title: Pregnant women's experiences, needs, and preferences regarding information about malformations detected by ultrasound scan.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the study was to explore pregnant women's experiences of received information in relation to fetal malformation detected on ultrasound.
  
  
  METHODS
  An exploratory descriptive design was used. Semi-structured interviews with women who continued their pregnancy and women who chose to terminate were audiotaped, the information pathway described, and the text subjected to qualitative content analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most of the women who expected a baby with an abnormality experienced the information given as insufficient, often misleading, conflicting, or incoherent, and sometimes negative. Important factors for interaction between women and caregivers were timing, duration, and manner of the initial dialog and ongoing support. Positive interactions improved the women's ability to understand the information, fostered feelings of trust and safety which reduced their anxiety.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Women expressed dissatisfaction both regarding the care-givers' methods of giving information and apply for information from different specialists and continuity. The study highlights important factors which may be helpful to the professionals for improving the information to this vulnerable group of women.
authors.affiliation: Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, SE-17176 Solna Stockholm, Sweden. nina.asplin@ki.se
authors.forename: Nina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Asplin
authors.forename: Hans
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wessel
authors.forename: Lena
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Marions
authors.forename: Susanne
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Georgsson Öhman
mesh_terms: D000025:Abortion, Eugenic; D000328:Adult; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004645:Empathy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008880:Midwifery; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D057240:Patient Preference; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011247:Pregnancy; D011262:Pregnancy Trimester, Second; D037841:Pregnant People / Q000523:psychology*; D011369:Professional-Patient Relations; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal