Patient acceptance of transvaginal sonography in the early pregnancy unit setting

Abstract

Objective: To establish the acceptability of transvaginal scanning in patients attending an early pregnancy unit (EPU) due to problems in early pregnancy such as vaginal bleeding.

Methods: An unselected group of pregnant women who were less than 8 weeks' gestation were invited to complete a questionnaire before the transvaginal scan regarding their views about the pregnancy and about the scan itself. They were asked to complete a second questionnaire after the scan had been performed. Information was collected about the presenting symptoms and the final diagnosis.

Results: Of a total of 107 patients, the most common reason for attending the EPU was vaginal bleeding (51.4%). The primary concern for the majority of these women was their pregnancy, rather than the scan procedure itself. Their concerns about the scan were not altered by a previous history of miscarriages or by maternal age. After the scan, more than 77% of patients scored < or = 3 out of 10 with regard to discomfort, pain and embarrassment. Only 1.9% experienced marked discomfort, scoring > 8 out of 10. The scores were not altered by the patients' diagnoses. A total of 99% of patients said that they would agree to have a similar procedure in the future.

Conclusion: This questionnaire-based study confirms that patients attending with problems in early pregnancy find transvaginal sonography acceptable.