When fetal hydronephrosis is suspected antenatally--a qualitative study

Area of Science:

• Perinatal medicine
• Maternal-fetal medicine
• Fetal anomaly screening

Background:

• Fetal malformations detected via ultrasound can cause unexpected distress for expectant parents.
• Fetal hydronephrosis diagnosis presents a spectrum of severity, impacting neonatal outcomes.
• Prognostic uncertainty surrounding fetal anomalies complicates the parental experience.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate women's psychological and emotional responses to fetal hydronephrosis diagnoses.
• To understand the impact of prognostic uncertainty on pregnant women's experiences.
• To explore the need for tailored information and support during prenatal screening.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study involving interviews with ten mothers.
• Interviews conducted 6-12 months postpartum.
• Analysis of experiences related to suspected fetal hydronephrosis diagnosed between gestational weeks 18-20 using constant comparative analysis.

Main Results:

• Women described a "crisis" experience, balancing the need to know with questioning screening efficacy.
• Anxiety and suspense characterized pregnancies with suspected fetal anomalies.
• Participants reported difficulties understanding medical information and tended to suppress emotions, hoping for the best outcome.

Conclusions:

• Women experience significant worry regardless of suspected or severe fetal malformations.
• There is a clear need for individualized information and counseling for expectant parents.
• Enhanced support, including written resources and reliable online information, is recommended.