A qualitative study of the experience of treatment for infertility among women who successfully became pregnant.

BACKGROUND

In a study in which 18,503 women who had recently given birth were interviewed, 460 women who had received treatment for infertility (2.6%) were asked to participate in a postal study. The aim was to investigate the experience of women who had undergone treatment for infertility and given birth as a consequence, focusing on perceptions of treatment and care.

METHODS

The study relies on responses to open-ended questions about the impact of treatment, how treatment could be improved and advice to policy makers. The text responses to these questions were analysed qualitatively.

RESULTS

A total of 230 women responded (50%). Emergent themes related to the treatment process, pain and distress, lack of choice and control, timing, emotional and financial costs, fairness and contrasts in care.

CONCLUSIONS

Women wished to be treated with respect and dignity and given appropriate information and support. They wanted their distress recognized, to feel cared for and to have confidence in health professionals in situations where outcomes are uncertain. Women acknowledged receiving care from motivated and skilled health professionals and value the children they have enormously. For many, there is now a sense of being complete, though for some this has been at great emotional and financial cost.