Experiences of Preconception, Pregnancy, and New Motherhood for Lesbian Nonbiological Mothers

Pride and Prejudice : Lesbian Families in Contemporary Sweden

“…A first and most pervasive decision to make is whether to become a parent or to remain child-free (Mezey, 2008;Wall, 2013). Once the decision to parent is grounded, the prospective mother(s) might consider several routs to parenthood depending on social conventions, personal preferences and values, legal access and economic resources etcetera (Mezey, 2008; see also Ryan-Flood, 2009;Wojnar & Katzenmeyer, 2014). One route to parenthood is to apply for adoption or to have foster children (Ausbrooks & Russel, 2011;Averett, Nalavany, & Ryan, 2009;Brown, Smalling, Groza & Ryan, 2009;Farr & Patterson, 2009;Goldberg, 2009;Goldberg, Downing & Sauck, 2007;Goldberg, Moyer, Kinkler & Richardson, 2012;Goldberg & Smith, 2011;Mallon, 2011;Ross et al, 2008;Ross, Epstein, Anderson, & Eady, 2009;Ryan & Whitlock, 2007;Woodford et al, 2010).…”

“…Others choose assisted reproduction and may have donor insemination or IVF. For a couple, this path to parenthood means that the partners have to decide which of them will get pregnant (first), a choice that gives the mothers different parental roles as birth mother and non-birth mother, which must be negotiated (Abelsohn, Epstein & Ross, 2013;Hayman, Wilkes, Halcomb, & Jackson, 2013;Wojnar & Katzenmeyer, 2014; see also Ryan, 2013). Donated semen could be provided through sperm banks and fertility clinics, where the donor is anonymous to the parents and the child (Chabot & Ames, 2004;Donovan & Wilson, 2008;Frith, Sawyer & Kramer, 2012;Nordqvist, 2012Nordqvist, , 2014Vanfraussen, Ponjaert-Kristoffersen & Brewaeys, 2001).…”

Sexual Health Care Services Among Young Adult Sexual Minority Women

“…Like other health behaviors, outcomes, and services, SMW share many of the same risks and concerns to sexual health as their heterosexual peers (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 2012; United States Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Women’s Health, 2009). Like heterosexual women, SMW require routine breast and pelvic exams (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, 2013), should be screened for STIs, and may need help preventing or achieving pregnancy (Wojnar & Katzenmeyer, 2014). Nevertheless, despite overwhelming similarities in the sexual health care needs between sexual minority and heterosexual women, recent studies suggest YSMW are less likely than heterosexual young adults to receive needed reproductive health care (Agénor, Krieger, Austin, Haneuse, & Gottlieb, 2014b; Charlton et al, 2011; Kerr, Ding, & Thompson, 2013; Matthews, Brandenburg, Johnson, & Hughes, 2004).…”

Hearing the Silenced Voices of Underserved Women

“…For example, when caring for a lesbian patient, use of the term “social mother” or “non-birth mother” to describe the female partner of a woman who has given birth may be offensive as it may be seen as minimizing their role as a mother. 23,24 LB women have also described the importance of a supportive clinic environment (e.g., use of gender-neutral language on clinic forms, use of supportive language, appropriate emotional support) as well as the inclusion of their partners in their reproductive health care. 25 For example, in a qualitative study by Wojnar & Katzenmeyer (2013) one lesbian woman described her concern about being treated differently by her physician: “Because we were different … I felt I had to be perfect … I dressed neatly and I was really supportive to my partner.…”

“…25 For example, in a qualitative study by Wojnar & Katzenmeyer (2013) one lesbian woman described her concern about being treated differently by her physician: “Because we were different … I felt I had to be perfect … I dressed neatly and I was really supportive to my partner. I was afraid a nurse or a doctor would come into the room and judge that same-sex couples who decided to have babies are not good to each other or that I don’t know how to be a supportive partner in labor or postpartum period.” 24 Overall, it appears that providing a supportive environment for LBQ women’s reproductive care is vital as LBQ women’s negative interactions with their health care providers may play a large role in these women not seeking routine gynecologic care. 22 …”