Prenatal Diagnosis and Psychosocial Support: A Study about the Impact of Psychosocial Support on Women’s Wellbeing Following an Adverse Prenatal Diagnosis

Abstract

Prenatal diagnosis testing, whether a woman chooses to terminate her pregnancy or carry to term after an adverse prenatal diagnosis, comes with long term, complex implications which include psychiatric, emotional and social problems (Black & Sandelowski, 2010; Fonseca, Nazare & Canavarro, 2012; Howard, 2006, Korenromp, Christiaens, Bout, Mulder, Hunfeld & Bilardo, 2005; Lathrop & VandeVuss, 2011a; Taylor, 1998). A variety of strategies are utilised by professionals to support women prior to the decision-making process, at the point of decision-making and after the termination or birth following an adverse prenatal diagnosis. Understanding the impact of specific types of support has been limited. Additionally, it appears that attempts to develop regulatory standards and models for adequate psychosocial support have failed to date (Abramsky, 2003; Howard, 2006; Shiloh, 1996). This study focused on the impacts of particular types of support (counselling, case management, support groups, friends/family and/or written resources) on the anxiety, guilt and decisional conflict of women after a prenatal diagnosis.