The experiences of pregnant women diagnosed with a fetal abnormality

Prenatal diagnosis

This paper first focuses on outlining currently available knowledge throughout the world regarding women who decide to continue with their pregnancy knowing that there will be something abnormal about their child. Sec-ondly, it discusses making information applicable to the existing issues available to midwives who deal with those women. Finally, the paper looks at coming up with a future agenda for improving the care environment for those women, to be worked on in clinical practice. Published literature concerning those women who choose to carry on a pregnancy after having been informed of a fetal abnormality was searched for using the following sources: PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Ichu-shi WEB. A search was made for English language articles published in any country between 1998 and 2009, using the keywords "prenatal diagnosis" and "fetal abnormality". We considered each article's targets, research method and results in order to analyze how fetal diagnoses and mothers' experiences influence the framing of psychological experiences. In reviewing twelve domestic and international journal articles, five themes were highlighted that constitute pregnant women's experiences carrying a child with a congenital abnormality, namely: grief, attachment, dilemma, uncertainty and isolation. These themes became clear that the experiences of those women carrying a child with a known congenital abnormality cannot be described in any one way, as there are so many constituent factors to take into account. These themes can be helpful in understanding mothers' experiences. However, more studies need to be done in order to explore how they influence mothers' relationship with, and involvement in society. Understanding mothers' experiences from both psychological and social perspectives can help nurses improve their clinical practice, both in delivering the child and in caring for the mother. Future studies will yield further useful information, to help health-care professionals assist mothers, children, and families cope with any challenge they may face.