The Effect of Ultrasound Scanning on the State Anxiety among Expectant Mothers in Their First Trimester and Predictors of Anxiety

Abstract

Background: Undergoing ultrasound scanning (USS) during the first tri mester of pregnancy is highly imperative for expecting mothers, as it sup ports the early detection of any malformations, identifying the fetal number, fetal growth, fetal sex, and calculation of delivery. Previous studies have shown that undergoing such prenatal screening procedures could reduce the antenatal anxiety levels of expectant mothers. The present study aimed to explore the impact of first-trimester ultrasound scanning towards the ante natal anxiety and identify the predictors of antenatal anxiety among ex pectant mothers in the first trimester. Methods: A repeated measure design study was conducted in Maternity Clinics of University Hospital KDU, Ninewells Care Hospital and Navy General Hospital over 4 months with one hundred and fifteen (n = 115) expectant mothers. Participants completed a general information sheet first and State Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) (Spielberger et al., 1970) was administered before and after undergoing the USS. Results: Mean age of the participants was 28.84 ± 3.68. The Wilcoxon Signed Rank test showed that there is a significant reduction of participants’ antenatal anxiety levels following the USS z = −5.658, p < 0.001, with an effect size of r = 0.37. The hierarchical multiple regression analysis showed that partner’s support was a significant predictor of antenatal anxiety among the expectant mothers in the first trimester. Conclusions: Findings suggest that undergoing the first trimester USS significantly reduces the antenatal state anxiety and partner’s support is an important factor in reducing the antenatal anxiety experienced by expectant mothers in the first trimester. Future studies can focus on how USS can contribute to alleviating antenatal anxiety in second and third trimesters.