“I Asked for It”: How Women Experience Stigma in Their Transition from Being Infertile to Being Mothers of Multiples through Assisted Reproductive Technologies

Although researchers agree that infertility is a stigmatizing attribute, scholars are largely divided in their criticism of assisted reproductive technology (ART). Some criticize the increased and invasive medical interventions as disempowering women, whereas others argue that ARTs empower women by protecting their right to reproduce as they see fit. Research on the stigmatization of infertility and ART in the context of mothers of multiples is conspicuously missing from the literature a notable lacuna in knowledge given ARTs are more likely to result in multiple births. Drawing on in-depth semi-structured interviews with twenty-three mothers of multiples, we show how these women interpret the stigma of first being “infertile” to then being “artificially” fertile to becoming mothers of multiples. Interviewees reveal that despite the agential freedom they have in regard to choice in fertility treatments, they feel disempowered, even judged, when undergoing ART. Focusing on women who had twins or triplets after undergoing ART, we show how the alleged “empowerment” bestowed on women by providing the choice to use ART can transform into disempowerment

Catch 22? Disclosing assisted conception treatment at work

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore factors influencing decision-making about disclosure of Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) use in the workplace. Design: A qualitative study design was used. Thirty-one women and six men who were using or had recently used ART were recruited from British fertility networks and interviewed. Data were transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed. Findings: Two main strands were identified each encompassing two themes: i) ‘Concerns about disclosure’ covered the very personal nature of disclosing ART treatment and also career concerns and ii) ‘Motives for disclosure’ covered feeling it was necessary to disclose and also the influence of workplace relationships. Research limitations: The relatively small, self-selected sample of participants was recruited from fertility support networks, and lacked some diversity. Practical implications: Clarity about entitlements to workplace support and formal protection against discrimination, along with management training and awareness raising about ART treatment is needed to help normalise requests for support and to make decisions about disclosure within the workplace easier. Originality/ value: The study has highlighted an understudied area of research in ART populations. The data provide insight into the challenging experiences of individuals combining ART with employment and, in particular, the complexity of decisions about whether or not to disclose

Public Discourses about Teenage Pregnancy: Disruption, Restoration, and Ideology

Two recent incidents in the United States generated a wealth of public discourses about a particular reproductive health issue: adolescent childbearing. As the media, political pundits, and private citizens pondered the meaning of these events, they expressed viewpoints, explanations, and possible solutions in mass-mediated outlets. We examined the discourses communicated in such outlets to understand how public discussion of teenage pregnancy reveals ideological assumptions about reproductive health, ideal family forms, and the expected life course

Long-term safety, efficacy, and patient acceptability of the intrauterine Copper T-380A contraceptive device

The intrauterine device (IUD), primarily in the form of the copper IUD, is used by more than 150 million women around the world, making it the most widely used reversible method of contraception. With a remarkably low failure rate of less than 1 per 100 women in the first year of use, the Copper T-380A is in the top tier of contraceptives in terms of efficacy. Risks of utilization include perforation and an increased risk of infection in the first 20 days following insertion. Overall, the number of adverse events is low, making the Copper T-380A a very safe contraceptive method. The most common reasons for the discontinuation of this method are menstrual bleeding and dysmenorrhea. However, cumulative discontinuation rates of Copper T-380A are lower than that have been reported for other methods, indicating that the Copper T-380A is highly acceptable to women. After 5 years, approximately 50% of all women, who have a Copper T-380A inserted, will continue to use this highly effective contraceptive method

Protecting pregnancy at work: Normative safety measures and employees' safety strategies in reconciling work and pregnancy

Background: In Switzerland, occupational risks for pregnant workers are covered by specific maternity protection legislation (MPL); however, studies show significant shortcomings in the implementation of these policies among companies. Aims: Analyse the gaps between the provisions of Switzerland's MPL, the protective measures companies plan to take and actual protection practices. We also aim to understand how employees develop their own strategies in order to make up for the shortcomings or contradictions of companies' measures. Methods: Interviews with 46 different stakeholders from organisations in the healthcare sector and the food industry were transcribed and analysed thematically. Results: Some of the organisations used procedures apparently in line with legislation, while others planned more informal approaches to managing on a case-by-case basis. Normative safety measures within the framework of national legislation served as resources for both managers and their employees. However, implementing these measures ran up against real-world workplace constraints, which sometimes rendered them impracticable. Employees adapted some measures considered insufficient or developed their own strategies to reconcile work and pregnancy. Conclusions: Being pregnant is challenging to represent in occupational settings; it is not a disease, but it involves important physical and biopsychosocial changes, which affect women's occupational life. The multidimensional, evolving, and yet temporary nature of pregnancy represents a significant challenge to the implementation of MPL within companies. Linking the normative safety measures stipulated in the legislation with pregnant employees' needs-and their job-related knowledge and skills-could be an interesting pathway towards improving maternity protection at work

