[Trouble within compassion: psychological guidance during prenatal diagnosis, from indication to decision].

This paper outlines the importance of psychological guidance throughout the process of prenatal diagnosis, according to the author's everyday experience in a multidisciplinary fetal medicine department. Consequences of the indication of a fetal disease are described for both sides (doctor and patient). The psychological mechanisms involved lead to the discomfort in the obstetrician's compassion and explain the intensity of the mother-to-be's reaction in the devastating situation.