A reproductive health-care program for surrogate mothers: A mixed methods study

BACKGROUND: Surrogacy has become an alternative family formation option for women who are unable to carry a pregnancy. There is no comprehensive care program despite the different nature of this pregnancy. The present study aimed to develop a reproductive health-care program for surrogate mothers wi...

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Main Authors: Marjan Goli, Shahnaz Kohan, Seiied Mahdi Ahmadi Oloonabadi, Ziba Farajzadegan, Zeinab Heidari
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2022-01-01
Series:Journal of Education and Health Promotion
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.jehp.net/article.asp?issn=2277-9531;year=2022;volume=11;issue=1;spage=250;epage=250;aulast=Goli
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author Marjan Goli
Shahnaz Kohan
Seiied Mahdi Ahmadi Oloonabadi
Ziba Farajzadegan
Zeinab Heidari
author_facet Marjan Goli
Shahnaz Kohan
Seiied Mahdi Ahmadi Oloonabadi
Ziba Farajzadegan
Zeinab Heidari
author_sort Marjan Goli
collection DOAJ
description BACKGROUND: Surrogacy has become an alternative family formation option for women who are unable to carry a pregnancy. There is no comprehensive care program despite the different nature of this pregnancy. The present study aimed to develop a reproductive health-care program for surrogate mothers within the cultural and social context of Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the present sequential exploratory mixed methods study, first through a qualitative approach surrogate mothers, care providers, and policy makers of reproductive health services were selected purposefully. Data were collected by using the in-depth semi-structured interviews and analyzed. A care program draft was designed by integrating results of the qualitative study and reviewing the literature and guidelines, then appropriateness of each proposed care was assessed by a two-Rounds Delphi technique (RAM), and the final reproductive health-care program for surrogate mothers was developed. RESULTS: The surrogate mothers' reproductive health needs were summarized in four main categories: surrogate mothers' extra care, educational training, psychological support, and protecting against surrogacy's social and familial consequences. The reproductive health-care program for surrogate mothers were developed in four sections: prepregnancy health screenings and legal counseling; special care during embryo transfer until pregnancy confirmation; psychological support and prenatal care of surrogacy until delivery and follow-up postpartum care. CONCLUSION: Women face many challenges in surrogacy and need special care such as legal counseling, reproductive health care, and psychological support. Implementation of this care program seems to help improve the reproductive health of these mothers.
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spelling doaj.art-1f2d73a7a98b45fb837a6908811087ce2022-12-22T03:11:54ZengWolters Kluwer Medknow PublicationsJournal of Education and Health Promotion2277-95312022-01-0111125025010.4103/jehp.jehp_437_21A reproductive health-care program for surrogate mothers: A mixed methods studyMarjan GoliShahnaz KohanSeiied Mahdi Ahmadi OloonabadiZiba FarajzadeganZeinab HeidariBACKGROUND: Surrogacy has become an alternative family formation option for women who are unable to carry a pregnancy. There is no comprehensive care program despite the different nature of this pregnancy. The present study aimed to develop a reproductive health-care program for surrogate mothers within the cultural and social context of Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the present sequential exploratory mixed methods study, first through a qualitative approach surrogate mothers, care providers, and policy makers of reproductive health services were selected purposefully. Data were collected by using the in-depth semi-structured interviews and analyzed. A care program draft was designed by integrating results of the qualitative study and reviewing the literature and guidelines, then appropriateness of each proposed care was assessed by a two-Rounds Delphi technique (RAM), and the final reproductive health-care program for surrogate mothers was developed. RESULTS: The surrogate mothers' reproductive health needs were summarized in four main categories: surrogate mothers' extra care, educational training, psychological support, and protecting against surrogacy's social and familial consequences. The reproductive health-care program for surrogate mothers were developed in four sections: prepregnancy health screenings and legal counseling; special care during embryo transfer until pregnancy confirmation; psychological support and prenatal care of surrogacy until delivery and follow-up postpartum care. CONCLUSION: Women face many challenges in surrogacy and need special care such as legal counseling, reproductive health care, and psychological support. Implementation of this care program seems to help improve the reproductive health of these mothers.http://www.jehp.net/article.asp?issn=2277-9531;year=2022;volume=11;issue=1;spage=250;epage=250;aulast=Golicare programmixed methods researchqualitative studyreproductive healthsurrogacysurrogate mother
spellingShingle Marjan Goli
Shahnaz Kohan
Seiied Mahdi Ahmadi Oloonabadi
Ziba Farajzadegan
Zeinab Heidari
A reproductive health-care program for surrogate mothers: A mixed methods study
Journal of Education and Health Promotion
care program
mixed methods research
qualitative study
reproductive health
surrogacy
surrogate mother
title A reproductive health-care program for surrogate mothers: A mixed methods study
title_full A reproductive health-care program for surrogate mothers: A mixed methods study
title_fullStr A reproductive health-care program for surrogate mothers: A mixed methods study
title_full_unstemmed A reproductive health-care program for surrogate mothers: A mixed methods study
title_short A reproductive health-care program for surrogate mothers: A mixed methods study
title_sort reproductive health care program for surrogate mothers a mixed methods study
topic care program
mixed methods research
qualitative study
reproductive health
surrogacy
surrogate mother
url http://www.jehp.net/article.asp?issn=2277-9531;year=2022;volume=11;issue=1;spage=250;epage=250;aulast=Goli
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