Becoming a Mother after Infertility: A Theoretical Analysis

In order to have a baby due to infertility, couples often resort to assisted reproduction therapy. In cases of pregnancy, even if the meaning of pregnancy is a happy and enjoyable process for these couples, the burden of infertility diagnosis and treatments can turn into a challenging process. Especially women can experience emotions such as not accepting pregnancy, fear of losing their baby, worrying about their health, uncertainty. It is known that pregnant women after infertility treatment can be ignored among spontaneous pregnancies. In qualitative studies at international literature, pregnant women with assisted reproductive treatments do not easily adjust to gestation and postpartum period. With this review, the experiences of the mother who became pregnant after infertility treatment were reviewed and analyzed theoretically

Experiences of perinatal nurses regarding compassion fatigue and compassion satisfaction: a phenomenological study

Aim This study aims to understand the essence of perinatal nurses’ experiences, thoughts, and feelings on compassion satisfaction and compassion fatigue. Methods The descriptive phenomenological design was used in this study. Data were collected at in-depth interviews with 16 perinatal nurses. The thematic analysis method was used in data analysis. Results Five main themes and 14 subthemes were determined. The first theme ‘Compassionate Caring Behaviors’ has four subthemes: affectionate behaviors, responsiveness to women’ needs, and authentic informing. The theme of ‘Gains of Compassionate Care’ has two subthemes: easier with same-sex patients and achieving moral satisfaction. The theme of ‘The Other Side of Care’ contained the subthemes not being understood, challenging care moments, specific nursing expectations, and a demanding work environment. The theme of “Relieving Burden of Care’ has three subthemes trying to understand, taking deliberate breaks in communication, and coping with the experience. The last theme ‘Cost of Caring: Compassion Fatigue’ has two subthemes: avoiding women and multidimensional fatigue. Conclusion This study concluded that perinatal nurses were satisfied with compassionate care, caring for same-sex patients, and achieving moral satisfaction increased their compassion satisfaction while witnessing challenging care moments such as fetal loss, and a demanding work environment triggered compassion fatigue

Experiences of women undergoing infertility treatment from embryo transfer until pregnancy test and their conceptualization of their embryo

Aim This study aims to explore women’s experiences with embryo transfer (ET) until pregnancy test and their conceptualization of their embryo. Method The sample of this descriptive phenomenology study consists of 17 women with ET. The data were collected through in-depth interviews. The thematic analysis developed by Braun and Clarke was used for data analysis. Results Analysis of the interviews led to the emergence of five themes and 14 sub-themes. The theme “pregnancy in biological terms” has two sub-themes: “considering herself pregnant” and “the first moment with the baby”. The theme “not an embryo, my child” has three sub-themes: “world of hope”, “ unnatural but normal” and “attachment to embryo”. The theme “daily life after ET” has three sub-themes: “living life in the usual way”, “process of self-listening”, and “the negative effects of drugs on the body”. The theme “seeking ways to ensure fertility” has four sub-themes: “complete bed rest”, “the search for information: the internet”, “practice an infertility diet” and “spiritual support with prayer”. Finally, the theme “caring after the transfer” has two sub-themes: “need more information” and “unmet women-oriented care”. Conclusion In this study, it was determined that women had intense physical and emotional experiences during the waiting period after ET and their daily lives were affected. It was also understood that the embryo means "baby/child/son/daughter" to them and that they establish a close bond with their embryos. Women’s needs are not sufficiently known until post-ET pregnancy testing. Explaining the experiences of women after IVF-ET and the meanings of their embryo will help determine the issues they need in holistic care

Experiences of gynecologic oncology nurses regarding caring behaviors: a hermeneutic phenomenological study

Purpose This study aims to explore the caring behaviors experiences of gynecologic oncology nurses. Methods This study was conducted with phenomenological hermeneutical approach. This study was carried out 14 nurses working on women with gynecologic cancer. Data were collected through individual interview method by using semi-structured interview guide. Data were analyzed using a phenomenological hermeneutical method. Results Caring behaviors experiences of gynecologic oncology nurses were explained by the themes “missed caring behaviors”, “transition from work-centered to care-centered approach”, and “transition to caring-healing approach”. The first theme, “missed caring behaviors” included two subthemes: “focusing on routines” and “superficial relationships”. The second theme, “transition from routine to care-centered” included three subthemes: “barrier perception”, “off the record” and “controlled attachment”. The last theme, “transition to caring-healing” consisted of the subthemes “ideal care conscience”, “presenting presence”, “looking through her window”, “healing with caring behaviors”. The main theme was reached as “caring behaviors: the focus of nursing”. Conclusion This study suggests that gynecologic oncology nurses need to adequately and efficiently improve on caring behaviors in an intense caring environment

The "Everything About the Existence" Experiences of Turkish Women With Infertility: Solicited Diaries in Qualitative Research

Background: Infertility as a gynecological illness causes many psychological problems. In Turkey, only a limited number of studies have used qualitative methods to explore the experiences of infertile women

The “Everything About the Existence” Experiences of Turkish Women With Infertility: Solicited Diaries in Qualitative Research

