Attitudes and values towards decisions at the margin of viability among expectant mothers at risk for preterm birth.
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BORIS DOI
Publisher DOI
PubMed ID
37942656
Description
AIM
To explore how expectant mothers at risk for preterm birth would like to be involved in decision-making at the margin of viability and what they would base their decisions on.
METHODS
This cross-sectional observational study included a mixed-methods post-hoc analysis alongside a previously reported randomised clinical trial. Expectant mothers between 280/7 and 366/7 weeks' gestation who were hospitalised for risk of preterm birth responded to written case vignettes of an impending preterm birth at the margin of viability. Participants responded to closed and open-ended questions that were theoretically coded for attitudes and values towards shared decision-making.
RESULTS
Sixty-four expectant mothers were included in the analysis, 36 provided written perspectives. Decision-making was perceived as an enormous burden and a potential source of guilt and regret. Weighing personal values in terms of 'fighting for the baby' and 'quality of life' were used to inform the decision-making process. Explicitly stating that any decision is a good decision, empowerment through co-constructing shared decisions rather than simply presenting choices, sharing the clinicians' personal views, and honest, and empathetic counselling were perceived as supportive.
CONCLUSION
Mothers at risk for preterm birth provided specific insights into their decision-making patterns that may be helpful to clinicians.
To explore how expectant mothers at risk for preterm birth would like to be involved in decision-making at the margin of viability and what they would base their decisions on.
METHODS
This cross-sectional observational study included a mixed-methods post-hoc analysis alongside a previously reported randomised clinical trial. Expectant mothers between 280/7 and 366/7 weeks' gestation who were hospitalised for risk of preterm birth responded to written case vignettes of an impending preterm birth at the margin of viability. Participants responded to closed and open-ended questions that were theoretically coded for attitudes and values towards shared decision-making.
RESULTS
Sixty-four expectant mothers were included in the analysis, 36 provided written perspectives. Decision-making was perceived as an enormous burden and a potential source of guilt and regret. Weighing personal values in terms of 'fighting for the baby' and 'quality of life' were used to inform the decision-making process. Explicitly stating that any decision is a good decision, empowerment through co-constructing shared decisions rather than simply presenting choices, sharing the clinicians' personal views, and honest, and empathetic counselling were perceived as supportive.
CONCLUSION
Mothers at risk for preterm birth provided specific insights into their decision-making patterns that may be helpful to clinicians.
Date of Publication
2024-03
Publication Type
Article
Subject(s)
Keyword(s)
decision-making extreme prematurity prenatal counselling values
Language(s)
en
Contributor(s)
Inthorn, Julia | |
Roth, Benjamin | |
Matheisl, Daniel | |
Tippmann, Susanne | |
Mildenberger, Eva |
Additional Credits
Series
Acta paediatrica
Publisher
Wiley
ISSN
1651-2227
Access(Rights)
restricted