Scanxiety - Can we reduce anxiety in primigravida patients attending for the fetal anomaly scan
Helen Ong, South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust
Background
The Fetal Anomaly Scan is a detailed examination which is performed between18 + 0 20+6 weeks gestation. The scan aims to detect major physical abnormalities prenatally. FASP1 indicate that 508,105 women underwent screening tests between 2015 and 2016 in the UK.
The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists state that women must be fully aware of the objectives of the examination and that this should be as explicit as possible so that they can make a decision with their partner to proceed or not. With large numbers of these examinations being performed it is imperative that a proper, accurate system is in place so that people are fully aware of what an anomaly scan involves and how to appropriately prepare.