Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42854104›Full record

ArticleNursing open2026

Mothers' Experiences From Prenatal Diagnosis to Home Following Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia: A Qualitative Study.

Morena Terracciano, Cristina Lumia, Filippo Binda, Chiara Grossi, Barbara Sappa, Anastasia Giri, Nicola Persico, Antonella Nespoli

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Nursing open, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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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

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

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

8 authors.

Morena TerraccianoDepartment of Healthcare Professions, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0007-2396-0548
Cristina LumiaSchool of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0007-9091-009X
Filippo BindaDepartment of Healthcare Professions, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2937-2698
Chiara GrossiDepartment of Healthcare Professions, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0006-3841-8033
Barbara SappaDepartment of Healthcare Professions, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0000-7339-6702
Anastasia GiriFetal Medicine and Surgery Service, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0002-7685-4638
Nicola PersicoFetal Medicine and Surgery Service, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9028-9597
Antonella NespoliSchool of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0288-667X

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

aimTo explore the experiences of mothers who completed the care pathway following a diagnosis of congenital diaphragmatic hernia and identify implications for nursing and midwifery practice.

designA qualitative descriptive phenomenological study.

methodsSemi-structured interviews were conducted in February 2023 with 21 mothers who had completed the congenital diaphragmatic hernia care pathway between 2019 and 2022 at an academic referral hospital for fetal surgery in Northern Italy. Women whose pregnancy was not carried to term, those who experienced fetal or neonatal loss, and those receiving ongoing psychological support were not included. Data were analysed thematically using a descriptive phenomenological approach.

resultsFive themes were identified across diagnosis, decision-making, specialised care, childbirth, and the postnatal transition home. Mothers experienced the pathway as interconnected transitions characterised by uncertainty, repeated adaptation, and changes in the maternal role. Specialist counselling improved clarity but did not eliminate prognostic uncertainty. Midwives emerged as central relational figures during childbirth, while mothers highlighted communication, parental involvement, continuity, and preparation for discharge.

conclusionAmong mothers represented in this study, informational, emotional, relational, and practical needs evolved from prenatal diagnosis to home care but remained closely interconnected. IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROFESSION AND/OR PATIENT CARE: Nursing and midwifery priorities may include reinforcing complex information, preparing women for childbirth and possible neonatal separation, facilitating parental involvement, and supporting readiness for home care. IMPACT: The study addresses limited understanding of how maternal needs evolve across the congenital diaphragmatic hernia care continuum. Uncertainty, adaptation, and changes in the maternal role persisted across successive transitions. Findings may inform nursing, midwifery, and multidisciplinary support across fetal, maternity, neonatal, and community care. REPORTING

methodThe COREQ checklist guided reporting. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: Mothers contributed as study participants by sharing their experiences; they were not involved in study design, analysis, or manuscript preparation.

Indexed as

Hernias, Diaphragmatic, CongenitalMothersPrenatal DiagnosisAdultFemaleHumansItalyPregnancyQualitative Researchcongenital diaphragmatic herniafetal surgerymidwiferypatient‐centred carepregnancy complicationsqualitative research

Identifiers

PMID42854104
PMCPMC13652513

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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 OpenQuestion graph.