Latinas, amniocentesis and the discourse of choice.
Little attention has been paid to the impact of the increasingly routine use of fetal diagnosis on how U.S. minority women experience their pregnancies and decide whether to have their fetuses tested. Using narrative analysis, we offer the account of one Latina who, despite considerable turmoil, ultimately accepted an offer of amniocentesis. We describe her reasoning in choosing a course of action. Data from interviews with 147 Latinas who were faced with the same decision are used to contextualize the case study material. We seek to illuminate how a blending of Mexican and European American cultural influences helped shape the woman's experience and define the dilemma she faced when she learned her fetus might be born with a grave or incurable condition because she was ideologically opposed to abortion.
Browner
C H
CH
Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles 90024-1759, USA. browner@ucla.edu
Preloran
H M
HM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000649:Amniocentesis / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002140:California; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D005260:Female; D005817:Genetic Counseling / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006630:Hispanic or Latino / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000208:ethnology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012649:Self Concept; D014463:Ultrasonography