The objective of this study is to assess the maternal–fetal attachment (MFA) in six blind pregnant women by means three-dimensional (3D) physical models from 3D ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan data.
METHOD AND MATERIALSWe performed a prospective observational cross-sectional study with six blind pregnant women who performed 3D ultrasound and MRI exams to build 3D physical models for their fetuses. The MFA was assessed quantitatively by means a questionnaire of three questions, each one with a score ranging from 0 to 3. We considered MFA values > 7 to each pregnant woman. The descriptive data were expressed by mean ± standard deviation (SD). The pregnant women were included to this study after providing informed consent.
RESULTSThe mean (±SD) maternal age was 32 ± 2.7 years. The mean gestational age at 3DUS and MRI exams were 23.1 ± 3.7 and 21.3 ± 0.9 weeks, respectively. The mean of gestational age at delivery was 36.5 ± 4.7 weeks and all of them were cesarean sections. The mean newborn weight was 2615.8 ± 871.9 g and the gender was 50% both female and male. The MFA was quantitatively observed in all pregnant women, with maximum value (9) in all of them.
CONCLUSIONThe MFA was quantitatively observed in all blind pregnant women using 3D physical models.
CLINICAL RELEVANCE/APPLICATIONThe three-dimensional (3D) physical models from 3D ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan data were designed to improve the maternal–fetal attachment (MFA) in blind pregnant women.The techniques described in this study can be applied at different stages of pregnancy and constitute an innovative contribution to research on fetal abnormalities. We believe that physical models will help in the tactile and interactive study of complex abnormalities in multiple disciplines. They may also be useful for prospective parents because a 3D physical model with the characteristics of the fetus should allow a more direct emotional connection to their unborn child.