Parents’ reactions to termination of pregnancy for fetal abnormality: from a father’s point of view

Abstract

As the author of this piece I do not bring any professional expertise to the subject. Nor am I drawing on any research that has been undertaken on the experience of fathers who find themselves in this situation; indeed I am not aware that there is very much relevant research. I was the father of a malformed baby that was terminated, and what I have written largely reflects my own experience. Following the termination, my wife Celia and I became involved with Support After Termination For Abnormality (SATFA), a charity which provides support for parents who have had a termination because of an abnormality. This has brought me into contact with a number of men who have talked about their experiences. I have, to a certain extent, been able to draw on what I have heard from others to try to say something of more general interest.