Exploring Indian women's reproductive decision-making regarding prenatal testing

Bibliographic Data

ID15099803
AuthorsJyotsna Gupta (0000-0001-7258-5480, University of Humanistic Studies, corresponding author), Jyotsna Agnihotri Gupta (University for Humanistics)
Year2010
Volume12
Issue2
Pages191-204
Publication date2010-02-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueCulture Health & Sexuality (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1369-1058 • E-ISSN: 1464-5351
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/13691050903429316
PMID20054723
OpenAlexW2110239686
LanguageEN
Citations received8
References cited12

Pregnant women in large cities and small towns of India are increasingly undergoing prenatal testing (PNT) on the advice of medical practitioners to ensure foetal health and to prevent the birth of disabled children. In the last two decades, several studies have been conducted in India to determine the extent of proliferation of PNT for sex selection, the profile of women/couples who avail themselves of it and their attitudes towards it, but hardly any research exists which studies women's use of PNT for genetic purposes. Drawing on empirical research, this paper aims to identify factors and actors that influence women's decision-making regarding testing and whether to continue a pregnancy after PNT and how informed their choice is. The research shows that once placed in the role of autonomous and responsible decision-makers, women are making very pragmatic decisions, although the information they possess is highly inadequate and incomplete and their life circumstances too constraining

Empirical research · Family medicine · Medical advice · Medical decision making · Obstetrics · Pregnancy · Selection (genetic algorithm · Sex selection · Computer Science · Demographic Trends and Gender Preferences · Global Maternal and Child Health · Medicine · Nursing · Prenatal Screening and Diagnostics · Psychology

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