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• >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality

Publication date: January 2006          Last updated: May 2012

Review date: May 2014

 

Discovery of a fetal abnormality may lead to the decision to terminate a pregnancy. We interviewed 40 people (including some male partners) about their experiences of ending a pregnancy for this reason. Select from the key topics below, choose from the full list of topics, or explore all the interviews.

• Pregnancy & children >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality

Publication date: January 2006          Last updated: May 2012

Review date: May 2014

 

Discovery of a fetal abnormality may lead to the decision to terminate a pregnancy. We interviewed 40 people (including some male partners) about their experiences of ending a pregnancy for this reason. Select from the key topics below, choose from the full list of topics, or explore all the interviews.

• Topic
• >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> Ending the pregnancy by induction >> Ending the pregnancy by induction

Ending the pregnancy by induction

• Pregnancy & children >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> Ending the pregnancy by induction >> Ending the pregnancy by induction

Ending the pregnancy by induction

• >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> Ending the pregnancy for family & personal reasons >> Ending the pregnancy for family & personal reasons

Ending the pregnancy for family and personal reasons

• Pregnancy & children >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> Ending the pregnancy for family & personal reasons >> Ending the pregnancy for family & personal reasons

Ending the pregnancy for family and personal reasons

• >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> Ending the pregnancy for the baby's sake >> Ending the pregnancy for the baby's sake

Deciding to end the pregnancy for the baby's sake

• Pregnancy & children >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> Ending the pregnancy for the baby's sake >> Ending the pregnancy for the baby's sake

Deciding to end the pregnancy for the baby's sake

• >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> Ending the pregnancy surgically >> Ending the pregnancy surgically

Ending the pregnancy surgically

• Pregnancy & children >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> Ending the pregnancy surgically >> Ending the pregnancy surgically

Ending the pregnancy surgically

• >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> Feelings about the pregnancy >> Feelings about the pregnancy

Feelings about the pregnancy

• Pregnancy & children >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> Feelings about the pregnancy >> Feelings about the pregnancy

Feelings about the pregnancy

• >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> Finding out how the pregnancy will end >> Finding out how the pregnancy will end

Finding out how the pregnancy will end 

• Pregnancy & children >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> Finding out how the pregnancy will end >> Finding out how the pregnancy will end

Finding out how the pregnancy will end 

• Clip
• Pregnancy & children >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> 1-2 years since pregnancy ended >> Interview 12 >> She and her partner got caught up in the pregnancy - their lives started to change as did their feelings about starting a family.

Her 1st pregnancy: 20-week scan indicated anomalies. Detailed scanning showed the baby had severe form of spina bifida. The pregnancy ended by induction at 20 weeks. She has polycystic ovarian syndrome and was taking folic acid before the pregnancy, she now takes a larger dose. One miscarriage since the termination.

• Pregnancy & children >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> 1-2 years since pregnancy ended >> Interview 34 >> No one could explain why his wife's blood test showed she was not pregnant yet subsequently they saw the baby on the scanner.

His wife's 1st pregnancy: 12-week scan no problems detected. 20-week scan detected several anomalies. Specialist scan identified problems with brain development, later diagnosed as Dandy-Walker malfunction. Amniocentesis ruled out Edwards' syndrome. Specialist cardiac scan detected heart abnormalities. Pregnancy ended by feticide and induction at 22 weeks. Post mortem identified multiple abnormalities. He and his wife are hoping for another baby.

• Pregnancy & children >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> 1-2 years since pregnancy ended >> Interview 02 >> Her baby looked structurally fine on the 12-week scan and she and her partner decided to tell everyone about the pregnancy (an AFP test shortly afterw

Her 1st pregnancy. Spina bifida detected by AFP test and scan at 16 weeks. She and partner decided to seek second opinion privately which confirmed diagnosis of spina bifida. Pregnancy ended by induction at 17 weeks, followed by post mortem. Mother has epilepsy and took extra folic acid during pregnancy. Since interview she has had another baby.

• Pregnancy & children >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> 1-2 years since pregnancy ended >> Interview 34 >> He feels happy at seeing his baby for the first time on the screen and takes scan pictures to work to show his colleagues.

His wife's 1st pregnancy: 12-week scan no problems detected. 20-week scan detected several anomalies. Specialist scan identified problems with brain development, later diagnosed as Dandy-Walker malfunction. Amniocentesis ruled out Edwards' syndrome. Specialist cardiac scan detected heart abnormalities. Pregnancy ended by feticide and induction at 22 weeks. Post mortem identified multiple abnormalities. He and his wife are hoping for another baby.

