O-223. Counselling and support are essential in the daily in-vitro fertilization treatment scheme

When two are a family: looking backward and looking forward in a group intervention with single‐by‐choice mothers

“…Not living according to this social norm may constitute a serious blow to the woman's self‐esteem, and create a sense of failure to fulfil herself as a woman and disappointment at being unable to fulfil the expectations of her family, as well as her own (Landau, 2001; Miall, 1986; Remennick, 2000). Ironically, when she tries to fulfil these expectations and join the social norm by becoming pregnant and establishing a family on her own, she often faces the ambivalence of her family and friends, and receives insufficient support (Bar Hava, 1999). The high need of SBC mothers for social, psychological and practical support has been amply demonstrated (Abel, 1996; Mannis, 1997; Pakizegi, 1990).…”

“…For SBC mothers the extremely intimate moment of impregnation is taken over by technology and alienation. Often the fertility process necessitates hormone treatment or IVF which entails considerable physical and emotional pain, and these painful experiences are often undergone alone, without any social support (Bar Hava, 1999; Bierman et al ., 1991; Leitman, 1996).…”

“…Being a single mother is often not the mother's preferred choice. Many have had to give up their original wish of founding a family based on an intimate couple relationship (Bar Hava, 2000). Although there have been changes in social norms concerning family models, there are still powerful norms and beliefs with regard to pregnancy and childbearing as being grounded in intimacy, love and desire (Blankenhorn, 1995;Ehrensaft, 2000;Millett, 1990;Popenoe, 1996).…”