Prenatal Screening for Down's Syndrome: Parent and Healthcare Practitioner Experiences

Abstract

AbstractThis article reviews research on both parent and healthcare practitioner experiences of prenatal screening for Down's syndrome. Whilst studies on Down's syndrome screening are broad in scope and diverge in theoretical and epistemological foundations, their core focus can be classified into two main and intertwining categories: (i) the decision‐making practices of expectant parents and why they do/do not participate in screening and (ii) the interactions between parents and practitioners, particularly the discrepancies of knowledge and the pursuit of “informed choice” and “non‐directive care.” To conclude, I highlight current knowledge gaps and the areas of substantial interest for future critical sociological engagements.