Background: Infertility as a gynecological illness causes many psychological problems. In Turkey, only a limited number of studies have used qualitative methods to explore the experiences of infertile women

Turkish adaptation and psychometric testing of the caring assessment tool-administration

Purpose The purpose of this study was to adapt the Caring Assessment Tool-Administration (CAT-Adm) to Turkish and to test the psychometric properties

The effect of psychoeducation on fear of childbirth and birth type: systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective Psychoeducation is an evidence-based therapeutic intervention for women that provide information, support for a better understanding and coping with fear of childbirth (FOC). Although there have been some studies examining the effects of psychoeducation on FOC and cesarean section (CS), there is no high quality evidence. This systematic review and meta-analysis study aimed to investigate the effects of psychoeducation on FOC and CS rate. Methods Literature research was performed in CINAHL, PubMed, Science Direct, OVID, Medline, Science Citation Index (Web of Science) and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials until April 2018. This study is based on the recommendations of the Cochrane guidelines. The analysis was conducted using the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis Program Version 3. Results Four randomized controlled studies and three non-randomized controlled studies were selected; six studies were combined for FOC and four studies were combined for CS rate. Meta-analysis revealed that psychoeducation is effective in reducing pregnant women's FOC (hedges’ g 0.59, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 0.46–0.72, p = .000; 931 women) and the CS rate (Odds Ratio 1.730, 95% CI 1.285–2.330, p = .000; 682 women). Conclusion This study provides sufficient evidence that psychoeducation is an effective to reduce FOC and CS rate

The precursors’s adaptation to pregnancy, prenatal attachment and maternal self-confidence

We investigated the precursors for prenatal attachment (PA), adaptation to pregnancy and maternal self-confidence, and the relationship of these variables with each other. This cross-sectional study was conducted between July and December 2020. Data were obtained using an online survey from social media groups. The mean Prenatal Self Evaluation Questionnaire scores of women had a negative and moderate correlation with mean Pharis Self-Confidence Scale (r=–0.287, p=.000) and negative and weak correlation with mean Prenatal Attachment Inventory scores (r=–0.317, p=.000). Women who conceived following assisted reproductive techniques had a higher level of readiness to give birth (17.62 ± 5.22) than women who conceived spontaneously (29.57 ± 6.15) (β=–0.285, t=–3.547, p=.002). We concluded that when women’s adaptation to pregnancy increased in the prenatal period, their PA level and self-confidence towards baby care increased. The results of this study may guide healthcare professionals in terms of improving care for women who have attachment and adaptation problems during pregnancy. Women who conceived following assisted reproductive techniques can be reassured that infertility does not have a negative impact on their readiness for birth. Healthcare professionals could ensure adaptation in women who have problems with adaptation during pregnancy by initiating interventions that support PA and increase the maternal self-confidence levels of women.Impact Statement What is already known on this subject? There were few studies examining the relationship between women’s conception style with prenatal attachment (PA), adaptation to pregnancy, and maternal self-efficacy. What do the results of this study add? In this study, it was determined that women who conceived following assisted reproductive techniques have higher levels of being ready to give birth than women who conceived spontaneously without medical assistance. Additionally, it was found that as women evaluate themselves positively in the prenatal period, their PA and maternal self-confidence level regarding baby care increased. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Since this study examines the precursors of maternal self-confidence, PA and adaptation to pregnancy in Turkish pregnant women, it was shown that studies in different cultures are needed in terms of generalisability of the results. In addition, there is a need to identify risky women who have low self-confidence in baby care during pregnancy and have attachment and adjustment problems, and to culture-specific intervention programs need to be developed and tested

A feasibility study of a psychoeducation intervention based on Human Caring Theory in nulliparous women with fear of childbirth

Objective To evaluate the effects of psychoeducation program based on the Human Caring Theory on the level of fear of childbirth (FOC) by comparing the antenatal education classes. Methods This feasibility study was conducted in a single-blinded, randomized controlled trial on 24 nulliparous women with FOC between July and October 2018. The women received five sessions of psychoeducation and four sessions of antenatal education. The primary outcome was the level of FOC in prenatal period, and the secondary outcomes were the rate of preference for vaginal birth (VB) in prenatal period, the rate of VB, and the level of FOC in postnatal period. The level of the FOC was assessed using Wijma Delivery Expectancy/Experience Questionnaire A and B. Results Although the levels of FOC of the women decreased in both groups for post-treatment, the decrease in the psychoeducation group was significantly higher compared to the antenatal education group (p = 0.022). In the postnatal period, the level of FOC of psychoeducation group was statistically lower than that of the antenatal education group (p = 0.000). Furthermore, all the women in the psychoeducation group and 58.33% of the women in the antenatal education group wanted to have a VB at the end of the program (p = 0.012). However, there was statistically no difference between the groups in terms of the birth type (p = 0.342). Conclusions There seems to be an indication that the psychoeducation program based on Human Caring Theory might have a benefit to reduce the level of FOC of women compared to the antenatal education classes