| Abstract [eng] |
Every fifth or sixth couple faces infertility problems and cannot have children in Lithuania. Assisted reproductive technologies became more accessible since the Law of Assisted Fertilization of the Republic of Lithuania was adopted in September, 2016. However, while highlighting the greater possibilities of modern medical treatment for infertile people, it should be emphasized that such people inevitably face social and psychological difficulties. Infertility as well as waiting for the results of its various examination and treatment procedures, are often associated with the stress experienced by couples in need of this treatment, especially by women who are undergoing assisted reproductive procedures. The aim of this study is to reveal women experiences related to the failure of assisted reproductive procedures. The qualitative research presented in this paper aims to deepen the understanding of which essential moments (situation, events, physical/emotional aspects, interpersonal connection, self-image, coping) are singled out as subjectively significant in infertility treatment failure experience. The study is based on the experiences of six participants. Study participants are women without children who have tried or are trying to have a child with the help of aids and have already experienced failure of assisted reproductive procedure(-s). The average age of the study participants was 40 years. Women agreed to participate in the study by responding to an invitation distributed on specialised social network via Internet, including the specialized pages of the Fertility Center of the Santaros Clinics of Vilnius University Hospital and the Fertility Association. Additionally, the invitation was distributed via personal social media profiles of practicing psychologists and psychologists-psychotherapists; women were also invited to participate in the study in person. The experiences of procedural failures obtained during the in-depth semi-structured interview were analysed by A. Giorgi's method of phenomenological analysis. According to the results of the study, the failure of assisted reproductive procedures is experienced at different stages of treatment. Failure is usually experienced as a psychological crisis, causing confusion of emotions, thoughts, re-formulating the perception of self-image, identity, temporarily correcting the usual pattern of behaviour. Experience of the failure changes the style of communication, the nature of the interpersonal relationship, and the emotional connection with the spouse. This experience is valuable as an opportunity for the formation of new attitudes and for the preservation of the hope of motherhood. Keywords: assisted reproductive procedures, failure, experience, phenomenological analysis. |
