Expectant parents’ attitudes to termination of pregnancy in general and in cases of fetal
abnormality
Engelsk titel: Expectant parents’ attitudes to termination of pregnancy in general and in cases of fetal
abnormality
Läs online
Författare:
Ekelin, Maria
;
Larsson, Anna-Karin
Email: maria.ekelin@med.lu.se
Språk: Eng
Antal referenser: 32
Dokumenttyp:
Artikel
UI-nummer: 16093258
Sammanfattning
The aim of this article was to explore whether expectant parents’ attitudes to termination or
continuation of pregnancy, both in general and in case of fetal abnormality, are affected by previous
experiences of miscarriage and whether attitudes change after ultrasound screening with normal
findings. It was also of interest to investigate differences in attitudes in relation to age, parity and
gender. A prospective one-year cohort study was carried out. Questionnaires were administered
before and after the ultrasound examination. Analyses included 1258 women and 925 men. A
comparison between the results pre- and post-ultrasound showed that after the ultrasound
examination, there were significant changes towards a more positive attitude to give birth to a baby
with an abnormality. Men were significantly more willing to terminate for a fetal abnormality and
significantly less hesitant towards abortion in general than women. Women aged 35 years or older
were significantly less willing to give birth to a baby with an abnormality and significantly more
positive to termination for fetal abnormality than younger women. Parents showed understanding
attitudes towards other parents’ decisions no matter what these were. We conclude that parents need
individualized information and support in connection with prenatal diagnosis, due to parental
hesitancy. Midwives play an important role in this.