A qualitative exploration of parental decision-making following prenatal diagnosis

Abstract

This thesis explored the experiences of parents faced with difficult decisions regarding the continuation of pregnancy after fetal abnormality was identified. The thesis utilised qualitative methodology and is presented as three independent papers. Paper 1 is a meta-synthesis of 22 papers, which explored the decision-making process of parents following a lethal or life-limiting prenatal diagnosis. This meta- synthesis highlighted three themes describing the importance of parents’ perception of the fetus and the process of decision-making based on moral beliefs and past- experience. This meta-synthesis identified that some parents also considered hope and the impact of quality of life for themselves and their unborn child when making their decisions. Increasing understanding of these factors will enable maternal healthcare teams to facilitate supported decision-making. Paper 2, an exploration of women’s experiences following a prenatal diagnosis of fetal growth restriction, was guided by interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). This study, aimed to understand six women’s decision-making processes and experiences, and identified three themes of helpful and unhelpful care, an understanding of the situation and decision-making, and also their sense of parental responsibility. The findings will enable maternal healthcare teams to better support women following diagnosis. The third paper is a critical reflection of the author’s personal experience of conducting this doctoral level research project, utilising IPA as a methodology, and conducting interviews which were often emotive for participants. The author reflected on their hope of providing data which would propose ways of better supporting parents in similar situations in the future.

Date of Award	31 Dec 2018
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	The University of Manchester
Supervisor	Anja Wittkowski (Supervisor) & Debbie Smith (Supervisor)