The impact of prenatal screening on women's psychological wellbeing

Prenatal screening such as combined First Trimester Screening (cFTS) and Non-Invasive Prenatal Screening (NIPT) are designed to give women more information, choice and control in their pregnancies. However, more research is needed on how the process of prenatal screening can impact on women’s psychological wellbeing. This study explored how screening results and associated factors, such as decisional conflict and satisfaction with genetic counseling, can impact on the psychological wellbeing of women. A total of 125 participants were recruited for the current study between April and July 2019, with women having undergone either cFTS or NIPT, or both. Participants were asked to complete an online survey with questionnaires about their prenatal screening experience and psychological wellbeing. It was found that women who received a high-risk prenatal screening result had significantly higher symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress, compared to women who received a low-risk result. It was also found that higher levels of decisional conflict related to the decision to undergo screening was associated with higher levels of depression, anxiety and stress symptoms. This research highlighted the importance of considering the impact of prenatal screening on psychological wellbeing, as poor mental health in pregnancy can lead to longer term negative outcomes for the developing fetus. Screening women for psychological symptoms throughout the process of prenatal screening, and recommending psychological intervention for women with prolonged elevation of symptoms or a high-risk screening result, may help to reduce the length and severity of psychological distress, and prevent ongoing mental health issues.