Petals: a Longitudinal Study Exploring Women’s Experiences Following a Prenatal Diagnosis of Foetal Abnormality
Advances in genetic testing and prenatal screening has greatly improved our ability to detect foetal abnormalities during pregnancy. In Australia, approximately 4% of babies are born with a foetal abnormality and many of these were diagnosed during pregnancy. The diagnosis of a foetal abnormality during pregnancy can be understandably very distressing for parents.
Our research consistently strives to improve the supportive care of pregnant women, particularly when there has been the diagnosis of a fetal abnormality. Our multidisciplinary team will use a collaborative approach to understand how pregnant women are best cared for following the diagnosis of a foetal abnormality, and to develop appropriate evidence-based models of supportive care. This study will be the first in Australia to investigate women’s experiences of a prenatal diagnosis of foetal abnormality and will specifically examine the short and longer term psychosocial impacts on women, as well as identify the social and professional supports utilised and needed by women.
This project will provide much-needed information in this under-researched field, and will facilitate better social and clinical care of women diagnosed with a foetal abnormality during pregnancy.