[Typical counseling processes in prenatal diagnosis--an explorative study]

A qualitative study is presented, investigating the subjective experiences of counsellors in consulting pregnant women expecting a child with genetic defects. The aim of the study was an exploration of consultation criteria that were used in these consultations, to systematically expand the currently used theoretical based consultation concepts by the perspectives of those involved in the consultation process. The study is part of a collaborative study, dealing with the development of consultation criteria for pregnant women. Data consist of extensive written consultation transcripts, describing typical case setting at different time points during a consultation process. We used a content-analytical approach to systematically categorize the variety of single topics mentioned in these transcripts. Typical consultation settings at different time points during consultation were compared. Data are presented using illustrated text material.