Lafarge, Caroline ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2148-078X, Mitchell, Kathryn and Fox, Pauline ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0046-4940 (2014) Termination of pregnancy for fetal abnormality: a meta-ethnography of women's experiences. Reproductive Health Matters, 22 (44). pp. 191-201. ISSN 0968-8080

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Abstract

Due to technological advances in antenatal diagnosis of fetal abnormalities, more women face the prospect of terminating pregnancies on these grounds. Much existing research focuses on women’s psychological adaptation to this event. However, there is a lack of holistic understanding of women’s experiences. This article reports a systematic review of qualitative studies into women’s experiences of pregnancy termination for fetal abnormality. Eight databases were searched up to April 2014 for peer-reviewed studies, written in English, that reported primary or secondary data, used identifiable and interpretative qualitative methods, and offered a valuable contribution to the synthesis. Altogether, 4,281 records were screened; 14 met the inclusion criteria. The data were synthesised using meta-ethnography. Four themes were identified: a shattered world, losing and regaining control, the role of health professionals and the power of cultures. Pregnancy termination for fetal abnormality can be considered as a traumatic event that women experience as individuals, in their contact with the health professional community, and in the context of their politico-socio-legal environment. The range of emotions and experiences that pregnancy termination for fetal abnormality generates goes beyond the abortion paradigm and encompasses a bereavement model. Coordinated care pathways are needed that enable women to make their own decisions and receive supportive care

Item Type:	Article
Identifier:	10.1016/S0968-8080(14)44799-2
Additional Information:	© 2014. This manuscript version is made available under the CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0 license http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Keywords:	abortion; fetal abnormality; meta-ethnography; lived experience; systematic review; bereavement; Brazil; Finland; Israel; Sweden; UK; USA; Viet Nam
Subjects:	Psychology
Depositing User:	Caroline Lafarge
Date Deposited:	14 Mar 2016 11:43
Last Modified:	06 Feb 2024 15:44
URI:	https://repository.uwl.ac.uk/id/eprint/1767

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