• Pregnancy & children >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> 3-4 years since pregnancy ended >> Interview 16 >> Describes how she instinctively wanted to hold and touch her baby and explains how she and her husband kept him with them overnight and had him blesse

Her 4th pregnancy: experienced sickness during first trimester and felt unwell. Blood test at 16 weeks detected Down's syndrome. Amniocentesis confirmed Down's. Pregnancy ended by induction at 19 weeks. Following the termination she had a stillbirth. (In 2005 she had another baby.)

• Pregnancy & children >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> 1-2 years since pregnancy ended >> Interview 12 >> She felt unprepared for the amount of bleeding she experienced after leaving hospital and says it was hard to avoid the maternity section of the super

Her 1st pregnancy: 20-week scan indicated anomalies. Detailed scanning showed the baby had severe form of spina bifida. The pregnancy ended by induction at 20 weeks. She has polycystic ovarian syndrome and was taking folic acid before the pregnancy, she now takes a larger dose. One miscarriage since the termination.

• Pregnancy & children >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> 1-2 years since pregnancy ended >> Interview 13 >> She found it difficult to accept that the post mortem found no reason why her membranes had ruptured.

Her 1st pregnancy: heavy bleeding in first trimester caused by ovarian haematoma. 20-week scan found insufficient amniotic fluid - possible premature rupture of membranes. Parents advised that baby could have lung damage/ breathing difficulties - uncertain prognosis. Pregnancy ended by induction at 23 weeks. Post mortem indicated that baby's development not affected by rupture of membranes. Twins born since termination.

• Pregnancy & children >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> 1-2 years since pregnancy ended >> Interview 11 >> She appreciated having a copy of the baby's post mortem but found that the wording gave her some doubts about whether all the possible tests had been

Her 1st pregnancy: experienced hyperemesis during pregnancy. Triple test at 16 weeks showed high AFP reading. Sent for specialist scan which found baby had neural tube defect confirmed by amniocentesis. Pregnancy was ended by induction at 21 weeks. Post mortem indicated Arnold-Chiari malformation. Since termination she has had another baby.

• Pregnancy & children >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> 5-7 years since pregnancy ended >> Interview 15 >> She describes having an amnio and says that the procedure went well and that she experienced little discomfort at the time or soreness afterwards.

Her 1st pregnancy: Triple test at 16 weeks indicated baby was at high risk of having Edwards' syndrome. Amniocentesis confirmed Edwards' syndrome. Pregnancy ended by induction at 19 weeks. She and her husband agreed to post mortem. She has since had another two babies.

• Pregnancy & children >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> 1-2 years since pregnancy ended >> Interview 02 >> She had never had a baby before and didn't know when she was in labour and found herself alone when the baby was born.

Her 1st pregnancy. Spina bifida detected by AFP test and scan at 16 weeks. She and partner decided to seek second opinion privately which confirmed diagnosis of spina bifida. Pregnancy ended by induction at 17 weeks, followed by post mortem. Mother has epilepsy and took extra folic acid during pregnancy. Since interview she has had another baby.

• >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> Men's ideas about their role in ending a pregnancy >> Men's ideas about their role in ending a pregnancy

Men and their role in ending a pregnancy

• Pregnancy & children >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> Men's ideas about their role in ending a pregnancy >> Men's ideas about their role in ending a pregnancy

Men and their role in ending a pregnancy

• Pregnancy & children >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> 5-7 years since pregnancy ended >> Interview 23 >> Her pregnancy was planned and she felt happy and very well until after her first scan at 15 weeks (her baby had hypoplastic left heart syndrome).

She has 3 children (1st, 3rd and 4th pregnancies), and ended 1 pregnancy. 2nd pregnancy: everything seemed fine until 20-week scan which found heart defects. Specialist cardiac scan identified hypoplastic left heart syndrome. Pregnancy ended by induction at 21 weeks. Parents agreed to post mortem. Since then she has had two children.

• Pregnancy & children >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> 3-4 years since pregnancy ended >> Interview 16 >> She felt unwell and was very sick - her instincts told her 'this is not right' (her baby had Down's syndrome).

Her 4th pregnancy: experienced sickness during first trimester and felt unwell. Blood test at 16 weeks detected Down's syndrome. Amniocentesis confirmed Down's. Pregnancy ended by induction at 19 weeks. Following the termination she had a stillbirth. (In 2005 she had another baby.)

