Emotional Reactions of Mothers who have Babies who are Diagnosed with Down Syndrome

Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study was to explore a deeper insight into experiences of Turkish mothers living with/diagnosed with Down syndrome (DS) baby.

Methods

Individual and audiotaped interviews were carried out with 11 women after amniocentesis in Karaman city of Turkey between August 2012 and February 2013. Transcribed semistructured interviews were qualitatively and analyzed using a thematic analysis approach to code and categorize emerging themes.

Results

Three principal themes emerged from the study: mothers' emotional reaction after diagnosed DS, mother and healthcare professional interactions, and mother's coping with diagnosed DS.

Conclusions

Understanding the experiences of women living with/diagnosed with DS baby enables nurses to devise appropriate strategies to provide better support at every stage and thus helping them to cope with daily life.

Amaç

Bu çalışmanın amacı gebeliğinde Down sendromu tanısı konmuş kadınların derin bir bakışla deneyimlerini saptamaktır.

Yöntem

Çalışma Karaman'da Ağustos 2012 ve Şubat 2013 tarihleri arasında yapılmıştır. Yarı yapılandırılmış görüşme formu ile kişiye özel ses kayıtları alınarak yapılan çalışmada tematik analiz kullanılarak veriler kodlanmış ve kategorize edilmiştir.

Bulgular

Çalışma sonunda sptanan temalar: tanı sonrası kadınların duygusal durumları, anne- sağlık personeli ilişkisi, tanı sonrası başetme yollarıdır.

Sonuçlar

Kadınların hislerini anlamak, bu sürecin her aşamasında hemşirelerin daha iyi destek vermek için uygun stratejileri geliştirmelerini sağlayarak, onların günlük yaşamlarını kolaylaştırılabilir.

Keywords

Amniocentesis Down syndrome nursing qualitative research Turkey

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