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Background: Down syndrome (DS) screening has been made available to all pregnant women in France since 1997. In the event of Down syndrome being diagnosed, the most women consider the possibility of a therapeutic abortion. The diagnosis' result is given after amniocentesis. Aim: To explore the personal experience of women of a DS risk group, while awaiting the diagnosis. Design: A qualitative study, based on interviews with 13 patients having undergone an amniocentesis after being identified as belonging to a higher DS risk group and for whom the final results were negative. Results: Patients' knowledge of the subject is both insufficient and vague. There is a common confusion between screening and diagnosis testing. It would appear that medical information on these issues is somewhat incomplete. Pregnant women agree to undergo analysis of their maternal serum markers in order to reassure themselves and do not expect an unfavourable result. The announcement of the possibility of giving birth to a trisomic baby is followed by a period of stress during which the subjects tend to dissociate themselves from their pregnancy and consider the possibility of a therapeutic abortion. Conclusion: DS screening is not a simple process. The anxiety generated by the result of such testing is clearly palpable. The iatrogenic nature of screening should also be considered. Would improving medical information on the subject help reducing its deleterious impact? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]