Parents who have a child diagnosed in pregnancy or after birth with an autosomal recessive genetic condition experience changes in reproductive identity.
Their feelings about themselves may shift from a position of invulnerability to reproductive vulnerability because of the realisation of serious risk to their future children.
Their wish to protect future children from harm may conflict with their wishes for prenatal testing.
Use of non-invasive prenatal testing is seen as a way to mitigate threats to fetal health, while allowing them to prepare for an affected child or consider termination of pregnancy.