Parents of individuals with Down's syndrome: Opinions and experience of prenatal testing.

The acceptance of disability within society is increasing. However advances in clinical and medical procedures make it easier to test for genetic markers and to allow pregnant women to choose to terminate a pregnancy. One of the screenings offered is for Down syndrome. The availability of this screening is often cause for discussion within society. The way in which this screening test and subsequent results are delivered can prompt difficult emotions in parents. This narrative review aims to draw together papers exploring the opinions on prenatal testing from parents of individuals with Down syndrome. Twelve studies were analysed using Thematic Synthesis. Five superordinate themes were identified: decision making and reason for not testing, professionals, post-test emotions, societal opinions, opinions on the logistics of testing. The results suggest that there are still varied opinions and experiences of prenatal testing, often dependant on interactions with society and professionals.