Blakeley, Claire

Johnstone, Edward

Smith, Debbie M.

Wittkowski, Anja

English

The University of Manchester - Institutional Repository

The University of Manchester ResearchWomen’s psychological and emotional response to aprenatal diagnosis of fetal growth restrictionLink to publication record in Manchester Research ExplorerCitation for published version (APA):Blakeley, C., Smith, D. M., Johnstone, E., & Wittkowski, A. (2019). Women’s psychological and emotionalresponse to a prenatal diagnosis of fetal growth restriction. Poster session presented at British PsychologicalSociety Division of Clinical Psychology Annual Conference , Manchester, United Kingdom.Citing this paperPlease note that where the full-text provided on Manchester Research Explorer is the Author Accepted Manuscriptor Proof version this may differ from the final Published version. If citing, it is advised that you check and use thepublisher's definitive version.General rightsCopyright and moral rights for the publications made accessible in the Research Explorer are retained by theauthors and/or other copyright owners and it is a condition of accessing publications that users recognise andabide by the legal requirements associated with these rights.Takedown policyIf you believe that this document breaches copyright please refer to the University of Manchester’s TakedownProcedures [http://man.ac.uk/04Y6Bo] or contact uml.scholarlycommunications@manchester.ac.uk providingrelevant details, so we can investigate your claim.Download date:08. Jun. 2022Women’s psychological and emotional response to a prenatal diagnosis of fetal growth restriction Dr Claire Blakeley, Dr Debbie Smith, Dr Edward Johnstone & Dr Anja Wittkowski Contact: anja.wittkowski@manchester.ac.uk Objective • This study aimed to explore women’s psychological experiences following a prenatal diagnosis of fetal growth restriction (FGR), with eventual loss, and to gain insight into their decision-making process. • We hypothesised that further understanding of women’s decision making and experience would enable maternal healthcare teams, including obstetricians and midwifes, to better support women following diagnosis. Method • Qualitative face-to-face interviews with 6 women who had attended a specialist service following a prenatal diagnosis of FGR. • All women had lost their child due to FGR within 6-48 months of the study taking place. • Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis used to analyse the interview data. • Interviews lasted between 55-106 minutes. Findings Theme 1: A fine line between being supportive and unhelpful This theme highlighted women’s perception of care and information provided by their care teams, how they often sought privacy but also felt isolated from others, feared other’s understanding of their experience, and described some helpful strategies for coping. Theme 2: Understanding the situation and decision to be made  This theme described women’s experience of the ‘unknown’, their hope for a positive outcome and perception of their unborn or young child’s life as precious and longed for. They considered their unborn or very young child’s potential quality of life, and sought reassurance from others prior to their realisation of a likely negative outcome. Theme 3: Parental responsibility  This theme described women’s imagined futures and the connection they felt to their ‘parental role’ and their unborn or young child. They also reflected on how previous experiences had shaped their understanding. Clinical implications • Local and specialist maternal healthcare staff could provide clearer and more accessible information, forming an understanding of women’s personal history, and considering this when asking them to make decisions relating to the continuation of their pregnancy, or their unborn or young child’s care. • Specialist staff could facilitate connection to support groups and ensure a distinct separation of clinical appointments and research recruitment.  • Local staff could provide more attentive and person-centred care during appointments. “We paid for the gender scan, we knew he was a little boy... so he had a real identity when he  passed…” [P1]. Acknowledgements: We would like to thank the women who took part in this study as well as the research staff at St Mary’s Hospital. Women’s connection to their unborn child began before birth, often through ultrasound appointments where mothers were able to “see (their) baby on the screen” [P3] and “listen to the heart beat” [P3].  

Women’s psychological and emotional response to a prenatal diagnosis of fetal growth restriction

https://pure.manchester.ac.uk/ws/files/85438607/Claire_poster_SV_21.01.19.pdf

Women’s psychological and emotional response to a prenatal diagnosis of fetal growth restriction

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