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“He looks gorgeous” – iu MR images and the transforming of foetal and parental identities
Author(s) -
Lie Mabel,
Graham Ruth,
Robson Stephen C,
Griffiths Paul D
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
sociology of health and illness
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.146
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1467-9566
pISSN - 0141-9889
DOI - 10.1111/1467-9566.12831
Subject(s) - emotive , medicine , ultrasound , magnetic resonance imaging , psychology , pregnancy , radiology , obstetrics , developmental psychology , sociology , anthropology , genetics , biology
The MERIDIAN study examined whether in‐utero MRI (iu MRI ) improves the accuracy of diagnosis of foetal brain abnormalities, when used as an adjunct to ultrasound anomaly scanning. A diagnostic iu MRI differs from routine ultrasound screening because of its infrequent use and scanning procedure. Nested within this trial, this sociological study explored the acceptability of iu MRI as a technology and its contribution to parental decision‐making. Our sociological interpretation of the role of iu MR images in prenatal diagnosis draws on narrative interviews with women (and some partners) who underwent MRI imaging at three different centres. Overall, participants found iu MRI helpful in decision‐making because it either confirmed or disconfirmed previous results, or provided additional information. Expectant couples experienced the iu MR imaging process as informative, but also as having emotive and practical value. Our paper extends the existing sociological literature on antenatal testing and visualising the foetus, by using iu MR diagnostic imaging to further explore the concept of the unborn entity. Our data suggest that alongside the iu MR images, the ‘parental gaze’ and accompanying commentary are used by parents to construct and transform foetal and parental identities despite ongoing uncertainties about, and shifting social contexts to their pregnancy.