Women's accounts of the physical sensation of chorionic villus sampling and amniocentesis: expectations and experience.
OBJECTIVE
to understand women's expectations and experience of discomfort during chorionic villus sampling (CVS) and amniocentesis, and relate them to aspects of clinical practice.


METHODS
thematic analysis of narrative interviews. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim, coded and analysed using computer-assisted qualitative data analysis software.


METHODS
sample recruited nationally for two wider studies of experiences of antenatal screening (n=47) and experiences of ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality (n=40). Of these, 31 women had experienced amniocentesis and/or CVS at least once.


RESULTS
most women found the procedures less painful than expected. A smaller group were shocked or surprised at the sensation, and were worried that they had jumped and that the needle might have damaged the baby. A few found it very painful, using vivid imagery of being stabbed or punctured. However, even those who found it worse than expected felt it was worth the pain to get a definite diagnosis. Women identified a range of factors affecting their experience, including levels of anxiety, prior experience or knowledge of the procedures, levels of information provided, trust in the skill of the operator, or reassurance and empathy of the staff involved.


CONCLUSIONS
the needs of a small minority of women who find CVS or amniocentesis shocking and/or painful may be overlooked. A review of pre-test information and procedures is recommended to ensure that women are better prepared for possible physical sensations during the procedures to address the needs of this minority.
Locock
Louise
L
DIPEx Research Group, Department of Primary Care, Old Rd Campus, University of Oxford, Headington, Oxford OX3 7LF, UK. louise.locock@dphpc.ox.ac.uk
Field
Kate
K
McPherson
Ann
A
Boyd
Patricia A
PA
D000649:Amniocentesis / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology*; D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology; D015193:Chorionic Villi Sampling / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D036301:Qualitative Research; D006113:United Kingdom