Treatment decision making in anonymous donor eggin-vitrofertilisation: A qualitative study of childless women and women with genetically related children

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyse donor egg recipients' anticipatory concerns and feelings and to consider how these relate to their decision to enter into treatment. The women were divided into two groups: those who were childless and those with a genetically related child or children. In-depth interviews were carried out with seven women on the waiting list for the egg donation treatment programme at the Lister Hospital in London. The participants with children expressed reservations and anxiety about proceeding with treatment and this created 'a state of dilemma' but the possibility of treatment led to a pressure to proceed. In contrast, the prospect of treatment for the childless participants gave rise to feelings of excitement and hope of finally having a baby and their quest took on the form of a personal mission and they expressed very few reservations about the treatment. This was a small qualitative study but in terms of egg donation research, the distinction seen here between women seeking to be first time mothers and those attempting to build a new family or complete an existing one, warrants further attention and has implications for pre-treatment counselling.

The Human Responses and Nursing Diagnoses of Those Living With Infertility: A Qualitative Systematic Review

“…Samples were composed of women (n = 19), a mixture of couples with single women or men (n = 15), or exclusively of men (n = 3). In two studies the gender was not clearly described (Garel et al, 2009;Stuart-Smith, Smith, & Scott, 2011). Samples ranged from two participants (Phillips, Elander, & Montague, 2014) to 50 participants (Isupova, 2011).…”

How Couples' Experiences prior to the Start of Infertility Treatment with Donor Gametes Influence the Disclosure Decision

“…As at this stage a future pregnancy is by no means guaranteed, it seems difficult for couples to reflect on future family functioning and the disclosure issue [7,8,9,10]. Moreover, it has been suggested that infertility patients may avoid difficult subjects about their future family life in a defensive, superstitious attempt ‘not to jinx' their pregnancy chances [11].…”

The experience of counselling for UK egg providers

“…To date, the majority of research on counselling during egg donation has focussed on recipient rather than donor experiences (Jadva et al, 2011; Stuart‐Smith et al, 2011, 2012), highlighting a need for further exploration of the experiences of those who provide eggs. Gaining a better understanding of donors' experiences is needed to ensure that a good standard of provision is met and is appropriately tailored to donors' needs.…”

“…To date, the majority of research on counselling during egg donation has focussed on recipient rather than donor experiences (Jadva et al, 2011;Stuart-Smith et al, 2011, 2012, highlighting a need for further exploration of the experiences of those who provide eggs.…”