Spoken Through Desire: Maternal Subjectivity and Assisted Reproduction

Psy.D., Tracy L. Simon

doi:10.1080/15240657.2013.848321

Cited by 4 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 10 publications

(8 reference statements)

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“…ART has become quite prevalent, yet, if unsuccessful, this practice may result in disappointment for intended parents. For example, ART was found to be as equally disappointing and painful as the experience of infertility itself (Simon, 2013). Stress levels associated with ART treatments have been compared to those following the death of a family member (Papadatou et al, 2016).…”

Section: Assisted Reproduction Hurdlesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Motherhood and assisted reproduction in a religious context: Genes, stigma and supports in Utah, United States

Gezinski¹,

Carlsen

Hawkins

2021

Health Soc Care Community

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Six percent of cisgender (i.e. not transgender) women aged 15-44 are considered infertile in the United States, and 12% are unable to carry a pregnancy to term. For those who yearn to create a family despite these circumstances, assisted reproductive technology (ART) is an often-utilised resource. Though faith-based institutions have been referenced as a source of support for involuntarily childless adults, it is unclear how religious doctrine, especially that which prizes 'traditional' gender roles and genetic parenthood, may be a catalyst for distress. More research is needed to understand how the socio-cultural environment affects those who are unable to conceive without assistance. Therefore, the purpose of this research study was to understand the lived experiences of women who have utilised assisted reproduction in a particularly pronatalist, religious cultural context in the United States. From March to September 2017, in-depth interviews were conducted with 10 cisgender women who had utilised ART. Data analysis was conducted in NVivo 10 and consisted of line-by-line analysis, identifying themes, coding categories and developing matrices to uncover relationships between themes and categories. The quest for motherhood was truly a journey for the study participants who experienced rumination and self-blame due to their inability to become pregnant. This was rooted in their socio-cultural context. Thus, the study findings suggest that culture and stigma are linked with women's distress regarding their inability to become pregnant and results in distancing from other women. Genetic parenthood was prized initially, but this desire decreased over time. While past research suggests that infertility strains relationships, our study found that the turmoil of infertility and assisted reproduction actually strengthened couple relationships. Counselling was described as particularly helpful, but it is needed throughout the assisted reproduction process. The inclusion of religion and spirituality, for those who identify as such, in counselling would be beneficial.

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Section: Assisted Reproduction Hurdlesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Motherhood and assisted reproduction in a religious context: Genes, stigma and supports in Utah, United States

Gezinski¹,

Carlsen

Hawkins

2021

Health Soc Care Community

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show abstract

“…Psychologists have begun to study families created with assisted conception emphasizing the possibilities for new "modern families" and understanding their strengths (Gentile, 2013;Golombok, 2015;Simon, 2013). There is solid evidence that "the kids are all right" (Gilbert & Cholodenko, 2010).…”

mentioning

confidence: 98%

“…In the selection process there is potential for the donor to be cast as a substitute for the mother or idealized as an enhanced version of her. It is also possible that the donor can be experienced as a competitor or a threat (Higgins, 2006;Simon, 2013).…”

mentioning

confidence: 98%

The Possibilities and Pitfalls of Talking about Conception with Donor Egg: Why Parents Struggle and How Clinicians Can Help

Freeman-Carroll¹

2016

Journal of Infant, Child, and Adolescent Psychotherapy

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An Introduction, In Parts

Pellegrini

2019

Studies in Gender and Sexuality

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This article introduces a portfolio of three essays on the theme "What difference does the digital make?" These essays were originally given as talks at an annual forum co-hosted by this journal and the Center for the Study of Gender and Sexuality at New York University. After briefly laying out the concerns of these three essays, this article introduces and summarizes the essays that make up the second half of this issue of Studies in Gender and Sexuality.

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Spoken Through Desire: Maternal Subjectivity and Assisted Reproduction

Cited by 4 publications

References 10 publications

Motherhood and assisted reproduction in a religious context: Genes, stigma and supports in Utah, United States

Motherhood and assisted reproduction in a religious context: Genes, stigma and supports in Utah, United States

The Possibilities and Pitfalls of Talking about Conception with Donor Egg: Why Parents Struggle and How Clinicians Can Help

An Introduction, In Parts

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