Pre-scan talk of defects stresses mothers

WARNING pregnant women about potential foetal abnormalities prior to scans causes undue stress to expectant mothers, new research has found.

The study, carried out by Joan Lalor, Health Research Board clinical midwifery fellow, found women do not want a list of possible defects in their unborn child before having an ultrasound scan.

The research, published in the Journal of Advanced Nursing, shows that while women want to be told early on if a problem is detected, they don’t want a detailed list of possible problems in advance of a scan.