Family-centered care in the context of fetal abnormality.

Full Abstract

Women confronted with prenatal diagnosis of fetal abnormality face emotionally challenging choice options and considerable uncertainty regarding impact of choice on their families. Prenatal diagnosis of fetal abnormality presents childbearing women with difficult choices, such as continuation of pregnancy with no intervention, abortion, and, in selected cases, experimental fetal therapy. Regardless of their decision, it is a time of transition marked by grief and loss. The experience women and families have with the option chosen has an impact on their short- and long-term well-being. Healthcare providers are paramount in facilitating this transitional time in supporting family needs.

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Author information

Author/s: Howard, Elisabeth D (ED);

Affiliation: Nurse Midwifery Section, Brown Medical School, Women & Infants' Hospital of Rhode Island, 02905, USA. ehoward(-atsign-)wihri.org

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Journal Article; Review

Journal: The Journal of perinatal & neonatal nursing (J Perinat Neonatal Nurs), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: -2006 Jul-Sep; vol 20 (issue 3) : pp 237-42

Dates: Created 2006/08/17; Completed 2006/12/14; Revised 2007/11/15;

PMID: 16915056, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Abortion, Induced - nursing
Congenital Abnormalities - diagnosis; nursing; surgery
Decision Making
Family Nursing
Female

Fetal Diseases - diagnosis; nursing; surgery
Humans
Palliative Care
Pregnancy
Prenatal Diagnosis - nursing

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