– You get a little stressed. It is easy to think that something is wrong. It is good to be confirmed that everything is in order, says Lisa Engel. Together with the man who will become a father, Kim Henrik Olsen, she has just finished her first ultrasound examination. In the spring of 2020, the politicians decided that ultrasound should be offered in the first trimester, that is to say the first three months of a pregnancy. In autumn 2021, it was still uncertain when the offer would be in place. Before, women had to wait until week 18 of pregnancy before they had an ultrasound. Statistics show that 70 per cent of all pregnant women would still have an ultrasound sooner, and booked an appointment privately. 83 per cent paid themselves Stavanger University Hospital (SUS) has carried out a survey which showed that 83 per cent had all taken an ultrasound – privately – when they received a public offer at week 18. Ragnar Sande, section chief at the Women’s Clinic at Stavanger University Hospital (SUS). Photo: Hanne Høyland / news In Trondheim and Bergen there were equal numbers, according to section chief Ragnar Sande. – We think it is good that this is an offer for everyone, not just for those who have the resources to arrange this themselves, says Sande, who works at the Women’s Clinic at SUS. Lisa Engel did not know that she was going to get an offer from SUS. So she had booked an appointment herself. – I hadn’t waited until week 18. I actually had an appointment tomorrow. I have canceled it, she says. Will have her first child Now all pregnant women will gradually receive the early offer that Lisa Engel received. It is not in place across the country yet, but the first pregnant women have been given the opportunity in Helse Vest. Sande sees both advantages and disadvantages. It is positive that pregnant women can have increased security and that conditions can be detected early – for example twins – that require closer follow-up during pregnancy. On the negative side, he pointed out that it requires both equipment, machines and people, and that there are already few doctors and midwives. – But we think it is high time that Norwegian women get this offer, he says. Lisa Engel hasn’t been pregnant that long, but has still had time to think a lot about whether that’s the way it should be. Photo: Hanne Høyland / news Lisa Engel (22) and Kim Henrik Olsen (24) are happy about the security they now have. – It is good to be able to see that everything is in order very early on, says Olsen. – I will have children before the first time. I have thought about whether something could have been wrong: whether I have eaten too much, whether I have eaten too little. You will be relieved when you come in here and be told that everything looks fine. Then you can relax, she says.
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