Effects of ultrasound feedback on pregnancy anxiety, fetal activity, and neonatal outcome.

A group of pregnant women received video and verbal feedback during three ultrasound examinations. This group was compared with a no-feedback group on measures of pregnancy anxiety, fetal activity, and neonatal outcome. The feedback appeared to reduce pregnancy anxiety and fetal activity, particularly for the primiparous women. These women also experienced fewer obstetric complications and gave birth to neonates who were greater weight, more appropriate weight-for-length, less active and irritable, and showed better performance on the Brazelton neonatal behavior assessment.