title: Pregnancy and postpartum following a prenatal diagnosis of fetal thoracoabdominal malformation: the parental perspective.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The study's aim was to evaluate how information related to a prenatal diagnosis of fetal malformation could modify parenthood experience descriptions during pregnancy and after the child's birth.
  
  
  METHODS
  A longitudinal case-control clinical study was conducted. Data on parenthood experience descriptions collected using a validated semantic differential technique during pregnancy and after the child's birth were compared between seven couples of parents receiving a prenatal diagnosis of fetal malformation and seven couples without any fetal diagnosis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our results show that during pregnancy parents in the clinical group describe themselves as more fragile, passive, and timid [p=0.007] than those in the control group. On the other hand, after the child's birth, there are no significant differences between groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Data are discussed with reference to better knowledge of the psychological dynamics involved in becoming a parent and to rational planning of support for parents receiving a diagnosis of fetal malformation.
authors: Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, Italy.
authors: Rosella
authors: R
authors: Giuliani
authors: Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, Italy.
authors: Antonella
authors: A
authors: Tripani
authors: Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, Italy. Electronic address: sandra.pellizzoni@gmail.com.
authors: Sandra
authors: S
authors: Pellizzoni
authors: Psychiatric Clinic Department of Medical, Surgical and Health Science University of Trieste, Italy.
authors: Andrea
authors: A
authors: Clarici
authors: Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, Italy.
authors: Isabella
authors: I
authors: Lonciari
authors: Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, Italy.
authors: Giuseppina
authors: G
authors: D'Ottavio
authors: Institute for Maternal and Child Health, IRCCS "Burlo Garofolo", Trieste, Italy.
authors: Jürgen
authors: J
authors: Schleef
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003376:Counseling; D015615:Cystic Adenomatoid Malformation of Lung, Congenital / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006548:Hernia, Diaphragmatic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery; D065630:Hernias, Diaphragmatic, Congenital; D006801:Humans; D006869:Hydronephrosis; D007674:Kidney Diseases / Q000151:congenital* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009139:Musculoskeletal Abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011581:Psychological Tests; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology*; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal; D014564:Urogenital Abnormalities / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery
keywords: Early post partum surgery; Fetal thoracoabdominal malformation; Parental experience; Pregnancy; Prenatal diagnosis