Mental health nursing and the prenatal diagnosis of a congenital anomaly; a narrative of experience

Introduction: Expectant parents who receive a prenatal diagnosis of a congenital anomaly often experience shock, distress and a heightened risk of mental illness. Aim: This paper aimed to highlight the gap in psychosocial support for parents who receive a prenatal diagnosis through the personal narrative of a mental health nurse who received a third-trimester diagnosis. Method: The first-author reviewed her medical records and photos to recall moments of the experience and prompt reflection. Findings: The narrative moved through the shock, guilt and subsequent pathological anxiety that followed a prenatal diagnosis at 32-week gestation and the option to terminate. Discussion: The gap in psychosocial supports for parents who receive a prenatal congenital anomaly diagnosis raises the risk to parental mental health and potentially confounds the risk to the baby. Mental health nurses are well-positioned as service providers to fill this gap. Implications for Practice: The provision of psychosocial support after a prenatal diagnosis is within the mental health nurse scope of practice. This support may be provided through pregnancy support counselling, innovative nurse-led perinatal mental health services or as additional support to a parent with the lived experience of mental illness who receives a prenatal diagnosis of a congenital anomaly