![]() Elevated maternal psychological distress has been reported for severe and complex anomalies such as various congenital heart diseases, but also for abnormalities that are less severe and can be treated, such as cleft lip/palate. Indeed, the detection of a fetal anomaly in pregnancy has been associated with severe psychological distress in mothers ( Korenromp et al., 2005 Kaasen et al., 2010). However, in contrast to uncomplicated pregnancies, detection of a fetal anomaly during pregnancy could increase psychological distress in early gestation. (2017) found that after birth the prevalence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in normal pregnancies was 4%. ![]() In a systematic review, Dikmen-Yildiz et al. In pregnancies without fetal anomaly, psychological distress for both mothers and fathers has been shown to increase over the course of pregnancy, and to be at the highest around the time of birth ( Philpott et al., 2017). However, knowledge of carrying a fetus with a prenatally diagnosed anomaly may also cause acute psychological stress to the parents. For those who continue with their pregnancy, it has been emphasized that most couples consider it helpful to know the diagnosis in advance. The prognosis associated with these anomalies, however, may vary, and some mothers will have their pregnancy terminated following the detection of a fetal anomaly. In Norway, approximately 1200 babies per year are born after detection of a structural anomaly by ultrasound in pregnancy. This examination is attended by 98% of the pregnant population ( Reinar et al., 2008). In Norway, all pregnant women are offered one free ultrasound examination (anomaly scan) at around gestational week 18. Ultrasound examination is considered an important part of maternity care. A fetal anomaly can vary from minor malformations to severe conditions that may lead to death or stillbirth ( World Health Organisation, 2016). Expectant fathers scored higher on EPDS and IES than the comparison group in the acute phase after detection of fetal anomaly, thus there is impetus to provide psychological support for fathers, as well as mothers, at this difficult time.įetal anomaly is a genetic or physical condition that affects the embryo or fetus, and can be defined as structural or functional anomalies. Men in the study group and comparison group did not differ on perceived general health (GHQ: p = 0.864).Ĭonclusion: Results suggests that detection of a fetal anomaly has implications for paternal mental health during pregnancy. That is, men in the study group were higher on IES initially, but this effect decreased more in the study group than in the comparison group. There was also a main effect of time on IES scores, which decreased over time for both men in the study group and in the comparison group (η 2 = 0.32, p < 0.001). This effect was stronger in the study group, and differed from the comparison group (η 2 = 0.08, p < 0.001). Results from repeated measured ANOVA suggests that depression decreased over time among men in both groups (η 2 = 0.15, p < 0.001). We examined differences between the men in the study group ( N = 32) and a comparison group ( N = 83) on the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ), Impact of Event Scale (IES) and Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EDPS) across four time points in pregnancy. Participants were recruited when referred for an ultrasound examination conducted by a specialist in fetal medicine at Oslo University Hospital on suspicion of fetal malformation (study group). ![]() Methods and Results: This study is part of the SOFUS study, a prospective, longitudinal, observational study. Our aim was to longitudinally examine general health perceptions, social dysfunction and psychological distress in a subgroup of men where fetal anomaly was detected during pregnancy. However, to date no existing studies have examined how detection of a fetal anomaly emotionally affects the expectant fathers throughout the pregnancy. Most studies focus on maternal stress, yet fathers are often present at the ultrasound examinations and birth, and therefore may be affected, similarly, to the expectant mother.
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