Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
about a possible deviation. The good thing about fi nding out about deviance
at an early stage is articulated by Ann:
ANN:
After we had got over that it all was so sad, I think we somehow
realized that it would be very good to fi nd out if something was wrong,
very good to fi nd out early, I think we were lucky to be placed in the
early group [to have the early ultrasound] so I think we, it was probably
something unconscious that you try to turn it into something positive,
but I think we succeeded very well in doing that, because suddenly we
saw it as if we were lucky instead of unfortunate, as we thought at fi rst
when we saw the risk per cent (Interview 1).
If something should be wrong with the baby, it would be good to know
in advance. This can make you more prepared. Here Ann refl ects on the
misfortune that is transformed into something positive. She and her husband
could suddenly see themselves as lucky instead of unfortunate, as they did
when they fi rst saw the risk fi gure, and they succeeded well in doing this. It is
not only good to know in advance. Ann goes on to say that she will be even
more happy if the baby turns out to be healthy and normal, compared with a
situation without the risk assessment. She thinks she will appreciate the baby
even more, if things go well. Having a healthy baby is in itself absolutely
fantastic, 'but I think I will be even a little bit more happy'. The diffi cult
period, diffi cult at the time, she thinks will not be remembered:
ANN:
I think Johan and myself felt that, my God, it was good that we did
this test, it could have been something, now it wasn't, it is not a big
deal to worry for a while, later on, you will hardly remember that it
was diffi cult somehow. I know I felt so at the time, but now I cannot
remember that it was so very diffi cult or that it took such a long time
(no) that's how it is, you forget about the diffi cult things (Interview 2).
In a few cases however, the woman was not happy about having had the
ultrasound screening and about her pregnancy. To Mette, the high risk score
was a shock, completely unexpected, as she was not yet 30 years old. In the
fi rst interview she says:
METTE:
After having done the scan, I actually think one ought to think
about these thing before deciding on the ultrasound scan, really, but
most women have a scan nowadays, at least all my friends, and they talk
about it as if 'have you done your scan yet?' But you don't talk about
what the scan is actually for, to fi nd deviancies, and what you do with
that information. I haven't thought about this until now. (And later in
the same interview:) If I would do it again, yes I have also thought about
that, and I think I would, but what I regret a little, as I mentioned before,
is that I didn't think about the consequences, and I shouldn't have done
