Abstract

This study examines women’s psychological responses to prenatal group genetic counseling, and to subsequent individualized risk counseling. All women ( N=123) aged 35 and older underwent nuchal translucency screening (NTS), a prenatal ultrasound screening test. After group counseling, decisional conflict decreased significantly among those reporting at baseline having made a decision about invasive testing ( t(222)=2.00, P=0.014) and for those who were uncertain ( t(222)=5.74, P<0.0005). After receiving NT-adjusted risks, decisional conflict decreased further for those uncertain about testing at baseline ( t(222)=4.64, P<0.0005). There was no change in risk perception and anxiety after group counseling. After NT-adjusted risks were communicated, risk perception decreased significantly ( t(230)=5.02, P<0.0005), as did anxiety ( t(115)=7.91, P<0.005). Despite reassuring NTS results, the uptake rate for prenatal invasive testing was 78.4%. Risk perception, anxiety, and decisional conflict decreased after individual counseling for reassuring NTS results, but the uptake of invasive testing remained high.

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