Antenatal screening will lead to pregnant women being able to make informed choices – what are these choices?
The aim of the programme is to support informed choices. Screening identifies women/couples who are genetic carriers and whose babies would be at risk of inheriting sickle cell or thalassaemia disorders. Appropriate, culturally sensitive, counselling and information is provided to people identified as carriers. This supports them to understand the conditions, learn about the care and support on offer and choose whether to accept a further diagnostic test that will confirm whether their baby has the disorder. If the baby has inherited the disorder, further counseling is provided to help parents decide whether they wish to continue with the pregnancy or to opt for termination.
Related Questions
- How much do family physicians involve pregnant women in decisions about prenatal screening for Down syndrome?
- Antenatal screening will lead to pregnant women being able to make informed choices – what are these choices?
- Do sociodemographic characteristics of pregnant women determine their perception of antenatal care quality?
