Effects of two ultrasound scanning regimens on the management of pregnancy.

Two obstetric ultrasound scanning regimens were compared with each other and with two control groups by studying the effects on the management of pregnancy. One group of women was scanned routinely whilst the other was scanned only for specific clinical indications. Management was improved in both the scanned groups compared with that in the control groups, mainly in the mode and timing of delivery and in the admission pattern during pregnancy. Routine scanning resulted in more accurate early detection of placenta praevia and multiple pregnancy but there was no improvement in the management of labour compared with that in the group scanned only for specific reasons.