Latinas, Amniocentesis and the Discourse of Choice

Little attention has been paid to the impact of theincreasingly routine use of fetal diagnosis on howU.S. minority women experience their pregnancies anddecide whether to have their fetuses tested. Usingnarrative analysis, we offer the account of one Latinawho, despite considerable turmoil, ultimately acceptedan offer of amniocentesis. We describe her reasoningin choosing a course of action. Data from interviewswith 147 Latinas who were faced with the same decisionare used to contextualize the case study material. Weseek to illuminate how a blending of Mexican andEuropean American cultural influences helped shape thewoman's experience and define the dilemma she facedwhen she learned her fetus might be born with a graveor incurable condition because she was ideologicallyopposed to abortion.