Pregnancy and postpartum following a prenatal diagnosis of fetal thoracoabdominal malformation: the parental perspective

J Pediatr Surg. 2014 Feb;49(2):353-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2013.07.025.

Abstract

Purpose: The study's aim was to evaluate how information related to a prenatal diagnosis of fetal malformation could modify parenthood experience descriptions during pregnancy and after the child's birth.

Methods: A longitudinal case-control clinical study was conducted. Data on parenthood experience descriptions collected using a validated semantic differential technique during pregnancy and after the child's birth were compared between seven couples of parents receiving a prenatal diagnosis of fetal malformation and seven couples without any fetal diagnosis.

Results: Our results show that during pregnancy parents in the clinical group describe themselves as more fragile, passive, and timid [p=0.007] than those in the control group. On the other hand, after the child's birth, there are no significant differences between groups.

Conclusions: Data are discussed with reference to better knowledge of the psychological dynamics involved in becoming a parent and to rational planning of support for parents receiving a diagnosis of fetal malformation.

Keywords: Early post partum surgery; Fetal thoracoabdominal malformation; Parental experience; Pregnancy; Prenatal diagnosis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Counseling
  • Cystic Adenomatoid Malformation of Lung, Congenital / diagnostic imaging
  • Cystic Adenomatoid Malformation of Lung, Congenital / psychology*
  • Cystic Adenomatoid Malformation of Lung, Congenital / surgery
  • Female
  • Hernia, Diaphragmatic / diagnostic imaging
  • Hernia, Diaphragmatic / psychology
  • Hernia, Diaphragmatic / surgery
  • Hernias, Diaphragmatic, Congenital*
  • Humans
  • Hydronephrosis
  • Kidney Diseases / congenital*
  • Kidney Diseases / diagnostic imaging
  • Kidney Diseases / psychology
  • Kidney Diseases / surgery
  • Longitudinal Studies
  • Male
  • Musculoskeletal Abnormalities / diagnostic imaging
  • Musculoskeletal Abnormalities / psychology*
  • Musculoskeletal Abnormalities / surgery
  • Parents / psychology*
  • Pregnancy
  • Psychological Tests
  • Stress, Psychological / psychology*
  • Ultrasonography, Prenatal*
  • Urogenital Abnormalities / diagnostic imaging
  • Urogenital Abnormalities / psychology*
  • Urogenital Abnormalities / surgery