Negotiating risk and choice in multifetal pregnancies

Area of Science:

• Sociology of Health
• Reproductive Medicine
• Bioethics

Background:

• Risk assessment is integral to modern society, profoundly impacting healthcare decisions for childbearing individuals.
• Pregnancy and childbirth, especially multifetal gestations, are increasingly medicalized, intensifying the perception of risk.
• Societal expectations of 'good motherhood' intersect with medical information, shaping reproductive choices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how mothers of twins or triplets perceive fetal reduction or termination.
• To analyze the interplay between risk understanding, maternal ideology, and medical information in these decisions.
• To explore the concept of the 'sacred child' in the context of selective reduction.

Main Methods:

• Conducted semi-structured interviews with 41 mothers of twins or triplets.
• Analyzed qualitative data on perceptions of risk and reproductive decision-making.
• Theorized findings within frameworks of risk, female responsibilization, and selective reduction.

Main Results:

• Mothers' understanding of risk significantly influences their views on fetal reduction.
• The ideology of good motherhood plays a crucial role in decision-making processes.
• Physician-provided information is a key factor in shaping perceptions and choices regarding selective reduction.

Conclusions:

• Decisions regarding fetal reduction in multifetal pregnancies are complex, influenced by personal risk perception, societal expectations, and medical guidance.
• The concept of 'responsibilization' highlights how women are made accountable for reproductive outcomes.
• Further exploration of the 'sacred child' concept is warranted in the context of selective reduction in multifetal pregnancies.