scholarly journals Termination of pregnancy following a prenatal diagnosis of Down syndrome: A qualitative study of the decision-making process of pregnant couples

2018 ◽  
Vol 97 (10) ◽  
pp. 1228-1236 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stina Lou ◽  
Kathrine Carstensen ◽  
Olav Bjørn Petersen ◽  
Camilla Palmhøj Nielsen ◽  
Lone Hvidman ◽  
...  
2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Duygu Adiyaman ◽  
Bahar Konuralp Atakul ◽  
Melda Kuyucu ◽  
Alkim Gulsah Sahingoz Yildirim ◽  
Halil Gursoy Pala

AbstractShort CommunicationsThis study aims to present the termination of pregnancy (TOP) rates and elucidate the decision-making process following a prenatal diagnosis of Trisomy 21 in Turkey.Objectives and MethodsThis retrospective single-center study was conducted with 146 pregnant women between January 2016 and December 2019 in a tertiary hospital. Data on maternal characteristics, sonographic findings, indications for chromosome analysis, and educational, religious, and economic factors that can influence the parental decision process were collected.ResultsThe TOP rate of Down syndrome (DS) in our center was 78.8%. We concluded that maternal age, earlier diagnosis, indication for chromosome analysis, and previous pregnancies had no effect on the TOP decision. On the other hand, not having a minor or a major sonographic sign, employed mothers, middle- and high-income families, and families having a secondary or higher education tended to terminate the pregnancy affected by DS at statistically higher rates.ConclusionsThere are many studies worldwide investigating the TOP preferences for DS. However, there is limited data about TOP rates and influential factors affecting the decision-making process in Muslim countries. This study contributes by clarifying the factors in the decision-making process and elucidating perspectives about TOP in a Muslim country with a unique status: Turkey.


2016 ◽  
Vol 56 (6) ◽  
pp. 605-613 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Hodgson ◽  
Penelope Pitt ◽  
Sylvia Metcalfe ◽  
Jane Halliday ◽  
Melody Menezes ◽  
...  

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1994 ◽  
Vol 93 (6) ◽  
pp. 1010-1015
Author(s):  

Pediatricians may be called upon to counsel a family in which prenatal diagnosis is being considered or in which there is a fetus with a genetic disorder. In some settings, the pediatrician may be the primary resource for counseling the family. More frequently, counseling may already have been provided by a clinical geneticist and/or obstetrician. However, because of a previous relationship with the family, the pediatrician may be called upon to review this information and to assist the family in the decision-making process. The pediatrician should be familiar with the principles of prenatal genetic diagnosis and know how to apply them to specific problems in genetic counseling, diagnosis, and management in clinical practice. At the same time, pediatricians should be familiar with resources available in their region for obtaining information about whether and how a specific disorder can be diagnosed and when and where to refer patients for prenatal genetic diagnosis. The technology of prenatal diagnosis is changing rapidly, and genetic consultants can assist pediatricians in the appropriate utilization and interpretation of the diagnostic tests that are available.


2020 ◽  
pp. 096973302094575
Author(s):  
Ni Gong ◽  
Qianqian Du ◽  
Hongyu Lou ◽  
Yiheng Zhang ◽  
Hengying Fang ◽  
...  

Background: Independent decision-making is one of the basic rights of patients. However, in clinical practice, most older cancer patients’ treatment decisions are made by family members. Objective: This study attempted to analyze the treatment decision-making process and formation mechanism for older cancer patients within the special cultural context of Chinese medical practice. Method: A qualitative study was conducted. With the sample saturation principle, data collected by in-depth interviews with 17 family members and 12 patients were subjected to thematic analysis. Ethical considerations: The study was approved by the ethics committees of Sun Yat-sen University. All participants provided verbal informed consent after being told their rights of confidentiality, anonymity, and voluntary participation. They had the right to refuse to answer questions and could withdraw at any time. Results: Three themes emerged: (1) complex process; (2) transformation of family decision-making power; and (3) individual compromise. Family members inevitably had different opinions during the long process of treatment decision-making for older cancer patients. The direction of this process could be regarded as an extension of the family power relationship. The patient usually compromised the decision to survive, which was made by family members. Conclusion: This study describes the treatment decision-making process of older cancer patients in the context of Chinese culture. The reasons underlying this process are related to the views on life and death and family values. An individual is a part of the family, which is often seen as the minimal interpersonal unit in Chinese society. It is significant that while emphasizing patient autonomy in the decision-making process, health professionals should also pay attention to the important roles of culture and family.


2001 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 98-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Gagin ◽  
O. Oded ◽  
M. Cohen ◽  
J. Itskovitz

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fahimeh Ranjbar ◽  
Fatemeh Oskouie ◽  
Shahrzad Hashemi Dizaji ◽  
Maryam Gharacheh

Abstract Background: Women are more likely to be diagnosed with congenital anomalies. Following prenatal diagnosis of fetal abnormalities, women may be forced to make decisions about whether to continue a pregnancy with fetal abnormalities. This can be a dilemma for the women. The aim of the study was to explore women’s experiences of prenatal diagnosis of fetal abnormalities. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted in a referral women’s hospital in Tehran, Iran in 2018. Participants were a purposeful sample of 15 women with prenatal diagnosis of fetal abnormalities. Data were collected by individual, in-depth interviews. The conventional content analysis approach was used to analyze the data. Results: Two main themes “emotional suffering” and “decision-making challenge” were extracted from the participants’ experiences. Emotional suffering consisted of subthemes “sense of guilt”, “self-blame”, “questioning of God”, “commiseration” and “projection”. Decision making challenge included subthemes “distrust”, “possible cure”, “dark future”, “economic problems”, “stereotypical beliefs”, “coercion” and “lack of support”. Conclusions: The experience of prenatal diagnosis of fetal abnormalities was associated with emotional suffering and challenges in decision-making to continue or terminate the pregnancy. Strategies need to be employed to improve women’s autonomy in decision-making. Healthcare professionals should be trained in communication skills to provide appropriate counseling to support women with diagnosis of fetal anomalies.


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