A prospective study on parental coping 4 months after termination of pregnancy for fetal anomalies

Objective To identify short‐term factors influencing psychological outcome of termination of pregnancy for fetal anomaly, in order to define those patients most vulnerable to psychopathology. Study Design A prospective cohort of 217 women and 169 men completed standardized questionnaires 4 months af...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Prenatal diagnosis 2007-08, Vol.27 (8), p.709-716
Main Authors: Korenromp, M. J., Page-Christiaens, G. C. M. L., van den Bout, J., Mulder, E. J. H., Hunfeld, J. A. M., Potters, C. M. A. A., Erwich, J. J. H. M., van Binsbergen, C. J. M., Brons, J. T. J., Beekhuis, J. R., Omtzigt, A. W. J., Visser, G. H. A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Abortion, Eugenic - psychology
Adaptation, Psychological
Biological and medical sciences
Cohort Studies
Depression - diagnosis
Depression - etiology
Depression - psychology
Female
fetal anomalies
Fetus - abnormalities
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
grief
Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics
Humans
Male
Management. Prenatal diagnosis
Medical sciences
Molecular and cellular biology
Parents - psychology
posttraumatic stress (PST)
pregnancy termination
Pregnancy. Fetus. Placenta
Prospective Studies
psychological consequences
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic - diagnosis
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic - etiology
Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic - psychology
Surveys and Questionnaires
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Summary:Objective To identify short‐term factors influencing psychological outcome of termination of pregnancy for fetal anomaly, in order to define those patients most vulnerable to psychopathology. Study Design A prospective cohort of 217 women and 169 men completed standardized questionnaires 4 months after termination. Psychological adjustment was measured by the Inventory of Complicated Grief (ICG), the Impact of Event Scale (IES), the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS), and the Symptom Checklist‐90 (SCL‐90). Results Women and men showed high levels of posttraumatic stress (PTS) symptoms (44 and 22%, respectively) and symptoms of depression (28 and 16%, respectively). Determinants of adverse psychological outcome were the following: high level of doubt in the decision period, inadequate partner support, low self‐efficacy, lower parental age, being religious, and advanced gestational age. Whether the condition was Down syndrome or another disability was irrelevant to the outcome. Termination did not have an important effect on future reproductive intentions. Only 2% of women and less than 1% of men regretted the decision to terminate. Conclusion Termination of pregnancy (TOP) for fetal anomaly affects parents deeply. Four months after termination a considerable part still suffers from posttraumatic stress symptoms and depressive feelings. Patients who are at high risk could benefit from intensified support. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
ISSN:0197-3851
1097-0223
DOI:10.1002/pd.1763