Abstract
BackgroundEnabling women to make informed decisions is a key objective in the guidelines governing prenatal screening and diagnostics. Despite efforts to provide information, research shows that women’s choice of prenatal screening is often not based on informed decisions. The aim of this study was to investigate pregnant women’s perceptions of the use of an interactive web-based DA, developed to initiate a process of reflection and deliberate decision-making concerning screening and testing for fetal anomalies.MethodsA qualitative study was applied and individual interviews were conducted. Seventeen pregnant women attending antenatal healthcare in Uppsala County, Sweden, who had access to the decision aid were interviewed. Eleven opted to use the decision aid and six did not. Data were analysed by systematic text condensation.ResultsWomen appreciated the decision aid, as it was easily accessible; moreover, they emphasised the importance of a reliable source. It helped them to clarify their own standpoints and engaged their partner in the decision-making process. Women described the decision aid as enhancing their awareness that participating in prenatal screening and diagnostics was a conscious choice. Those who chose not to use the web-based decision aid when offered reported that they already had sufficient knowledge.ConclusionsThe decision aid was able to initiate a process of deliberate decision-making in pregnant women as a result of their interaction with the tool. Access to a web-based decision aid tool can be valuable to expectant parents in making quality decisions regarding screening for fetal anomalies.
Highlights
Enabling women to make informed decisions is a key objective in the guidelines governing prenatal screening and diagnostics
Three themes describe women’s views and experiences of using the web-based decision aid (DA): ‘Appealing format’, referring to how women perceived the format and content of the DA; ‘New information was received and incorporated with earlier understanding’, relating to how women interacted with the DA; and ‘Clarified my own standpoint’, relating to women’s increased awareness of the conscious choice it entails to take part in fetal diagnostics
The women appreciated that the information in the DA was brief, but clearly described, was accessible on the Internet and that it came from a reliable source
Summary
The concept of pregnancy as a natural state [1], is competing with the diametrically opposed discourse of pregnancy as being a state of risk [2], where medical technology is Enabling women to make informed decisions is a key objective in the guidelines governing prenatal screening and diagnostics. This implies a decision that is based on relevant knowledge, is consistent with the decisionmaker’s own values, and the ability of the person to act. There is significant risk that women undergoing routine prenatal screening and testing are making uninformed choices due to their lack of active reflection and deliberate decision-making regarding their participation
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