The objectives of this study were to understand how parents made the decision to do maternal–fetal surgery for myelomeningocele and to determine the influence of the shared decision-making model on their choice.
Method
This is a qualitative study of parents in a fetal care center after fetal surgery. Interviews were recorded and transcribed. Analysis was completed using iterative code development, and thematic saturation was reached.
Results
Rapid decision making, often before seeing fetal care professionals, was present, parental agency drove the decision for surgery, exposure to other parents via the Internet was key to reducing uncertainty and increasing hope for the future, positive interactions with the healthcare team played a role in parental choice for surgery, and mothers were surprised by unanticipated pain and discomfort following surgery.
Discussion
Tenets of shared decision making, such as patients feeling supported by their healthcare professionals, were present. Results learned from this study could be used to tailor interactions with parents seeking fetal surgery.
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