Midwives in the Bay of Plenty hope the introduction of free ultrasound scans for pregnant women in their district will pave the way for the rest of the country.
The region's DHB has been partially funding the scans but will now also pay for the $45 which has been charged by privately run maternity providers.
It's estimated about 40 percent of pregnant women in the region chose to skip ultrasound scans last year.
Opotiki midwife Lisa Kelly spoke to Philippa Tolley.
