Amniocentesis provides the opportunity for a women to receive information about the presence or absence of specific aberrations in her developing fetus. Because amniocentesis is increasing in use as an prenatal testing procedure, information about emotion and coping in women undergoing the procedure can be an essential part of the nursing care provided to pregnant women.

This descriptive study focused on emotions and coping behaviors present at three points during the amniocentesis process; before the test, after the test while awaiting the results, and after the results were known. A volunteer convenience sample of 60 women who were undergoing a first amniocentesis in the second trimester of pregnancy participated in the study.

Participants completed a demographic profile and an amniocentesis information survey upon entry into the study. An emotion scale, developed by Folkman and Lazarus, and the Jalowiec Coping Scale were administered at three points during the study. Ten of the study participants were also interviewed.

Participants were predominately Caucasian, married, protestant, and had some college experience. The sample had a mean age of 36 years and age was the reason the majority of the women gave for undergoing amniocentesis.

Results of the statistical analysis showed that emotions included in the subscales of benefit (F = 24.22, p $<$ 0.,001) and challenge (F = 4.79, p $<$ 0.05) continued to increase significantly over time. Emotions encompassed in the threat (F = 5.69, p $<$ 0.005) subscales decreased significantly over time. Harm emotions (F = 1.15, p $>$ 0.05) did not change significantly. Analysis showed a significant decrease in the coping behavior subscales over time: confrontive (F = 7.76, p $<$ 0.001), palliative (F = 8.64, p $<$ 0.0005), and emotive (F = 13.88, p $<$ 0.001). Regression of the information score on the emotion and coping scale scores demonstrated that there was no significant relationship between these variables.

Notable findings include the high level of positive emotions and problem-focused coping strategies present throughout the amniocentesis process. The study showed that previous information level had no effect on emotion and coping scores and, therefore, it was concluded that interventions need to include an affective component. Further research was recommended to investigate the qualitative finding that women who undergo amniocentesis are vigilant copers and that differences in emotion scores may involve differences in decision making approaches.