Parents’ Psychological Adaptation after Receiving a Fetal Diagnosis: A Systematic Review

Abstract

A fetal diagnosis places an unexpected psychological burden on parents and triggers a complex pregnancy experience. Parents who choose to continue the pregnancy have unique perspectives as they prepare for birth. It is crucial to understand these families’ experiences to inform their care and support. This qualitative systematic review explored the psychological adjustment of parents who continued gestation after they received a fetal diagnosis. A systematic database search was conducted with subsequent thematic analysis of fourteen included studies. Parents experienced intense initial emotional reactions to the diagnosis including shock and grief, followed by a complex processing period influenced by personal and social factors. The findings demonstrate a need for improved multidisciplinary parental support for families who receive a fetal diagnosis and add rationale for the addition of psychological services to the care teams of prospective parents.

Keywords: prenatal, fetal diagnosis, pregnancy, parents, emotions, process