Experiences of women undergoing infertility treatment from embryo transfer until pregnancy test and their conceptualization of their embryo

Aim This study aims to explore women’s experiences with embryo transfer (ET) until pregnancy test and their conceptualization of their embryo. Method The sample of this descriptive phenomenology study consists of 17 women with ET. The data were collected through in-depth interviews. The thematic ana...

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Main Authors: Esra Şahiner, İlkay Boz
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2022-04-01
Series:Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynecology
Subjects:
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/0167482X.2020.1865909
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author Esra Şahiner
İlkay Boz
author_facet Esra Şahiner
İlkay Boz
author_sort Esra Şahiner
collection DOAJ
description Aim This study aims to explore women’s experiences with embryo transfer (ET) until pregnancy test and their conceptualization of their embryo. Method The sample of this descriptive phenomenology study consists of 17 women with ET. The data were collected through in-depth interviews. The thematic analysis developed by Braun and Clarke was used for data analysis. Results Analysis of the interviews led to the emergence of five themes and 14 sub-themes. The theme “pregnancy in biological terms” has two sub-themes: “considering herself pregnant” and “the first moment with the baby”. The theme “not an embryo, my child” has three sub-themes: “world of hope”, “ unnatural but normal” and “attachment to embryo”. The theme “daily life after ET” has three sub-themes: “living life in the usual way”, “process of self-listening”, and “the negative effects of drugs on the body”. The theme “seeking ways to ensure fertility” has four sub-themes: “complete bed rest”, “the search for information: the internet”, “practice an infertility diet” and “spiritual support with prayer”. Finally, the theme “caring after the transfer” has two sub-themes: “need more information” and “unmet women-oriented care”. Conclusion In this study, it was determined that women had intense physical and emotional experiences during the waiting period after ET and their daily lives were affected. It was also understood that the embryo means "baby/child/son/daughter" to them and that they establish a close bond with their embryos. Women’s needs are not sufficiently known until post-ET pregnancy testing. Explaining the experiences of women after IVF-ET and the meanings of their embryo will help determine the issues they need in holistic care.
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spelling doaj.art-249e4c4ac57044e1879d2d0be00cec182023-09-14T12:44:01ZengTaylor & Francis GroupJournal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynecology0167-482X1743-89422022-04-0143215316410.1080/0167482X.2020.18659091865909Experiences of women undergoing infertility treatment from embryo transfer until pregnancy test and their conceptualization of their embryoEsra Şahiner0İlkay Boz1Nursing Faculty, Obstetrics and Gynecology Nursing Department, Akdeniz UniversityNursing Faculty, Obstetrics and Gynecology Nursing Department, Akdeniz UniversityAim This study aims to explore women’s experiences with embryo transfer (ET) until pregnancy test and their conceptualization of their embryo. Method The sample of this descriptive phenomenology study consists of 17 women with ET. The data were collected through in-depth interviews. The thematic analysis developed by Braun and Clarke was used for data analysis. Results Analysis of the interviews led to the emergence of five themes and 14 sub-themes. The theme “pregnancy in biological terms” has two sub-themes: “considering herself pregnant” and “the first moment with the baby”. The theme “not an embryo, my child” has three sub-themes: “world of hope”, “ unnatural but normal” and “attachment to embryo”. The theme “daily life after ET” has three sub-themes: “living life in the usual way”, “process of self-listening”, and “the negative effects of drugs on the body”. The theme “seeking ways to ensure fertility” has four sub-themes: “complete bed rest”, “the search for information: the internet”, “practice an infertility diet” and “spiritual support with prayer”. Finally, the theme “caring after the transfer” has two sub-themes: “need more information” and “unmet women-oriented care”. Conclusion In this study, it was determined that women had intense physical and emotional experiences during the waiting period after ET and their daily lives were affected. It was also understood that the embryo means "baby/child/son/daughter" to them and that they establish a close bond with their embryos. Women’s needs are not sufficiently known until post-ET pregnancy testing. Explaining the experiences of women after IVF-ET and the meanings of their embryo will help determine the issues they need in holistic care.http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/0167482X.2020.1865909embryo transferconceptualization of embryophenomenological researchwomen’s experiences
spellingShingle Esra Şahiner
İlkay Boz
Experiences of women undergoing infertility treatment from embryo transfer until pregnancy test and their conceptualization of their embryo
Journal of Psychosomatic Obstetrics and Gynecology
embryo transfer
conceptualization of embryo
phenomenological research
women’s experiences
title Experiences of women undergoing infertility treatment from embryo transfer until pregnancy test and their conceptualization of their embryo
title_full Experiences of women undergoing infertility treatment from embryo transfer until pregnancy test and their conceptualization of their embryo
title_fullStr Experiences of women undergoing infertility treatment from embryo transfer until pregnancy test and their conceptualization of their embryo
title_full_unstemmed Experiences of women undergoing infertility treatment from embryo transfer until pregnancy test and their conceptualization of their embryo
title_short Experiences of women undergoing infertility treatment from embryo transfer until pregnancy test and their conceptualization of their embryo
title_sort experiences of women undergoing infertility treatment from embryo transfer until pregnancy test and their conceptualization of their embryo
topic embryo transfer
conceptualization of embryo
phenomenological research
women’s experiences
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/0167482X.2020.1865909
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