Women’s Experience with Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing and Emotional Well-being and Satisfaction after Test-Results

Rachèl V. van Schendel, G. C.M.Lieve Page-Christiaens, Lean Beulen, Caterina M. Bilardo, Marjon A de Boer, Audrey B C Coumans, Brigitte H W Faas, Irene M. van Langen, Klaske D. Lichtenbelt, Merel C van Maarle, Merryn V E Macville, Dick Oepkes, Eva Pajkrt, Lidewij Henneman*,

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

1 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Increasingly, high-risk pregnant women opt for non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) instead of invasive diagnostic testing. Since NIPT is less accurate than invasive testing, a normal NIPT result might leave women less reassured. A questionnaire study was performed among pregnant women with elevated risk for fetal aneuploidy based on first-trimester combined test (risk ≥1:200) or medical history, who were offered NIPT in the nationwide Dutch TRIDENT study. Pre- and post-test questionnaires (n = 682) included measures on: experiences with NIPT procedure, feelings of reassurance, anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, STAI), child-related anxiety (PRAQ-R), and satisfaction. The majority (96.1%) were glad to have been offered NIPT. Most (68.5%) perceived the waiting time for NIPT results (mean: 15 days, range 5–32) as (much) too long. Most women with a normal NIPT result felt reassured (80.9%) or somewhat reassured (15.7%). Levels of anxiety and child-related anxiety were significantly lower after receiving a normal NIPT result as compared to the moment of intake (p < 0.001). Women with inadequate health literacy or a medical history (e.g. previous child with trisomy) experienced significantly higher post-test-result anxiety (Mean (M) STAI = 31.6 and 30.0, respectively) compared to those with adequate health literacy (M = 28.6) and no medical history (M = 28.6), indicating these women might benefit from extra information and/or guidance when communicating NIPT test-results. Introducing NIPT as an alternative to invasive testing, led to an offer that satisfied and largely reassured high-risk pregnant women.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1348-1356
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Genetic Counseling
Volume26
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Dec 2017

Keywords

  • Anxiety
  • NIPT
  • Non-invasive Prenatal Testing
  • Prenatal Screening
  • Reassurance
  • Satisfaction

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Women’s Experience with Non-Invasive Prenatal Testing and Emotional Well-being and Satisfaction after Test-Results'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this