[Psychological aspects of pregnancy and prenatal diagnostics]

Pregnancy is an extraordinary event with an impact on family life and demands a process of adaptation for the future parents. Diagnostic, as well as the therapeutic developments of prenatal diagnosis have resulted in great technical advances in the medical attendance of pregnant women in the past twenty years. Beside the medical aspects, the psychological impact on a pregnant woman and the father-to-be has to be taken into meticulous consideration.

The expectations of prenatal diagnostics are focused towards a reducing an uncertainty concerning the pregnancy. Most pregnant women who decide to undergo prenatal diagnostics wish to confirm their vision of a healthy child or to exclude the fear that it could be unhealthy. By identifying and pointing out an unhindered foetal development, the pregnant women hope to gain security, clarity and conciliation for the course of their pregnancy. Positive implications--in particular of an ultrasound--on the firm relationship with the unborn child as well as the attitude to the pregnancy, are discussed.

Carefully preparation of the parents for the diagnostic procedures, especially where expectations, anxieties and uncertainties exist, is highly recommended.