Decision making in pregnancy
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A qualitative study: Exploring parents’ experiences of decision-making about pregnancies subsequent to a pregnancy affected by foetal anomaly
IRAS ID
350982
Contact name
Linden Stocker
Contact email
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 25 days
Research summary
In the UK, pregnant women are offered ultrasound scans at around 20 weeks of pregnancy to check for any health problems with their fetus. Usually this is a happy time. However, this scan can sometimes identify problems with the baby. This allows doctors to begin to plan how to look after the baby but can be a shock for parents. One problem that can be seen at the 20-week scan is a severe foetal abnormality. Approximately 5% of all pregnancies result in a positive screen for foetal abnormality. To date, research in this area has been predominantly surrounding the experiences and decision-making of parents during a pregnancy affected by foetal anomaly.
This research project aims to explore parents’ experiences of decision-making about pregnancies following a pregnancy affected by foetal abnormality. The research will examine their experience of decision making with regards to family's current pregnancy, by answering the following questions:
- How do parents navigate emotional, medical, and social factors when deciding to conceive after a pregnancy affected by fetal abnormality?
- What influences parental decision-making during a subsequent pregnancy, and how do they reflect on their past experiences?
The research could contribute to the development of strategies to help parents cope when they experience psychological stressors in future unaffected pregnancies, having had a previously affected pregnancy.This research aims to recruit up to 20 mothers who are currently pregnant, with a baby that does not have a positive screen for foetal abnormality, but previously have experienced a pregnancy affected by a positive screen for foetal abnormality. The project is funded by the University of Southampton as part of the researchers work towards a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology.
REC name
South West - Frenchay Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
25/SW/0158
Date of REC Opinion
22 Dec 2025
REC opinion
Unfavourable Opinion