women with a suspected diagnosis of foetal malformation and those women with pathological endocrine testing had the highest levels of state anxiety at T0. There was a significant decrease in anxiety over the following 10-12 weeks. Only in the subgroup in which malformation was confirmed anxiety remained at a significantly higher level. Most women with risk-pregnancies had decreasing levels of anxiety longitudinally. But anxiety can remain elevated, especially when the diagnosis is confirmed. As reduced blood circulation in the placenta has been observed in pregnant women with high levels of anxiety, these women should be offered supportive care to minimize the risk for foetal development.