• Pregnancy & children >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> 5-7 years since pregnancy ended >> Interview 36 >> Having ended two pregnancies because the babies had neural tube defects she is pregnant again but always dreads having scans.

Mother of 2 children (1st and 3rd pregnancies). 2nd pregnancy: 20-week scan detected anomalies. Sent for specialist scan, baby diagnosed with holoprosencephaly. Amniocentesis. Pregnancy ended by induction at 21 weeks. She experienced post-natal depression. Sent for genetic counselling. 4th pregnancy: 12-week scan anomalies detected - baby diagnosed with anencephaly. Pregnancy ended surgically at 13 weeks. She had gynaecological problems following termination. She was pregnant at time of interview.

• Pregnancy & children >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> 1-2 years since pregnancy ended >> Interview 34 >> He feels happy at seeing his baby for the first time on the screen and takes scan pictures to work to show his colleagues.

His wife's 1st pregnancy: 12-week scan no problems detected. 20-week scan detected several anomalies. Specialist scan identified problems with brain development, later diagnosed as Dandy-Walker malfunction. Amniocentesis ruled out Edwards' syndrome. Specialist cardiac scan detected heart abnormalities. Pregnancy ended by feticide and induction at 22 weeks. Post mortem identified multiple abnormalities. He and his wife are hoping for another baby.

• Pregnancy & children >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> 1-2 years since pregnancy ended >> Interview 34 >> No one could explain why his wife's blood test showed she was not pregnant yet subsequently they saw the baby on the scanner.

His wife's 1st pregnancy: 12-week scan no problems detected. 20-week scan detected several anomalies. Specialist scan identified problems with brain development, later diagnosed as Dandy-Walker malfunction. Amniocentesis ruled out Edwards' syndrome. Specialist cardiac scan detected heart abnormalities. Pregnancy ended by feticide and induction at 22 weeks. Post mortem identified multiple abnormalities. He and his wife are hoping for another baby.

• Pregnancy & children >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> 1-2 years since pregnancy ended >> Interview 17 >> She felt worried that the pregnancy was wrong even after doctors had tried to reassure her when she had her nuchal scan (her baby had trisomies 4 and

After birth of first child she had 3 miscarriages. 4th pregnancy did not 'feel right'. Nuchal scan arranged privately, baby was small for dates. Had two more scans to investigate baby's size and due date. Specialist scan at 21 weeks, then heart scan and then amniocentesis. Doctors suspected diaphragmatic hernia but amnio identified chromosomal abnormality (Wolf Hirschhorn syndrome). Pregnancy was ended by feticide and induction at 24 weeks. (Since the interview she has had another baby.)

• Pregnancy & children >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> 1-2 years since pregnancy ended >> Interview 02 >> She was pleased to have conceived so easily but asked her doctor for advice in case her epilepsy medication would affect the baby (her baby had spina

Her 1st pregnancy. Spina bifida detected by AFP test and scan at 16 weeks. She and partner decided to seek second opinion privately which confirmed diagnosis of spina bifida. Pregnancy ended by induction at 17 weeks, followed by post mortem. Mother has epilepsy and took extra folic acid during pregnancy. Since interview she has had another baby.

• Pregnancy & children >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> 8+ years since pregnancy ended >> Interview 28 >> She bursts into tears when she finds out she is expecting another set of twins because she feels she cannot cope (one of the twins had Down's syndrome

She has polycystic ovaries so took clomid. Experienced 3 miscarriages then conceived twins. 5th pregnancy: 11-week scan detected twins. Nuchal scan at 14 weeks indicated twins had Down's syndrome. 2 CVS tests done at specialist centre, Down's confirmed in one twin. Selective reducation of one twin by feticide at 15 weeks. Other twin continued to term.

• Pregnancy & children >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> 3-4 years since pregnancy ended >> Interview 31 >> She was starting to relax when she went for the 20-week scan with her mother but then the sonographer saw signs of Edwards' syndrome.

Mother's 1st pregnancy (father's 4th - he has 3 children from previous marriage). IVF pregnancy, some bleeding, 8-week dating scan at IVF clinic. 12-week scan no problems found. 20-week scan detected choroid plexus cysts (soft markers for Edwards' syndrome). Specialist cardiac scan indicated heart defects- sent for amniocentesis. Pregnancy ended at 22 weeks by feticide and induction. They have had another baby since termination.

