Invasive prenatal testing decisions in pregnancy after infertility.

OBJECTIVE

This study assessed decisional conflict about invasive prenatal testing among women pregnant after infertility.

METHODS

We surveyed 180 pregnant women with a history of infertility using a mixed methods cross-sectional design. Difficulty in deciding whether to have prenatal testing was measured using the Decisional Conflict Scale.

RESULTS

A minority of women (31%) chose to have invasive prenatal testing. Most participants (72%) reported low decisional conflict (score < 25; mean = 22.1; standard deviation = 23.2; range: 0-100). Half (53%) of the participants said that infertility made the testing decision easier. Qualitative data suggest that infertility makes the decision easier by clarifying relevant values and priorities. Most infertility characteristics studied were not significantly associated with decisional conflict. Variables associated with higher decisional conflict included infertility distress due to rejection of a childfree lifestyle, disagreement with others about testing, and choosing to have invasive testing after having had treatment for infertility.

CONCLUSIONS

For some women, infertility may make the invasive prenatal testing decision easier. Women with the greatest need for decisional support were those who have had treatment and choose invasive testing, who disagree with others about their testing choice, or who are particularly distressed about being childless.