Reproductive and sexual Health of surrogate mothers, developing a care program: a protocol for mixed methods study

Abstract

Background Gestational surrogacy is one of the options for women whom pregnancy is contraindicated. Despite of increasing demand for gestational surrogacy, its various aspects are controversial. The unique nature of surrogacy causes surrogate mothers to face a variety of problems such as, ethical confusion, psychological disturbance and reproductive health matters. Therefore, it is necessary to develop a comprehensive care program for reproductive and sexual health providing specific care at prenatal and pregnancy as well as delivery and postpartum period in socio- cultural context of Iran. Methods This research is an exploratory study with the qualitative-quantitative sequencing design (mixed) that is consisted of three sequential phases. In the first phase, following a qualitative approach, the researcher will explain needs of reproductive and sexual health in surrogate mothers. In the second phase, a primary reproductive and sexual health care program is designed for surrogate mothers in which, in addition to using the qualitative study results, related papers and texts will be also used. In the third phase of the study, reproductive and sexual health care program will be evaluated by RAND method (RAM). Discussion The results of this mixed method study are expected to lead to the development of a reproductive and sexual health care program meeting the needs of surrogate mothers and are in accordance with the cultural conditions of the research community, ultimately leading to improvement in reproductive and sexual health of surrogate mothers.

A reproductive health-care program for surrogate mothers

“…A draft for reproductive health care program in surrogate mothers was then designed by combining ndings of qualitative study and reviewing the literature (13) . The appropriateness of each care in this program was then assessed using a modi ed two-rounds Delphi technique (RAM).…”

“…A draft for reproductive health-care program in surrogate mothers was then designed by combining findings of qualitative study and reviewing the literature. [ 13 ] The appropriateness of each care in this program was then assessed using a modified two-round Delphi technique (RAM). The Delphi method had two rounds, first, each care was individually scored by the relevant professionals, and second, scoring was conducted in a face-to-face group discussion.…”

Development and validation of a clinical guideline for responding to child sexual abuse in Iran: a mixed-methods study protocol

“…Many Iranian groups have used a mixed-methods approach and a variety of techniques to develop guidelines and protocols. For example, clinical guideline for sexual and reproductive health of surrogate mothers by Goli et al [35], Sexual and reproductive health of breast cancer survivors by Roshandel et al [36]. Empowering married adolescent girls in reproductive health by Allahverdizadeh et al [37].…”

Development and validation of a guideline on sexual and reproductive health of breast cancer survivors in Iran: a mixed methods study protocol

“…Mixed methods approaches are currently being used by a number of Iranian study groups to develop multiple guidelines (e.g. sexual and reproductive health of surrogate mothers [ 35 ], perinatal palliative care for women with foetal anomaly diagnosis [ 36 ], and improving the childbirth experiences of Iranian women [ 37 ]).…”