Dataset Information

Women's experiences of monitoring the small-for-gestational age fetus by ultrasound: A qualitative study.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To explore experiences among pregnant women diagnosed with a small-for-gestational age (SGA) fetus, and monitored by frequent ultrasounds.

Methods

We performed a qualitative study at the outpatient clinic of the Gynecology and Obstetrics department of a large academic hospital in Amsterdam. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with fifteen women, diagnosed with an SGA fetus during their pregnancy and having had at least two monitoring ultrasounds since. Themes were identified following analysis of the interview transcripts.

Results

Most women experienced the frequent ultrasounds as a source of support providing comfort and a feeling of safety. It was considered necessary, in the best interest of the baby, which outweighed the discomfort caused by having to come to the hospital frequently. Women described anxiety building up prior to each ultrasound, but feeling reassured and relieved afterwards. During the ultrasound a continuous explanation was preferred, which provided confirmation and a feeling of security. Women identified the uncertainty of SGA's cause and prognosis as one of the biggest challenges to cope with, for which they used different strategies. Many women expressed a need for more detailed information and counselling, including non-medical aspects of pregnancy and delivery as well. Lastly, many women reported that seeing different doctors negatively influenced the perceived quality of care.

Conclusions

In general, women in this study were satisfied with the ultrasounds for their small-for-gestational age pregnancies. However, women expressed a need for additional information to help cope with a feeling of uncertainty regarding cause and prognosis. Their medical team should preferably provide this in a consistent and continuous manner.

SUBMITTER: Vollgraff Heidweiller-Schreurs CA

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6493740 | biostudies-literature | 2019

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Women's experiences of monitoring the small-for-gestational age fetus by ultrasound: A qualitative study.

Vollgraff Heidweiller-Schreurs Charlotte A CA de Boer Marjon A MA van der Meij Karuna R M KRM Bax Caroline J CJ de Groot Christianne J M CJM Henneman Lidewij L

PloS one 20190501 5

<h4>Objective</h4>To explore experiences among pregnant women diagnosed with a small-for-gestational age (SGA) fetus, and monitored by frequent ultrasounds.<h4>Methods</h4>We performed a qualitative study at the outpatient clinic of the Gynecology and Obstetrics department of a large academic hospital in Amsterdam. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with fifteen women, diagnosed with an SGA fetus during their pregnancy and having had at least two monitoring ultrasounds since. Themes were ...[more]

PMID: 31042753

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Dataset Information

Women's experiences of monitoring the small-for-gestational age fetus by ultrasound: A qualitative study.

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Women's experiences of monitoring the small-for-gestational age fetus by ultrasound: A qualitative study.

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