Women's experiences of fetal abnormality

Sixteen women's views on the care that they had received, in a fetal medicine unit, were investigated by tape-recording semi-structured interviews and the main themes were identified and are presented in the form of a discussion.

Abstract

Women who are told that their unborn baby has an abnormality experience shock and grief. The decisions that they then make may affect the rest of their lives. The importance of effective and compassionate care around the time of the diagnosis of a severe fetal abnormality cannot be emphasized too strongly. Sixteen women's views on the care that they had received, in a fetal medicine unit, were investigated by tape-recording semi-structured interviews. The main themes were identified and are presented in the form of a discussion. All the women reported that they had been confronted with unexpected information. The findings for some of the women were inconclusive and this contributed to difficulties in the decision-making process if a termination was considered. All expressed the need for greater information. Almost all expressed a loss of confidence in their ability to have a normal pregnancy in the future.