When protagonists mobilise the same frame
In several cases, the medico-scientific expertise frame is common to
both practitioners and women – the latter are often already informed
but require additional information to make or confirm their decision.
The protagonists thus engage in continuous and fluid interactions, the
scientific and technical content of which is rooted in evidence-based
medicine.
In the following extract, a couple has been referred to the French
provincial centre for a risk of DS of 1:130. The woman wants more
information about the risk of miscarriage, which the midwife estimated
to be 1:200. The woman initiates the dialogue and concludes with her
decision to have the amniocentesis:
Woman: “It is very important to me to understand what you are
telling me. If we don’t understand, the decision is not very informed”.
The midwife writes her calculation on a piece of paper. X=100/130. The
woman uses her calculator: “That gives 0.77. There is a 0.77
chance out of 100 that there is a problem [with the foetus]”.