• Pregnancy & children >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> 1-2 years since pregnancy ended >> Interview 11 >> For several weeks after the baby's death she felt panic-stricken around babies.

Her 1st pregnancy: experienced hyperemesis during pregnancy. Triple test at 16 weeks showed high AFP reading. Sent for specialist scan which found baby had neural tube defect confirmed by amniocentesis. Pregnancy was ended by induction at 21 weeks. Post mortem indicated Arnold-Chiari malformation. Since termination she has had another baby.

• Pregnancy & children >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> 3-4 years since pregnancy ended >> Interview 24 >> Explains that she hasn't been able to conceive again and that she feels blessed to have one child.

Mother of 1 child, she had a miscarriage in 1997. She has a heart condition and takes warfarin (heparin during pregnancy). 3rd pregnancy: 7-week scan confirmed pregnancy viable. 12 week scan no problems found. Nuchal scan at 13 weeks found baby had shortened femur, no tibia or fibular on right leg. Specialist scans confirmed lower limb deficiencies. Pregnancy ended at 17 weeks by induction.

• Pregnancy & children >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> 5-7 years since pregnancy ended >> Interview 36 >> Having ended two pregnancies because of neural tube defects she is pregnant again and explains her motivation and anxieties.

Mother of 2 children (1st and 3rd pregnancies). 2nd pregnancy: 20-week scan detected anomalies. Sent for specialist scan, baby diagnosed with holoprosencephaly. Amniocentesis. Pregnancy ended by induction at 21 weeks. She experienced post-natal depression. Sent for genetic counselling. 4th pregnancy: 12-week scan anomalies detected - baby diagnosed with anencephaly. Pregnancy ended surgically at 13 weeks. She had gynaecological problems following termination. She was pregnant at time of interview.

• Pregnancy & children >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> 5-7 years since pregnancy ended >> Interview 22 >> Looking back she realises that she put her husband under strain because she was so determined to get pregnant again after the termination.

Her 1st pregnancy: some bleeding and sickness, scan at 7 weeks confirmed pregnancy. 12-week scan normal. Triple test at 19 weeks, found raised AFP levels. 20-week scan identified hole in baby's heart and shortened limbs. Specialist scan found 2 holes in heart and abnormalities in limbs, bowel and brain- sent for amniocentesis. Pregnancy ended by induction at 21 weeks. She has had another baby since termination.

• Pregnancy & children >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> 5-7 years since pregnancy ended >> Interview 10 >> She looks back on all the things that have happened to her and feels that she is more appreciative of her children.

Her 2nd pregnancy: 20-week scan indicated serious abnormalities. Amniocentesis and scans identified Patau's syndrome. Pregnancy was ended by induction (no feticide at her request) at 24 weeks. Since then she has had another baby.

• Pregnancy & children >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> 5-7 years since pregnancy ended >> Interview 29 >> Says that having another baby as well as the passage of time helped him and his wife recover from the termination.

Their 2nd pregnancy: mother had gestational diabetes so had regular blood tests and scans throughout pregnancy. Amniocentesis at 16 weeks was clear. Scan at 30 weeks indicated neural tube defect. Detailed scans indentified alobar holoprosencephaly. Pregnancy was ended by feticide and induction at 31 weeks. Parents declined post mortem. They have had another baby since the termination.

• Pregnancy & children >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> 1-2 years since pregnancy ended >> Interview 06 >> Still feels she hasn't come to terms with her guilt about the baby's death which happened two years' ago.

Their 2nd pregnancy: 20-week scan showed baby seemed small for his dates. Further specialist scans at 28 and 32 weeks showed baby's head was small. Mother also had amniocentesis and MRI scan. Baby diagnosed with microcephaly. Pregnancy ended at 34 weeks by feticide and induction.

• Pregnancy & children >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> 1-2 years since pregnancy ended >> Interview 38 >> She can remember everything about her baby who died less than a year ago, and still thinks about him every day.

Mother of 1 child, married to her first cousin. 2nd pregnancy: 12-week scan normal. 20-week scan detected anomalies in the baby's brain. Specialist scan confirmed multiple abnormalities. Pregnancy ended at 20 weeks by induction. Post mortem indicated baby had proliferative vasculopathy with hydrocephaly (Fowler syndrome). Sent for genetic counselling, established she and her husband carriers of gene responsible for syndrome. She was pregnant at time of interview.

