Evaluation of Effective Factors on Decision of Families Regarding Medical Abortion Recommended due to Fetal Anomaly

The study aims to examine the effective factors influencing the decision of families to whom medical abortion was recommended due to fetal anomalies. The cross-sectional study was conducted at İstanbul University Hospital, Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, High-Risk Pregnancies and Maternity Ward. The sample consisted of 233 pregnant women, to whom medical abortion was recommended due to the diagnosis of foetal anomaly collected inover a 1-year period. While 122 of the families decided to have medical abortions, 111 decided to give birth. The rate of deciding on medical abortion was the highest in families whose fetuses had a high expectation rate of lethal anomalies (p < .001). The most effective factor for the families who decided to give birth was their religious beliefs. The most effective factor for the families who decided to have a medical abortion was the information they received from health professionals. While the religious beliefs of the parents were effective in the decision to give birth, the information they received from the health professionals was effective in the decision to have a medical abortion.