Mothers' experiences of parenting a child with chromosomal structural abnormalities: The journey to acceptance.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the process mothers go through in coming to terms with raising a child with chromosomal structural abnormalities.

Methods: Sixteen mothers living in Japan were interviewed and a modified grounded theory approach was used for the analysis.

Results: A total of 35 concepts, nine subcategories, and six categories were extracted.

Developing competencies in genetics nursing: Education intervention for perinatal and pediatric nurses.

Nurses need to be appropriately trained in genetics to provide clinical care based on best practice for patients and families. This exploratory study describes an educational intervention using authentic stimulus material centered on a clinical case study of a family with a baby with Down syndrome. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected from a sample of 15 nurses and 27 students from three universities in Japan before and after completing an entry-level workshop on competency-based genetics nursing.

Experiences regarding maternal age-specific risks and prenatal testing of women of advanced maternal age in Japan.

The number of pregnant women of advanced maternal age has increased worldwide. Women in this group have an increased chance of fetal abnormality. To explore Japanese women's experiences regarding maternal age-specific risks and prenatal testing, we conducted a descriptive qualitative study.

Japanese women's attitudes towards routine ultrasound screening during pregnancy.

Because there are few published studies from Eastern countries concerning women's experiences of prenatal ultrasound scans, this study investigated this topic in 238 Japanese women in three different prenatal settings. A cross-sectional questionnaire of 33 items was administered to 261 women at 14-37 weeks gestation with no known obstetrical risk, after their ultrasounds. The main reasons for the ultrasounds were evaluation of fetal growth (100%, n = 238); obstetrical conditions (n = 228, 96%); and fetal abnormalities (91%, n = 217).

Genetic competence of midwives in the UK and Japan.

In the UK and Japan, midwives provide health services for women with concerns about a genetic condition or who are considering antenatal screening. In both countries, competences related to genetic health care have been devised but there is little evidence about midwifery competence in practice. A systematic literature review was undertaken to determine the extent to which midwives are achieving the genetic competences that are prescribed for their practice.