Glimpsing the future – why do expectant parents choose 3D scans?

2 February 2012

Researchers from the University of Hull are searching throughout the UK for expectant parents undergoing 3D ultrasound scans to take part in a study into their psychological effects.

Modern 3D ultrasound scanning, which shows the fetus in three dimensions, can produce some extraordinary images of unborn foetuses, but 3D information is not usually required by health professionals for medical reasons.

Instead, these types of scans are more often offered by private clinics and marketed as ‘bonding scans’ or ‘reassurance scans’. Four-dimensional scans, which add the dimension of time and include a video of the unborn child, are also offered.

Early results from the study, being carried out in the University’s Faculty of Health and Social Care, show that these scans are not simply the choice of well-off families who can easily afford the additional expense of a private clinic. Expectant parents from a wide range of socio-economic backgrounds are choosing to undergo 3 or 4D scans at between 24 and 32 weeks into the pregnancy.

So what does motivate parents to undertake these scans, and what benefits might they hope to derive from them? Franziska Wadephul, of the Faculty of Health and Social Care, is leading the research. She says: “These scans have become increasingly popular over the last few years. Our study looks at the range of reasons for parents choosing to undergo these scans. Early findings show that expectant parents seem to like being able to choose when and where to have the scan and the 3D images tend to provide clearer images of the foetus, making it easier to picture what he or she looks like.  Many expectant parents seem to choose 3D scans for reassurance and many say they simply like seeing their baby.”

She added: “There has been a lot of research into the psychological impact of routine 2D scans.  While this research is contradictory and ambiguous, it has been claimed that scans may enhance bonding during pregnancy and reduce anxiety.  Virtually no research, however, has been done into the effects of private 3 and 4D scans, although it has been the topic of serious debate.  Cathy Warwick, Chief Executive of the Royal College of Midwives, for example, recently spoke out about her fears that 3D scans are being used for entertainment, rather than as a serious diagnostic tool.

“Our aim is to find out more about what actually motivates parents to choose these additional scans and what impact they have on parents’ experiences of pregnancy.”

The study is being carried out across the UK, using a mixture of quantitative and qualitative analysis. Expectant parents can choose to either complete questionnaires or interviews (or both) about their scan, so researchers can document  what they hope to get from it, and what their actual experiences are afterwards. More information about how to take part in the study is available at the 3D scan study website.

Ends.

Photo: ©iStockphoto.com/SAG