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<p>Parents who receive a fetal congenital heart disease (CHD) diagnosis commonly report elevated psychological distress, including symptoms of anxiety and depression. Emerging research also highlights associations between maternal psychological distress and impaired fetal neurodevelopment. This study aimed to explore parents’ emotional and psychological experiences, and psychological support needs, following a fetal CHD diagnosis, to generate evidence to inform the future development of a psychologically informed antenatal intervention. Fourteen parents who had received a fetal diagnosis of CHD participated in semi-structured interviews, conducted either in person or online. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Four interconnected themes were identified: (1) Suspended in Uncertainty; (2) Layers of Grief; (3) Finding a Way Through; and (4) Psychologically Safe Support. Together, these themes describe the emotional impact of a fetal CHD diagnosis, parents’ efforts to cope and adapt, and the need for flexible, accessible psychological support during the antenatal period. Parents experience significant psychological challenges following a fetal CHD diagnosis, alongside unmet needs for tailored psychological support during the antenatal period. Clinical psychology support should therefore be integrated into fetal cardiology services to improve parental wellbeing and support optimal outcomes for both parents and infants.</p>

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Parental Experiences and Psychological Support Needs Following Fetal Diagnosis of Congenital Heart Disease: A Qualitative Study

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2026年7月29日

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  • Catherine Quinn,
  • Martin Dempster,
  • Nicola Doherty,
  • Frank Casey

摘要

Parents who receive a fetal congenital heart disease (CHD) diagnosis commonly report elevated psychological distress, including symptoms of anxiety and depression. Emerging research also highlights associations between maternal psychological distress and impaired fetal neurodevelopment. This study aimed to explore parents’ emotional and psychological experiences, and psychological support needs, following a fetal CHD diagnosis, to generate evidence to inform the future development of a psychologically informed antenatal intervention. Fourteen parents who had received a fetal diagnosis of CHD participated in semi-structured interviews, conducted either in person or online. Interviews were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Four interconnected themes were identified: (1) Suspended in Uncertainty; (2) Layers of Grief; (3) Finding a Way Through; and (4) Psychologically Safe Support. Together, these themes describe the emotional impact of a fetal CHD diagnosis, parents’ efforts to cope and adapt, and the need for flexible, accessible psychological support during the antenatal period. Parents experience significant psychological challenges following a fetal CHD diagnosis, alongside unmet needs for tailored psychological support during the antenatal period. Clinical psychology support should therefore be integrated into fetal cardiology services to improve parental wellbeing and support optimal outcomes for both parents and infants.