By Jon Arnold | Heart Parent & Chief Executive
We were delighted to have been involved in this important research project, led by Dr Judith Johnson & the University of Leeds, to create the first ever world guidelines for sonographers communicating unexpected news during pregancy scans. I shared my own experiences on BBC Breakfast last month. You can catch up here.
This project has meant a lot to me as I have personal experience of being a parent being on the receiving end of unexpected news – my daughter’s heart defect was first spotted at my wife’s 20 week pregnancy scan.
The way you are told about your baby’s potential condition can have a profound impact on what follows and how you as expectant parents cope with it. Our sonographer did a good job – she was honest, clear and compassionate in the way she told us about our unborn baby’s heart.
At Tiny Tickers, we hear the full range of experiences from the families we support, and also hear from sonographers about how tough it is to suddenly come across a possible problem and have to let expectant parents know without any time to prepare.
This research project has seen sonographers, psychologists, charities and parents with lived experience combine to create the world’s first set of guidelines to help sonographers with the really, really challenging task of communicating unexpected news. It’s really important work and we’re delighted to have been involved.
We are so grateful to all of you who support us week in, week out, month after month. Your support means we are able to do so much more to help babies with serious heart conditions, their families, and the NHS heroes who look after them.
Thank you for reading,
Jon
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