Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The aim of the study was to explore pregnant women's experiences of received information in relation to fetal malformation detected on ultrasound.
METHOD
An exploratory descriptive design was used. Semi-structured interviews with women who continued their pregnancy and women who chose to terminate were audiotaped, the information pathway described, and the text subjected to qualitative content analysis.
RESULTS
Most of the women who expected a baby with an abnormality experienced the information given as insufficient, often misleading, conflicting, or incoherent, and sometimes negative. Important factors for interaction between women and caregivers were timing, duration, and manner of the initial dialog and ongoing support. Positive interactions improved the women's ability to understand the information, fostered feelings of trust and safety which reduced their anxiety.
CONCLUSION
Women expressed dissatisfaction both regarding the care-givers' methods of giving information and apply for information from different specialists and continuity. The study highlights important factors which may be helpful to the professionals for improving the information to this vulnerable group of women.

Links

Publisher Full Text

Authors

Asplin N, Wessel H, Marions L, Georgsson Öhman S

Institution

Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, SE-17176 Solna Stockholm, Sweden. nina.asplin@ki.se

Source

Sexual & reproductive healthcare : official journal of the Swedish Association of Midwives 3:2 2012 Jun pg 73-8

MeSH

Abortion, Eugenic
Adult
Congenital Abnormalities
Empathy
Female
Humans
Interviews as Topic
Midwifery
Needs Assessment
Patient Education as Topic
Patient Preference
Patient Satisfaction
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Trimester, Second
Pregnant Women
Professional-Patient Relations
Ultrasonography, Prenatal

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Language

eng

PubMed ID

22578754