[Patients' and professionals'opinions on third trimester termination of pregnancy].

The aims of this paper are to present a review of the literature on the patients'and professionals'opinions about third trimester termination of pregnancy and to give the main results of two studies that we have recently conducted. On the whole, publications indicate that the patients'distress is not linked with the moment when pregnancy is terminated. However questions about the fetus death, in utero feticide, and the organization of funerals remain sensitive and communication with patients on these matters needs to be improved. Studies in other countries indicate that professionals are not prepared to recommend late terminations of pregnancy mainly because the fetus is viable and should be considered as a patient. The mother's and the couple's point of view seem not to be enough taken into account. French obstetricians seem to consider more acceptable third trimester TOP than their european colleagues. For them, not setting a limit to the gestational age allows more thorough evaluation of the diagnosis and more parental reflection. They mention major ethical dilemmas, independently from gestational age, and suggest that current practices should be openly debated.