OBJECTIVE:

To quantify the number of ultrasound scans during pregnancy and evaluate the quality of ultrasound in the second and third trimester of gestation in the low risk obstetric population in the metropolitan area.

MATERIAL AND METHODS:

we conducted a prospective, observational and descriptive study in 199 women that arrived to the hospital for delivery without prenatal care in our unit, quantified the number of ultrasound scans performed during pregnancy, and evaluate the quality of the second and third trimester echographies with a check list based on international guidelines. The percentage of adherence was obtained and analyzed by the professional in health responsible of the study.

RESULTS:

The average scan per patient was 3.37, 80% had three or more. Analysis of ultrasound for the second trimester showed an average of 13.8 parameters evaluated with 43% of adherence to standards; in the ultrasounds of the third trimester, the evaluated parameters averaged 10 with a percentage of attachment of 66.7%. The largest number of studies was performed by sonographists.

CONCLUSIONS:

The ultrasound is a tool accessible to the population of the metropolitan area; however, it should be emphasized in the quality of studies.