OBJECTIVE: To analyse the experiences of women facing a termination of pregnancy for fetal anomaly (TOPFA) in relation to decisional aspects, attitudes towards the fetusʼ body and the effects of postpartum depression. The method is based on a two-stage questionnaire given to 120 women who underwent a TOPFA between 2005 and 2006 in a Parisian Prenatal Diagnosis Department and compared to a similar study carried out in 1999 in the same department. RESULTS: In 2005, 68/120 women (57%) compared to 32/103 (32%) in 99 (p < 0.001) believed that the decision of pregnancy termination belongs to couples and doctors together. However, in advanced pregnancy or fetal pathology related to mental deficiency, a higher proportion of women believe that the decision should belong to the parents alone. In 2005, 66% of the women (78/118) compared to (42/103) 41% in 1999 (p < 0.001), chose to see their fetus after the termination. Postpartum depression score was positive in one third of the 2005 series and higher in younger women. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that women differentiate between various decision-making actors depending on the type of pregnancy termination. The differences observed between 1999 and 2005 suggest a strong interaction between womenʼs experiences, legislation and practices. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.