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For Release After 9 a.m. CST, Monday, Dec. 1, 1997

PREGNANT WOMEN WANT ULTRASOUND AND ARE WILLING TO PAY

CHICAGO -- Pregnant women not only expect prenatal ultrasound, they are so anxious to have it done they are willing to pay for it themselves, according to a survey presented here today at the 83rd Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA).

"Although ultrasound isn't a medical necessity for most pregnancies, it's relatively inexpensive, it's safe, it's easy to do, and it provides such positive reinforcement that it is valuable," said Ella A. Kazerooni, M.D., assistant professor of radiology at the University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor. "When there's reassurance things are okay, mothers tend to worry less, and the whole physical and emotional picture can affect their well-being."

Nearly all (95 percent) of the 318 women surveyed thought it very important to have an ultrasound to assure that the baby is healthy and 6 in 10 said they wanted to see the baby.

Dr. Kazerooni and her research team surveyed the pregnant women, who were ages 15 to 44, during their first visit to an obstetrician for their pregnancy. Among the findings:

ï An overwhelming 97 percent expected to receive an ultrasound during their current pregnancy although only 63 percent of those who had a previous pregnancy had undergone ultrasound.

ï 83 percent said they would worry less if an ultrasound were normal.

ï 73 percent disagreed with the statement that "ultrasound is unnecessary in healthy pregnant women."

ï 66 percent disagreed that ultrasound should be performed only if there is reason to believe something is wrong.

ï 67 percent believe ultrasound is extremely safe.

ï 45 percent thought all pregnant women should have an ultrasound.

ï 44 percent were willing to pay at least $200 themselves for an ultrasound. Those who were willing to pay were from all income levels. A prenatal ultrasound costs $300 to $400 on average.

Because prenatal ultrasound typically is not a medical necessity, some insurance companies will not routinely pay for it. But patient expectations should be taken into consideration, especially when they are so strong, said Dr. Kazerooni. "There's something about seeing the baby and taking home that first picture and showing everybody," said Dr. Kazerooni. "Some believe women bond with their babies earlier when they have ultrasound."

The best time to perform the ultrasound is around the 18th week of gestation, when the fetus is formed, but not so big that it's difficult to see everything. There are no known risks to the procedure.

Co-authors of a paper on the topic presented by Dr. Kazerooni during the RSNA meeting are K. Trever, B.S.; R.L. Bree, M.D.; C.J. Van De Ven, M.D.; C.G. Wise, Ph.D.; and S.S. Sonnad, Ph.D.

The RSNA is an association of 30,000 radiologists and physicists in medicine dedicated to education in the science of radiology. The Society's headquarters are located at 2021 Spring Road, Suite 600, Oak Brook, Illinois 60523-1860.

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Copies of 1997 RSNA news releases are available online at http://www.pcipr.com/rsna beginning Monday, Dec. 1.