EP.1832 Parental involvement in decision-making about planned late preterm and early term birth

<p dir="ltr">Objective: Late preterm and early term (LPET) birth is associated with increased risks of adverse health outcomes throughout life. Where such births have been decided upon in advance many parents are dissatisfied with the input they are able to have in the decision-making process. In this study, we aimed to explore the input expectant parents want and expect in decision-making about possible planned LPET birth, how their experiences compare with those wishes and expectations, and how they feel about the input they have.</p><p dir="ltr"><br></p><p dir="ltr">Method: Recruitment took place via social media, community groups, charities and snowballing. Parents were eligible to take part if their babies were born in the UK up to six months prior to their interview and they had been involved in discussions with doctors in the UK about the possibility of planned late preterm or early term birth. 12 parents of nine singleton babies were interviewed, at which point the themes drawn from the data were considered to have sufficient informative power to have met the aims of the study.</p><p dir="ltr"><br></p><p dir="ltr">Results: Data were analysed using Reflexive Thematic Analysis, resulting in three themes. Theme 1, What matters most to us in this decision?, included sub-themes covering the central importance of ensuring the baby's safety as well as other issues taken into account by parents during decision-making. Theme 2, We’re in a new and strange place, also comprised two sub-themes addressing, first, that parents’ often did not fully understand their situation and, second, the quality and adequacy of the information with which they were provided. Theme 3, Can we work together to reach a decision?, encompassed six sub-themes, addressing a range of issues concerning parents’ relationships with the healthcare professionals involved in the decision-making, including the amount of choice they wanted and were given, and how they felt about their involvement in the decision-making process.</p><p dir="ltr"><br></p><p dir="ltr">Conclusion: Parents want to feel able to voice their questions and concerns; to understand why early birth is being considered, their options and the reason behind specific recommendations; and to work with healthcare professionals to reach a plan that is agreed by all as best for the baby, inclusive of other issues they consider important, and carried out as planned. Further research is needed to determine what information is helpful for parents and how and when it should be provided.</p>