Parents' dilemmas and decision making on the outcome of pregnancy after prenatal diagnoses of fetal anomalies

Abstract

During the last decades prenatal screening and diagnostic methods have significantly improved and the number of fetal disorders that can be detected in all stages of pregnancy has increased. Determining the presence of certain diseases, chromosome disorders or structural anomalies of the fetus puts parents in a situation of deciding about the continuation or termination of pregnancy. The aim of this paper is to, through review of available literature, show the complexity of the decision-making process to prospective parents about the pregnancy outcome in the situation of prenatal diagnosis of fetal anomalies, as well as factors affecting the nature of a final decision. Study results show that a multitude of external and internal factors have an impact on the nature of this decision. Some of the most prominent internal factors relate to the characteristics of the pregnant women themselves (age, gestational age) and the nature of the anomaly (type and severity of the diagnosis and prognosis). The influence of external factors is determined at narrow social (interpersonal) plan (partner, family, counseling by professionals), and the level of broader social system (legislation, dominant religion, cultural values). The final decision on abortion is mostly a result of the analysis and interaction of several factors. Bearing in mind that the entire process, from the announcement of the diagnosis until making a decision can be very complex, strongly emotionally colored, under the influence of many factors and have a subsequent impact on the mental health of women and their partners, it is necessary to provide mechanisms to adequate informing and providing support for future parents in this period.