PSYCHOLOGICAL-ASPECTS OF AMNIOCENTESIS

This study describes the psychological aspects and the experience of p ain in 2 groups of women undergoing amniocentesis in relation to the d ifferent indication for the procedure and duration of gestation in the respective groups. Methods and subjects: Data were collected after am niocentesis from 100 pregnant women, 50 of whom underwent age-related amniocentesis (14 weeks of gestation) and 50 for measurement of amniot ic fluid insulin levels (30 weeks of gestation). A semi-structured psy chological interview was used to collect information concerning experi ence of pain, cognition before amniocentesis, knowledge about the proc edure and the most distressing aspects of amniocentesis. Visual analog scales (VAS, 0 to 10) were used to assess the degree of pain and emot ional mood state. Results: The results showed that emotional mood stat e before amniocentesis was fair (mean = 4.6) and increased after amnio centesis (mean = 8.1) The degree of pain during amniocentesis was asse ssed at a mean value of 2.9 measured on the 10-point visual analog sca le. Fifty per cent of the sample considered the physical, the other 50 % the psychological (anxiety and uncertainty) aspects as the most dist ressing factor of amniocentesis. Although women were given prior detai led information about amniocentesis they overestimated the degree of p ain, related risk factors, and duration of the medical procedure. Ther e were no differences in the investigated variables between the two di fferent indications for amniocentesis or the weeks of gestation. Concl usion: The findings of the study indicate the psychological distress a ssociated with amniocentesis, which is limited to a short period of ti me, and is independent of the indication for amniocentesis.