Pregnant Women's Experiences of Obstetric Abdominal Ultrasound: A Qualitative Study Exploring Emotional, Cognitive, and Relational Dimensions.
- 1Department of Public Health Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University, Burdur 15030, Türkiye.
- 2Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Bucak State Hospital, Burdur 15300, Türkiye.
- 3Geriatric Care Department, Istanbul Atlas University, Istanbul 34408, Türkiye.
Abstract
Aim: This study aimed to explore pregnant women's experiences of obstetric abdominal ultrasound and examine the emotional, cognitive, and relational dimensions of these experiences. Methods: A qualitative descriptive study was conducted with 20 pregnant women attending routine obstetric ultrasound examinations in Türkiye. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using Braun and Clarke's reflexive thematic analysis. Results: Five themes were identified, reflecting the emotional, cognitive, relational, and embodied dimensions of women's ultrasound experiences. Women's experiences of obstetric ultrasound were characterized by emotional ambivalence, the transformation of pregnancy into a tangible and relational reality through fetal visualization, participants' evolving sense of maternal identity, reassurance associated with supportive communication, and perceptions of preparedness for childbirth and motherhood. Conclusions: The findings highlight the importance of integrating woman-centered communication and emotional support into routine obstetric ultrasound to address women's informational, emotional, and relational needs during antenatal care.
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BibTeX
@article{balci2026pregnant,
title = {{Pregnant Women's Experiences of Obstetric Abdominal Ultrasound: A Qualitative Study Exploring Emotional, Cognitive, and Relational Dimensions.}},
author = {Ayse Sezer Balci and Cigdem Can Bayrak and Meliha Akpınar Alaoglu},
journal = {Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3390/healthcare14203472},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42940519},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Pregnant Women's Experiences of Obstetric Abdominal Ultrasound: A Qualitative Study Exploring Emotional, Cognitive, and Relational Dimensions.
AU - Ayse Sezer Balci
AU - Cigdem Can Bayrak
AU - Meliha Akpınar Alaoglu
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/16
JO - Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)
DO - 10.3390/healthcare14203472
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42940519
AB - Aim: This study aimed to explore pregnant women's experiences of obstetric abdominal ultrasound and examine the emotional, cognitive, and relational dimensions of these experiences. Methods: A qualitative descriptive study was conducted with 20 pregnant women attending routine obstetric ultrasound examinations in Türkiye. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using Braun and Clarke's reflexive thematic analysis. Results: Five themes were identified, reflecting the emotional, cognitive, relational, and embodied dimensions of women's ultrasound experiences. Women's experiences of obstetric ultrasound were characterized by emotional ambivalence, the transformation of pregnancy into a tangible and relational reality through fetal visualization, participants' evolving sense of maternal identity, reassurance associated with supportive communication, and perceptions of preparedness for childbirth and motherhood. Conclusions: The findings highlight the importance of integrating woman-centered communication and emotional support into routine obstetric ultrasound to address women's informational, emotional, and relational needs during antenatal care.
SN - 2227-9032
ER -