Personal Growth After Severe Fetal Diagnosis

The traumatic aspects of positive diagnosis of a severe fetal anomaly have garnered the most attention, but the personal growth in the aftermath of this event remains relatively unexplored. We used the five dimensions of growth and change from Posttraumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI) to analyze data generated from ethnographic interviews conducted with 15 women and 10 of their male partners in the aftermath of a severe fetal diagnosis. Eighteen (12 women and 6 men) of these 25 participants experienced positive change across these dimensions. Relating to others was the dimension that showed the most consistent early and prolonged change. Six of the 10 couples had congruent profiles of change. Negative change was evident in 2 women and 2 men. Recognizing the potential for growth allows nurses opportunities to promote it in the aftermath of severe fetal diagnosis.