Information-sharing among couples considering multifetal pregnancy reduction.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the information-sharing strategies of couples considering fetal reduction, and the impact of these strategies on the chances of encountering hostility in their social networks.


METHODS
Cross-sectional design of semistructured qualitative interviews, coded with respect to sharing strategies and level of personally directed hostility encountered.


METHODS
Multiple Pregnancy Management Program, Comprehensive Genetics, New York, New York.


METHODS
Fifty women and their partners who were making a first visit to our maternal-fetal management facility, in order to consider the possibility of multifetal reduction as a pregnancy-management strategy.


METHODS
Development of information-sharing strategies, and the chances of encountering personally directed hostility regarding multifetal reduction associated with more and less selective strategies.


RESULTS
Four information-sharing strategies emerged from the analysis. Two of these strategies were relatively open (extended network, and both parents). Two other strategies were relatively selective (qualified family and friends, and defended relationship). The selective strategies were significantly less likely to encounter to encounter personally directed hostility (odds ratio, 3.88; 95% confidence intervals, 0.87-17.30).


CONCLUSIONS
Selective sharing of information for couples considering multifetal prgnancy reduction is a potentially useful strategy for moderating potentially stressful relationships in their social networks. Clinics should find a way of integrating the discussion of selective sharing into their clinic's cultural repertoire of patient-support services.
Britt
David W
DW
Fetal Medicine Foundation of America, New York, USA.
Evans
Mark I
MI
D003142:Communication; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005307:Fertilization in Vitro; D006791:Hostility; D006801:Humans; D007406:Interview, Psychological; D008297:Male; D010062:Ovulation Induction; D011247:Pregnancy; D018607:Pregnancy Reduction, Multifetal / Q000523:psychology*; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000517:prevention & control