Ethical Decisions And Midwifery Approaches in The Prenatal Diagnosis Process

With the rapid advancement of technology and the widespread use of prenatal diagnostic methods, families and healthcare professionals are faced with critical decisions regarding the detection of fetal abnormalities, including those in the early stages of pregnancy. In this context, midwives, who encounter pregnant women more frequently than other health professionals during the prenatal period, often witness ethical issues in the prenatal diagnosis process. Routine prenatal care practices are not limited to technical procedures or technological requirements; they also involve cultural determinants related to disability, eugenics, welfare, and prevention. The effectiveness of midwives in this process helps to maintain the emotional and mental well-being of couples, improve maternal and neonatal outcomes, and increase the quality of care. At the same time, midwives' individual and ethics-focused approach helps pregnant women make decisions that align with their beliefs and cultural values during the decision-making process by accelerating their compliance with the results of screening and diagnostic tests. At this point, it is crucial for midwives to provide support services that respect the individual's decision-making process, informed consent, and transcultural approaches in managing existing ethical dilemmas. The aim of this review is to examine ethical issues arising during the prenatal diagnosis process, their impact on decision-making, and the role of midwives, emphasizing the importance of a midwifery approach that focuses on women.