Women's experiences when ultrasound examinations give unexpected findings in the second trimester |
| |
| Authors: | Eva Sommerseth Johanne Sundby |
| |
| Institution: | 1. Faculty of Health Sciences, Vestfold University College, Postbox 2243, 3103 Tønsberg, Norway;2. Institute of General Practice and Community Medicine, Section for International Health, University of Oslo, Postboks 1130 Blindern, N-0318 Oslo, Norway;1. Centre for Health and Social Care Research, Birmingham City University, Westbourne Rd, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 3TN, United Kingdom;2. Birmingham Women''s Health Care NHS Foundation Trust, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TG, United Kingdom;3. Centre for Women''s & Children''s Health, School of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom;1. University of Iceland, Faculty of Nursing, Department of Midwifery, Iceland;2. Directorate of Health, Iceland;1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Mennonite Christian Hospital, Hualien, Taiwan;2. Asian Pacific Counseling and Treatment Centers, Los Angeles, CA, USA;1. Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia;2. Genetics Education and Health Research, Murdoch Children''s Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia;1. Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden;2. Karolinska University Hospital, Solna, Sweden;3. Sophiahemmet University College, Stockholm, Sweden;4. Wessel MediConsult AB, Ultragyn I Sverige AB, Stockholm, Sweden |
| |
| Abstract: | BackgroundIn Norway pregnant women who are not regarded to be in a risk group are offered one routine ultrasound around the 18th week of pregnancy. If serious abnormalities are diagnosed, the women may apply for a termination.Research QuestionThe aim of this study was to describe and understand some pregnant women's thoughts, feelings and dilemmas of choice when unexpected findings were diagnosed after a routine ultrasound examination.MethodsThis study was based on 22 semi-structured life world interviews. The women interviewed were informed of unexpected findings after undergoing routine ultrasound examinations around the 18th week of pregnancy. The analysis of the data was inspired by phenomenological research and followed the meaning condensation approach described by Kvale (1).ResultsThe informants’ experiences are presented by showing how they described shifts between juxtaposed emotional states: hope–acceptance, distancing–denial and grief–guilt. All of the informants described these swings between different emotions as a state of continuous chaos.DiscussionThe discovery of abnormality in a wanted child at a late stage of pregnancy can evoke an emotional crisis for women. All the informants in this study described swings between different emotions as being in a state of continuous chaos. The women had to make difficult choices regarding their own future and that of their child.ConclusionEliminating the anxiety and anguish experienced by women following a diagnosis of fetal abnormality is impossible. It must be possible, however, to mitigate their distress. Further research should develop methods to prepare women for coping in crises like these. |
| |
| Keywords: | |
| 本文献已被 ScienceDirect 等数据库收录！ |
|
