WHO recommendations on antenatal care for a positive pregnancy experience: ultrasound examination

Overview

Obstetric US is often performed to obtain fetal biometry (measurement), which facilitates estimation of GA, particularly when a scan is performed early in pregnancy. Accurate and precise GA assessment supports appropriate time-sensitive interventions during pregnancy and management of pregnancy complications, particularly pre-eclampsia and preterm labour and birth.

Diagnostic US examination may also be used in specific situations during pregnancy to address concerns about fetal growth or evaluate clinical complications, such as suspected intrauterine fetal growth restriction or surveillance of fetal well-being. However, adverse outcomes may also occur in pregnancies without clear risk factors.

Routine antenatal US performed by a competent provider may enable earlier detection of conditions that are not readily apparent, such as multiple pregnancies and placenta praevia, thereby facilitating timely and appropriate management of pregnancy complications by health systems with functioning referral processes and relevant provider expertise. Additionally, some research suggests that US scans may reassure women about their pregnancies.

This brief highlights the WHO recommendation on routine antenatal US examination and the policy and programme implications for translating this recommendation into action at the country level.