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If a serious birth defect is found, parents need to decide whether or not to continue the pregnancy. Some parents continue, but seven in ten choose to terminate the pregnancy. This represents around 3,300 terminations each year in the UK. Recent research provides fresh insight into the decision-making process for these parents.

If a serious birth defect is found, parents need to decide whether or not to continue the pregnancy. Some parents continue, but seven in ten choose to terminate the pregnancy. This represents around 3,300 terminations each year in the UK. Recent research provides fresh insight into the decision-making process for these parents. Shared decision-making is central to maternity care. But the new research highlights the difficulty of putting this into practice when birth defects are diagnosed or suspected. Researchers interviewed 38 parents and 18 clinicians; they also observed 48 consultations. Parents and doctors take different approaches to difficult decisions. The research describes various approaches taken by parents, and the reactions of clinicians.

The quality of the clinician-parent relationship strongly influences the parents’ decision. This relationship sets the tone for parents’ understanding of the situation and their ability to make an informed decision. The findings highlight the tensions that can emerge between parents and doctors. Clinicians need to understand and accept parents’ many different approaches to decision-making, the research concludes.