Results of echography tests have sometimes proven to be faulty.

Echography is a radiology technique through which deep structures of the body are visualised by recording the reflections of ultrasonic waves directed into the tissues. Through echography, it is possible to determine ovarian, uterine, or foetal status in pregnant women.

Over the past decade the joy of every pregnant woman in Cameroon is to know the sex of her baby as early as possible through echography. Generally recommended by a medical doctor, echography tests are normal and affordable. Besides checking the foetal condition and evolution of the pregnancy, the results usually determine how to prepare for the birth of the baby or babies. What has been the cause for worry recently is the fact that echography results have sometimes proven to be faulty.

Juliana B., a Yaounde inhabitant was seen sitting in the corridor of an echography department in a hospital yesterday. Since she is in the first trimester of her pregnancy, she was asked to drink enough water to enable her have a full bladder to help push the uterus into a better position to enable the echography machine view the foetus and surrounding structures and also to measure the cervix. She said it was not her first time to go for an echography test. She explained that she was pregnant two years ago and went for an echography.

The result of the test revealed that she was going to give birth to one baby but she finally gave birth to a set of twins. She said for her current pregnancy, she will prepare for both a boy and a girl because echography results may not be exact. Pauline E., another Yaounde inhabitant aged 23 said she got pregnant last year and according to an echography test she had a set of twins (two girls). Pauline said after taking her results, she started preparing for two baby girls. But surprisingly, she gave birth to two boys. Mrs Modo P., mother of a seven months-old baby girl said from the early stage of her pregnancy, it was detected that she was going to give birth to a boy but she finally gave birth to a baby girl.

The story is not different for Alice M. who lives in the Biyem-Assi neighbourhood of Yaounde. She said when she got pregnant three years ago, the echography test revealed that she had one baby but she finally gave birth to twins. As for Pascaline N. when she got pregnant in 2007, she was told that she would give birth on May 15 but she finally gave birth on May 30. Despite the doubts surrounding echography results, many women still go for the test to ensure the safety of their babies and themselves. Martina B. a teacher in Yaounde said she goes for echography tests not only to know the sex of her baby, but to follow the progress of her pregnancy. “It is good to know your state and that of the baby you are carrying to avoid surprises,” she said.