Psychological analysis of women’s experiences of late pregnancy termination for fetal anomaly

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Abstract

AIM: The aim of this study was to conduct a psychological analysis and summarize information on women’s experiences of late pregnancy termination for fetal anomaly.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 105 patients aged 19 to 43 years who experienced late pregnancy termination for fetal anomaly after 22 weeks of gestation and who received psychological support during their stay in the maternity hospital. The method of data collection involved structured clinical interview with subsequent analysis and summarizing the information received. The data obtained were compared with the literature, thus leading to a conclusion about long-term psychological consequences after late pregnancy termination.

RESULTS: The general psychological patterns of women’s experiencing of several consequential steps of late pregnancy termination were revealed: during the primary diagnosis, in the decision-making process, during the feticide procedure, during delivery, and in the postpartum period. The tasks of psychological support were formulated; the types of reasons for termination decision were described; the key influence of the psychological status of the fetus on the subjective character of experience was determined. The analysis of foreign issues was made and faraway traumatic consequences of late pregnancy termination for the woman and her family were depicted.

CONCLUSIONS: Late pregnancy termination is a traumatic choice for a woman and her family and it has medical, psychological, ethical and legal contexts. Psychological maintenance can optimize the patient’s contact with the medical staff during her stay in the maternity hospital. Psychologically conceived experience ensure a constructive attitude towards the future pregnancy and its positive conditions.

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About the authors

Anton V. Mikhaylov

Research Institute of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductology named after D.O. Ott; Academician I.P. Pavlov First St. Petersburg State Medical University; North-Western State Medical University named after I.I. Mechnikov; Maternity Hospital No. 17

Author for correspondence.
Email: mav080960@gmail.com
ORCID iD: 0000-0002-0343-8820
Scopus Author ID: 18042427700

MD, Dr. Sci. (Med.), Professor

Russian Federation, Saint Petersburg

Yulia V. Zamanayeva

Maternity Hospital No. 17

Email: jzamanaeva@mail.ru

Cand. Sci. (Psychol.)

Russian Federation, Saint Petersburg

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СМИ зарегистрировано Федеральной службой по надзору в сфере связи, информационных технологий и массовых коммуникаций (Роскомнадзор).
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