Parents' experiences of the information provided at the antenatal clinic regarding foetal diagnostics - A qualitative interview study

Objective: This study aimed to examine the pregnant women's and their partner's experience of the information given at the antenatal clinic regarding screening methods. Methods: A qualitative interview study was conducted in the Gothenburg area in Sweden. Ten women and seven partners expecting their first child were interviewed adjacent to the second-trimester ultrasound examination. The data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. Results: The findings present an overall theme, three main categories, and ten subcategories. The overall theme showed a nonhomogeneous and individually based picture concerning the meaning and purpose of the methods, need for improvement of information, parents own information seeking, and the encounter with the midwife was also experienced as an influential encounter. The main categories show that diversity relates to the level of information given, voluntariness, the possibility of abnormal findings, and varying needs to thorough information and pre-existing knowledge. The midwifes impact was related to attitude, openness for questions, time for explanations, and the balance between providing enough information to support without worrying the parents. Conclusions: Although previous research has pointed out a decade ago that information regarding foetal diagnostics is lacking, this study shows that these shortcomings still exist and that improvement is needed. The given information should be explicit concerning the purpose, limitations, and voluntariness of prenatal testing. Sufficient time for questions and discussion is as important as considering the parents' pre-existing knowledge, individual thoughts or questions, and a neutral attitude from the midwife is desirable.