Jan Hodgson
The University of Melbourne, Australia
Title: Are we meeting couples’ needs following prenatal diagnosis of a fetal abnormality? Findings from Prenatal Testing: A Longitudinal Study (PeTALS)
Biography
Biography: Jan Hodgson
Abstract
Background: The PeTALS project aims to explore the psychosocial impact of prenatal diagnosis and identify professional and social supports that are utilized and needed. Method: A longitudinal case study approach is being used at 3 Victorian sites to collect questionnaire and qualitative data from women and men at 3 different time-points – 6 weeks post definitive diagnosis of fetal abnormality, 6-9 months later, and 2 years post-diagnosis. Results: Over 90 individuals have been interviewed at the first time-point, regarding their experience of receiving a prenatal diagnosis. Parents commonly experienced significant grief and overwhelming sadness; many described intense feelings of isolation. Those choosing to have an abortion frequently described feeling negatively ‘judged’. Access to abortion, levels of support and the perceived quality of support varied both within and across the sites. Conclusions: Following prenatal diagnosis, women and men describe variable and sometimes inadequate levels of follow-up bereavement care and support. The expanding scope of prenatal testing means couples are increasingly faced with complex choices. Providing prenatal testing in the absence of a full range of supportive options may be considered unethical.