• Pregnancy & children >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> 5-7 years since pregnancy ended >> Interview 22 >> For about 18 months after losing her baby she found herself feeling resentful of women who were pregnant and those who had healthy babies.

Her 1st pregnancy: some bleeding and sickness, scan at 7 weeks confirmed pregnancy. 12-week scan normal. Triple test at 19 weeks, found raised AFP levels. 20-week scan identified hole in baby's heart and shortened limbs. Specialist scan found 2 holes in heart and abnormalities in limbs, bowel and brain- sent for amniocentesis. Pregnancy ended by induction at 21 weeks. She has had another baby since termination.

• Pregnancy & children >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> 3-4 years since pregnancy ended >> Interview 07 >> Describes how difficult it was to decide whether to have another baby because she felt so worried about the same things happening again.

Her 3rd pregnancy: 20-week scan detected anomalies - baby's kidneys and stomach couldn't be seen. Specialist scan revealed baby had multiple abnormalities; parents agreed to amniocentesis which confirmed baby's problems were not inherited. Pregnancy ended at 22 weeks by induction. She has since had another baby.

• Pregnancy & children >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> 8+ years since pregnancy ended >> Interview 09 >> She felt she needed another baby to fill the void in her life left by the baby she had lost but her husband was unsure.

Her 2nd pregnancy: 20-week scan found baby had anomalies. Preliminary diagnosis after specialist cardiac scan was that baby had serious heart defects. Pregnancy ended by induction at 24 weeks. Post mortem revealed baby had hypoplastic left heart syndrome and an unbalanced chromosomal translocation (Robertsonian translocation of 13 and 14). Genetic counselling found that mother and her mother are carriers of a chromosomal disorder or translocation of the chromosomes. Since termination she has had another baby.

• Pregnancy & children >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> 5-7 years since pregnancy ended >> Interview 27 >> Describes how happy she was about her next pregnancy and how it went well from the start.

Her 2nd pregnancy: she felt unwell throughout pregnancy. 12-week scan confirmed pregnancy viable. Amniocentesis identified Down's syndrome. Pregnancy ended by induction at 19 weeks. She had another baby 2 years later.

• Pregnancy & children >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> 5-7 years since pregnancy ended >> Interview 10 >> Describes how she was pessimistic throughout her subsequent pregnancy but that after her son was safely delivered she realised what strain she had bee

Her 2nd pregnancy: 20-week scan indicated serious abnormalities. Amniocentesis and scans identified Patau's syndrome. Pregnancy was ended by induction (no feticide at her request) at 24 weeks. Since then she has had another baby.

• Pregnancy & children >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> 1-2 years since pregnancy ended >> Interview 11 >> Describes how difficult she found her second pregnancy and that her new baby often makes her think of her first baby.

Her 1st pregnancy: experienced hyperemesis during pregnancy. Triple test at 16 weeks showed high AFP reading. Sent for specialist scan which found baby had neural tube defect confirmed by amniocentesis. Pregnancy was ended by induction at 21 weeks. Post mortem indicated Arnold-Chiari malformation. Since termination she has had another baby.

• Pregnancy & children >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> 3-4 years since pregnancy ended >> Interview 16 >> She felt unwell and was very sick - her instincts told her 'this is not right' (her baby had Down's syndrome).

Her 4th pregnancy: experienced sickness during first trimester and felt unwell. Blood test at 16 weeks detected Down's syndrome. Amniocentesis confirmed Down's. Pregnancy ended by induction at 19 weeks. Following the termination she had a stillbirth. (In 2005 she had another baby.)

• Pregnancy & children >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> 1-2 years since pregnancy ended >> Interview 12 >> She and her partner got caught up in the pregnancy - their lives started to change as did their feelings about starting a family.

Her 1st pregnancy: 20-week scan indicated anomalies. Detailed scanning showed the baby had severe form of spina bifida. The pregnancy ended by induction at 20 weeks. She has polycystic ovarian syndrome and was taking folic acid before the pregnancy, she now takes a larger dose. One miscarriage since the termination.

• Pregnancy & children >> Ending a pregnancy for fetal abnormality >> 5-7 years since pregnancy ended >> Interview 27 >> Describes how happy she was about her next pregnancy and how it went well from the start.

Her 2nd pregnancy: she felt unwell throughout pregnancy. 12-week scan confirmed pregnancy viable. Amniocentesis identified Down's syndrome. Pregnancy ended by induction at 19 weeks. She had another baby 2 years later.