Psychological distress before and after prenatal invasive karyotyping

Background. The aim was to evaluate the psychological and physical impact on women submitting to early amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling and their preferences concerning fetal invasive procedures in a forthcoming pregnancy. Method. Fifty-one women undergoing early amniocentesis or chorionic villus sampling at 10-13 weeks gestation participated. The women completed questionnaires including the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale on three occasions: before, immediately after, and one week after the invasive procedure. Results. The women were more concerned about a spontaneous abortion and waiting for the result than about a possible unreliable result. A majority of the women did not worry about the risk of fetal injury induced by the procedure. More women in the chorionic villus sampling group found the invasive procedure to be physically straining. Two-thirds of the women experienced no or minor psychological strain but one-third experienced major strain. Approximately 20% were classified as doubtful cases and cases of clinical anxiety. Nearly all women would choose to have an invasive procedure of the same kind in a forthcoming pregnancy. Conclusions. The psychological and physical impact on women undergoing invasive procedures for fetal karyotyping does not constitute a major clinical problem. However, a certain number of women report distress and anxiety which should be attended to by professionals involved in fetal invasive procedures. These women may benefit from more support.