Dealing with the prenatal diagnosis of clefting: a parent's perspective.
OBJECTIVE
Prenatal testing and information is available on an increasing basis for a variety of reasons. There are conflicting standards of care in the delivery of this type of evaluation and even more confusion around access to such services. As physicians and patients evaluate which tests will generate useful information with acceptable levels of risk, the rules of the game constantly shift. Presenting the situation from the viewpoints of both a professional and a parent, issues revolving around uncertainty and reassurance are evaluated. A description of the personal experience of the impact of the discovery of a cleft prenatally is provided.


CONCLUSIONS
Finally, efforts are made to raise questions about our motivations behind conducting prenatal testing and also developing some suggestions about how to support families better in our regular clinical work. A challenge is made to providers and patients to do more work prior to examination to explore how the unexpected will be handled. The dilemma about how to facilitate informed consent through full disclosure without overwhelming the patient is also discussed.
Aspinall
Cassandra L
CL
University of Washington School of Social Work, Seattle, Washington, USA. caspin@chmc.org.
D001294:Attitude to Health; D002971:Cleft Lip / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003376:Counseling; D003657:Decision Making; D030881:Disclosure; D005195:Family Relations; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D007258:Informed Consent; D009042:Motivation; D016487:Parenting; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012944:Social Support