Conditions for autonomous reproductive decision-making in prenatal screening: A mixed methods study

Area of Science:

• Reproductive Health
• Medical Ethics
• Fetal Medicine

Background:

• Ensuring pregnant women can make autonomous decisions about prenatal screening is crucial.
• Factors influencing autonomous decision-making in prenatal screening remain unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify conditions important for autonomous reproductive decision-making in prenatal screening.
• To assess if these conditions are met in practice from women's perspectives.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods study in the Netherlands (2016-2017).
• Interviews with 16 professional experts and 19 pregnant women.
• Questionnaire assessing 200 pregnant women's experiences.

Main Results:

• Experts emphasized information provision and rational decision-making.
• Women's information needs varied based on screening decisions.
• Women prioritized partner discussion and consensus.
• Key unmet needs included information on miscarriage risk and avoiding directed decision-making.

Conclusions:

• Partner discussion and consensus are vital for autonomous prenatal screening decisions.
• Improving information on test safety and non-directed care are key areas for enhancement in prenatal practices.