Information for better or for worse: interviews with parents when their foetus was found to have choroid plexus cysts at a routine second trimester ultrasound

Abstract

The aim of the study was to gain a theoretical understanding of parents' experiences and handling of the situation, when their foetus was diagnosed as having choroid plexus cysts, at a routine second trimester ultrasound examination. Nine couples and one mother were interviewed using one open question. Analysis method was Grounded Theory. The main concern was anxiety and the core category became need for knowledge. The other categories were frightening and confusing, judging risk and making a choice and comforting. The parents felt information during the ultrasound examination was insufficient. The time delay between the diagnosis and the doctor's appointment was also often criticized. Most of the parents in this study wanted to know what can be diagnosed by ultrasound, even if there is a small risk that the child will have a malformation or chromosome abnormality. However, when the diagnosis is made, they need adequate information, otherwise unnecessary anxiety arises. By giving sufficient information without days of delay, anxiety can hopefully be minimized. Some written information was also requested. It is of utmost importance that the staff use the same terminology and the correct name of the soft marker to the parents.

Did I really want to know this? Pregnant women's reaction to detection of a soft marker during ultrasound screening

“…Although soft markers are by no means diagnostic for chromosomal defects, the screening result can be both frightening and confusing [24][25][26] which our study also confirms. Anxiety, which is one of the most common experiences among pregnant women [24,[26][27][28], increases significantly after abnormal screening results [26], especially for those who had not perceived themselves as being at risk [29].…”

“…The uncertainty when waiting to meet the physician was the worst part according to the women and need for immediate counselling and support was obvious. As Larsson et al point out, it is possible that this could be provided if sonographers, irrespective of professions, are trained in how to explain these findings [25].…”

Prenatal Ultrasound Screening: False Positive Soft Markers May Alter Maternal Representations and Mother-Infant Interaction

“…The finding of a SM is also associated with psychological distress and anxiety [10]. However, providing reassurance during the ultrasound scan may reduce such anxiety [11], [12] and this is particularly important as maternal stress and anxiety during pregnancy have been associated with increased risk for depression [13]. Moreover, prenatal stress has been shown to impair the quality of the mother-infant interaction in both animal [14] and human studies [13], [15].…”

Prenatal ultrasound screening: False positive soft markers may alter maternal representations and mother-infant interaction

“…The finding of a SM is also associated with psychological distress and anxiety [10]. However, providing reassurance during the ultrasound scan may reduce such anxiety [11,12] and this is particularly important as maternal stress and anxiety during pregnancy have been associated with increased risk for depression [13]. Moreover, prenatal stress has been shown to impair the quality of the mother-infant interaction in both animal [14] and human studies [13,15].…”