title: Three-dimensional ultrasound and maternal bonding, a third trimester study and a review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the effect of third trimester three-dimensional and four-dimensional (3D/4D) versus two-dimensional (2D) ultrasound (US) of the fetal face on maternal bonding. Studies quantifying the psychological effect of 3D/4D US on mothers, pregnant of a fetus with no detectable abnormalities, were reviewed.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred sixty Caucasian women attended a third trimester 3D/4D or 2D US examination. Women filled out the Maternal Antenatal Attachment Scale (MAAS) 1 to 2 weeks before (MAAS1) and 1 to 2 weeks after (MAAS2) the US examination. Visibility, recognition and attractiveness were assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Within both US groups, the MAAS2 scores were significantly higher than the MAAS1 scores (p < 0.0001). No differences in MAAS scores between the US groups emerged. Visibility and recognition were significantly positively related with the increase in MAAS scores (p = 0.003 and p = 0.042) in the 3D/4D group. Of 13 psychological studies, eight studies evaluated bonding and found no difference between 3D/4D and 2D US. The effect of 3D/4D US on satisfaction or perception showed conflicting results, and on anxiety/stress, reduction was the same as after 2D US.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Bonding increases after either a 3D/4D or 2D US. The effect of 3D/4D US on bonding is stronger at better degrees of visibility and recognition.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, St. Antonius Hospital, Nieuwegein, The Netherlands. e.de.jongpleij@xs4all.nl
authors.forename: E A P
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: de Jong-Pleij
authors.forename: L S M
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Ribbert
authors.forename: L R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Pistorius
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tromp
authors.forename: E J H
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Mulder
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Bilardo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004522:Educational Status; D005145:Face / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000196:embryology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000523:psychology; D033261:Maternal-Fetal Relations / Q000523:psychology*; D009769:Object Attachment; D011247:Pregnancy; D011263:Pregnancy Trimester, Third; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000379:methods* / Q000523:psychology