Women's experiences of infertility – towards a relational model of care

Abstract

Psychosocial skills are recognised as core competences for fertility nurses. A relational conceptualisation of patient's experiences, living with and through infertility, provides further information for the development of staff and enhanced knowledge and practice skills.

Spiritual aspects of living with infertility: A synthesis of qualitative studies

“…Studies were conducted in the UK ( n = 5), USA ( n = 4), Africa ( n = 4), Iran ( n = 3), Australia ( n = 2), Pakistan ( n = 2), Portugal ( n = 1), Israel ( n = 1), China ( n = 1), Italy ( n = 1), India ( n = 1) and Taiwan ( n = 1). A multinational approach was addressed in two online studies (Cunningham & Cunningham, ; Toscano & Montgomery, ). Two articles simultaneously presented English and Pakistani participants (Batool & Visser, ) and English and Iranian individuals (Roudsari & Allan, ).…”

Experiences of Spanish women undergoing hysterosalpingography as part of the infertility process: a phenomenological study

“…).Nonetheless and regardless of who performs the procedure, patient‐centred care could increase users’ satisfaction (Dancet et al . , Cunningham & Cunningham ) and this should be considered the cornerstone when designing and providing services to people involved in the infertility process.…”

“…Some authors have suggested that nurses and midwives should do research on infertile people who undergo infertility treatment and assisted reproduction techniques in their practice (Wilson & Leese ). Understanding these women's experiences may help nurses and physicians to offer better patient‐centred care (Cunningham & Cunningham ).…”

Lost in transition: Women experiencing infertility

“…While there are many coping strategies that might be employed to try to come to terms with the experience of infertility (Callan & Hennessey, 2011), these strategies must be further developed, adapted and applied within, through and beyond the clinic. A model of care is required that recognises experience in transition (Cunningham & Cunningham, 2013) and regardless of treatment out-come. The fertility nurse may have an important role to play within this supportive framework.…”

“…At the same time, many women negotiate the normative expectations surrounding fertility and reproductive success, often beginning in childhood and emphasising the social condition of infertility (Cunningham & Cunningham, 2013). As the following section illustrates, earlier life course assumptions and anticipations are both condensed and heightened during this period, affecting the ability to adapt and transition through and beyond treatment.…”