Women’s emotional roller coasters during pregnancy as a consequence of infertility: a qualitative phenomenological study

Abstract

AbstractWomen experiencing infertility tend to experience distinct emotions during pregnancy following infertility. Individuals in this population often struggle with psychological and social challenges during pregnancy. This qualitative phenomenological study determines how infertility experiences affect mothers’ mental well-being during pregnancy as well as their experiences and emotions after becoming pregnant. A face-to-face, in-depth interview with 15 women with infertility was conducted between November 2022 and May 2023. The study adhered to ethical guidelines, with informed written consent obtained prior to interviews and voice recordings. The COREQ checklist is applied to follow the EQUATOR guidelines for reporting research and the data were coded using MAXQDA.20 software. A thematic analysis revealed four main themes and 15 codes. Main themes included “Over Emotional Burden,” “Overprotection,” “Overthinking,” and “Social Activity Changes.” Pregnancy after infertility is a unique and emotionally charged experience for women, encompassing a spectrum of feelings that can be difficult to express. The importance of caring for these women and receiving support from their partners, families, and healthcare providers should not be overstated. Healthcare providers should be aware of these emotional challenges so they can provide better support and counselling to improve women’s overall pregnancy experience. It is believed that empathetic communication and tailored support can significantly improve the psychological well-being of this population. Psychologists, psychiatrists, and midwives should also be more attentive to mothers’ emotional challenges and integrate comprehensive emotional support and provide coping mechanisms in perinatal care programs.