Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41673608›Full record

ArticleBMC pregnancy and childbirth2026

"You think everything's fine and then it starts not being fine": a qualitative descriptive study exploring the prenatal testing experiences of Black women living in England.

Michelle Peter, Clotilde Abe, Agnes Agyepong, Atinuke Awe, Rachael Buabeng, Morgan Daniel, Melissa Dean, Jane Fisher, Sasha Henriques, Kerry Leeson-Beevers and 9 more

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Article in BMC pregnancy and childbirth, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

19 authors.

Michelle PeterNorth Thames Genomic Laboratory Hub, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, NHS Foundation Trust, Level 5, Barclay House, 37 Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BH, UK. michelle.peter@ucl.ac.uk.
Clotilde AbeFive X More, London, UK.
Agnes AgyepongGlobal Child and Maternal Health, London, UK.
Atinuke AweFive X More, London, UK.
Rachael BuabengMummy's Day Out, London, UK.
Morgan DanielNorth Thames Genomic Laboratory Hub, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, NHS Foundation Trust, Level 5, Barclay House, 37 Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BH, UK.
Melissa DeanPatient and Public Involvement Advisory Group Member, London, UK.
Jane FisherAntenatal Results and Choices, London, UK.
Sasha HenriquesWellcome Connecting Science, Cambridge, UK.
Kerry Leeson-BeeversAlström Syndrome UK, Torquay, UK.
Carol NelsonPatient and Public Involvement Advisory Group Member, London, UK.
Shermel Walters-LawrencePatient and Public Involvement Advisory Group Member, London, UK.
Leo GurneyBirmingham Women and Children's NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK.
Siobhan HoltLiverpool Women's NHS Foundation Trust, Liverpool, UK.
Celine LewisPopulation, Policy & Practice, University College London, London, UK.
Panicos ShangarisWomen and Children's Health, School of Life Course & Population Sciences, Kings College London, London, UK.
Dagmar TaponImperial College Hospital NHS Trust, London, UK.
Lyn S ChittyNorth Thames Genomic Laboratory Hub, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, NHS Foundation Trust, Level 5, Barclay House, 37 Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BH, UK.
Melissa HillNorth Thames Genomic Laboratory Hub, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, NHS Foundation Trust, Level 5, Barclay House, 37 Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BH, UK.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundIn the UK, Black women are disproportionately impacted by adverse pregnancy and maternal outcomes whilst also being underrepresented in research. Understanding their experiences of being offered prenatal screening and diagnostic genetic testing (prenatal testing) for a range of genetic and chromosomal conditions is critical for offering equitable prenatal care.

methodsThis qualitative descriptive study used semi-structured interviews to examine the experiences of prenatal testing amongst 39 women of Black and mixed Black heritage living in England. Discussions were analysed using thematic analysis and examined using a Critical Race Theory lens.

resultsFour themes were identified: (1) An emotional journey from screening to results, (2) Navigating unequal systems, (3) Anchors and absences, and (4) Envisioning better care. Screening was valued but often accepted because it was viewed as routine. Discussions about potential outcomes were perceived as limited, leaving some women unprepared for high-chance results. Diagnostic testing was pursued to reduce uncertainty and to prepare emotionally and practically—especially in the context of sickle cell. However, some felt pressured in their choices. Invasive procedures were described as frightening, waiting for results was a time of high anxiety and outcomes brought either intense relief or devastation. Care received was inconsistent: experiences of compassion contrasted with paternalism, and racism. Faith and family sometimes provided strength, but the lack of referral to structured support during testing represented a significant gap in care.

conclusionsBlack women valued prenatal testing for the choice it offered, but their experiences could be undermined by routinisation, paternalism, clinician knowledge gaps, and structural racism. Strengthening pre-test counselling, training, and support pathways is essential to ensure prenatal testing services are equitable and raise standards of care for all families.

Indexed as

Black PeopleGenetic TestingPregnant PeoplePrenatal DiagnosisAdultEnglandFemaleHumansPregnancyPrenatal CareQualitative ResearchAntenatal screeningBlack womenGenetic testingHealth equityMaternal healthPrenatal testingQualitative analysisRace/ethnicity

Identifiers

PMID41673608
PMCPMC12997695

What Socratic holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.