Authors: Constanza A. Pontones 1,*, Adriana Titzmann 1, Hanna Huebner 1, Nina Danzberger 1, Matthias Ruebner 1, Lothar Häberle 1, Bjoern M. Eskofier 2, Michael Nissen 2, Sven Kehl 1, Florian Faschingbauer 1, Matthias W. Beckmann 1, Peter A. Fasching 1 and Michael O. Schneider 1
Conclusion:
Self-examination using mobile systems for fetal ultrasound during pregnancy was generally acceptable for the pregnant women who participated. The analysis showed that the image quality was adequate for assessing amniotic fluid in most participants. Identification of fetal heartbeat and fetal facial profile was more challenging for the women. Further studies are needed to determine whether ultrasound self-examinations can be implemented in prenatal care and what effects this might have on fetomaternal outcomes.
The next step will be to perform a clinical trial using study procedures similar to those in this study, but with the women receiving additional live support from a physician using video telephony.
