Preparing Heart and Mind for Becoming a Parent Following a Diagnosis of Fetal Anomaly

Abstract

Using a cross-sectional, grounded dimensional analysis study design, we collected demographic and health information and conducted telephone interviews with 37 expectant parents of 26 fetuses within 25 families. We describe a theoretical model with a core process of preparing heart and mind for becoming a parent following a diagnosis of fetal anomaly. The process of preparing was influenced by fetal and future child health, experiences of previous loss, and social interactions within both new and familiar settings. Expectant parents reported varying turning points and strategies associated with three distinct trajectories of relating to the fetus or "baby" yet to be born. These relational trajectories include claiming the child as one's own, delaying the connection to the fetus, and doing the routine of pregnancy. With the findings presented in this article, we extend the understanding of how parenting develops during pregnancy in the context of a fetal anomaly.

Parenting stress among parents of children with congenital diaphragmatic hernia

“…A detection of a fetal anomaly often leads to acute psychological parental distress, where the severity of the anomaly, gestational age, and diagnostic and prognostic ambiguity are strong predictors of severe psychological distress [18]. A healthy transition to parenthood is influenced by fetal and future child health, and how information about a fetal anomaly during counseling is presented has a great importance in the relationship between the parent and the baby [19]. …”

An exploration of co‐parenting in the context of caring for a child prenatally diagnosed and born with a complex health condition

“…Following foetal anomaly diagnoses, most mothers and fathers described taking on parenting before the birth of the infant. This is earlier than the typical theoretical stages of anticipated role and identity changes for parenting a healthy infant (Demick, ; McKechnie, ; McKechnie, Tluczek, et al., ). Co‐parenting also appeared to develop earlier than commonly described for a normative transition to parenthood (Beaton et al., ).…”

“…When expecting a child with a complex health condition such as a structural anomaly of the heart, abdominal organs, or other congenital/genetic conditions, parents experience an altered transition to parenthood and face unpredictable and unpracticed caregiving (McKechnie, Pridham, & Tluczek, ; McKechnie, Tluczek, & Pridham, ). These couples are at risk for strained relationships and dysfunctional family life (Corman & Kaestner, ; Mailick Seltzer, Greenberg, Floyd, Pettee, & Hong, ; Mauldon, ; Reichman, Corman, & Noonan, ).…”

“…| 351 could make a difference for both physical and mental health outcomes (Skari et al, 2006;Skreden et al, 2010 & Rempel, 2008;Brosig, Whitstone, Frommelt, Frisbee, & Leuthner, 2007;Hedrick, 2005;McKechnie, 2013;McKechnie, Johnson, Baker, Docherty, & Thoyre, 2015;McKechnie, Tluczek, et al, 2015;McKechnie et al, 2016;Sandelowski & Barroso, 2005), how co-parenting is established during such a highly distressing time is not clear. Information to guide health care providers' attention to and adequate support for, the individual parent's psychological needs and family functioning is lacking (Whiting, 2014).…”

Lifetime Impact of Congenital Heart Disease on a Family from the Perspective of a Third in Birth Order Sibling

“…Fetal intervention is a possibility for some lesions [36]. With fetal diagnosis, parents and their families are impacted by the transition of a new member into the family and the complexities of a critical health issue that must be addressed early in life [37]. In essence, they are trying to navigate the "emotional tightrope" of caregiving and parental transitions [38].…”