Ambivalence toward undergoing invasive prenatal testing: an exploration of its origins.
OBJECTIVE
This study explores ambivalence toward undergoing amniocentesis among pregnant women with overall positive attitudes. Its novelty lies in the characterization of the type and origins of the ambivalence.


METHODS
Thirty-six women between 35 and 44 years of age were recruited from a US prenatal testing center to participate in structured telephone interviews.


RESULTS
Thirty women chose to undergo testing. Attitudes toward undergoing amniocentesis were generally positive, although all participants simultaneously described feeling ambivalent. The women desired the information that amniocentesis could provide yet did not want to place their fetus at risk. Participants cited religious, moral, ethical and intellectual values important in shaping their attitudes toward undergoing amniocentesis. Important referents such as partners, other pregnant women, family members and physicians influenced their decisions.


CONCLUSIONS
Tensions were evident among the intellectual, moral and spiritual values that contribute to ambivalence toward undergoing amniocentesis. Illuminating and discussing such tensions during the genetic counseling sessions prior to testing may resolve some of this ambivalence and thereby increase the quality of decisions women make.
Sapp
Julie Chevalier
JC
Genetic Diseases Research Branch, National Human Genome Research Institute, 10 Center Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. sappj@mail.nih.gov
Hull
Sara Chandros
SC
Duffer
Shelby
S
Zornetzer
Sarah
S
Sutton
Erica
E
Marteau
Theresa M
TM
Biesecker
Barbara Bowles
BB
D000328:Adult; D000649:Amniocentesis / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000523:psychology*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002755:Choice Behavior; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D011247:Pregnancy; D018570:Risk Assessment