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Objectives: This study's primary objective was to analyse the personal experience of different ultrasonographers during the announcement of suspected foetal abnormalities, seen either in screening or diagnostic ultrasound. The secondary objectives aimed to explore the factors influencing the announcement of the foetal abnormality, whether they complicated or facilitated the consultation. These also comprised the analysis of the knowledge, practice and attitudes of the healthcare professionals as well as the different techniques used during the consultation. Finally, this study aimed to analyse the various tools and skills used by ultrasonographers to improve the quality of their announcement of the diagnosis., Methods: This qualitative study was based on both the observation of consultations and the results of semi-structured interviews with ultrasonographers, in a maternity hospital in France., Results: The results highlighted feelings of great discomfort for the ultrasonographers on discovering an abnormality on the scan. The different perceptions and practices regarding the announcement of a diagnosis varied between screening ultrasonographers and specialist doctors. The uncertainty of foetal prognosis seemed to complicate the announcement for specialist doctors. Qualities that made the communication of the diagnosis easier included the ultrasonographer's availability and their attitude. Although professional experience was considered a very powerful skill, training for the communication of a diagnosis accelerates the development of good medical practice., Conclusions: The announcement of suspected foetal abnormalities is a difficult exercice, which impacts the ultrasonographer's personal experience and his attitude. Some professional practices are to be encouraged while others are to be put under question. A trust-based relationship between the healthcare professional and the patient is partly reinforced by the quality of the announcement and its follow-up, as well as the healthcare professional's thoroughness and humanity., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: Despite the guidelines in effect, too few women in France receive folic acid supplementation. The principal objective of this study was to identify the factors associated with the inadequacy of this supplementation in the periconceptional period. The secondary objective was to assess women's knowledge about the prevention of neural tube defects (NTDs)., Methods: This study included 400 women and took place in 8 Parisian maternity. Folic acid supplementation was inadequate when started after the beginning of the pregnancy., Results: Among the women questioned, 68% had inadequate folic acid supplementation. They were significantly younger (ORa= 1,8; 95% IC [1,1-2,8]), didn't had health insurance (ORa=3,9; 95% IC [1,5-10,1]), had not studied after high school (ORa=2,9; 95% IC [1,2-6,9]) and had regular gynecological care less often than the women with adequate supplementation (ORa=3,0; 95% IC [1,6-5,6]). More than half (55.5%) had insufficient knowledge of the benefits of folic acid; the factors related to this lack of knowledge were the absence of regular gynecological care and of health insurance., Conclusion: Individual factors associated with a lack of supplementation have been identified. These results provide health professionals and supervisors with useful information for developing strategies adapted to certain subgroups of women for better prevention of AFTN in these populations., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)