Men’s involvement in women’s abortion related care: a scoping review of evidence from low- and middle-income countries

Men’s involvement in abortion is significant, intersecting across the individual, community and macro factors that shape abortion-related care pathways. This scoping review maps the evidence from low- and middle-income countries relating to male involvement, including male abortion providers, in abortion trajectories. Five databases were searched, using search terms, to yield 7493 items published in English between 01.01.2010 and 20.12.2019. 37 items met the inclusion criteria for items relating to male involvement in women’s abortion trajectories and were synthesised using an abortion-related care-seeking framework. The majority of studies were conducted in sub-Saharan Africa and were qualitative. Evidence indicated that male involvement was significant, shaping the ability for a woman or girl to disclose her pregnancy or abortion decision. Men as partners were particularly influential, controlling resources necessary for abortion access and providing or withdrawing support for abortions. Denial or rejection of paternity was a critical juncture in many women’s abortion trajectories. Men’s involvement in abortion trajectories can be both direct and indirect. Contextual realities can make involving men in abortions a necessity, rather than a choice. The impact of male (lack of) involvement undermines the autonomy of a woman or girl to seek an abortion and shapes the conditions under which abortion-seekers are able to access care. This scoping review demonstrates the need for better understanding of the mechanisms, causes and intensions behind male involvement, centring the abortion seeker within this

Women\u27s social and emotional experiences with abortion

This mixed methods exploratory study piloted a non-validated online qualitative survey instrument to assess women\u27s social and emotional experiences with abortion stigma from women recruited on college campuses in New England. Abortion stigma is defined as prejudices and discrimination directed at women who have abortions, and people and institutions that support women who have abortions. Thirty-nine women took an online survey instrument that asked respondents to: provide their reproductive health histories; report when they first learned of abortion; give information regarding their community\u27s attitudes about abortion; state their feelings about abortion. Eight women, sampled from the qualitative survey pool, participated in a 30 to 45 minute in-depth telephone interview. Qualitative participants engaged in a dialogue about the survey, their experiences with abortion, and their community\u27s attitudes about abortion. The researcher hypothesized that women who had one or more abortions would perceive and experience more abortion stigma, and all women, regardless of their reproductive health histories, would observe and have experiences with abortion stigma. The findings indicate that the first hypothesis was the reversed; women who had one or more abortions did not experience or perceive abortion stigma. Findings also suggest that there is a significant relationship between believing that abortion stigma affects women, and strongly identifying as a woman. Therefore, the second hypothesis was confirmed for the participants in this study. This finding has important implications for clinical social work practice, policy, and education, as social workers have an influential role in challenging stereotypes

\u27I Try To Take the Whole Family Thing Out of the Picture\u27: How Professionals Navigate Motherhood Bias at Work

This research aims to improve our understanding of professional mothers and the strategies they develop to navigate bias and sustain their careers. Previous research has shown that women with children face a motherhood bias that results in negative career outcomes such as reduced wages, fewer high-quality assignments, and decreased chances for promotion and leadership opportunities. This research investigates how professional mothers respond to that bias by analyzing interviews with forty-seven women in the field of law about their professional experiences: their experiences before and after having children; the challenges they face navigating their careers and families; and the strategies they’ve developed to maintain their careers and home lives. We find that the strategies mothers develop fit into two categories. Category one involves downplaying their status as mothers in hopes of reducing negative career consequences. Category two involves downshifting their careers in order to maximize flexibility in their work and at home. Each strategy relies on specific resources and results in tradeoffs of career advancement, career rewards, and well-being. The findings help us understand how workplace policies and practices can best support professional mothers

The success rate of intrauterine insemination in sperm preparation swim-up method at room temperature compared to the incubator temperature

HIGHLIGHTS • There were no significant differences in TMSC, sperm motility, sperm morphology, and DFI in sperm preparation using the swim-up method at 27°C and 37°C. However, this study provided an overview of the average improvement of DFI at 27°C compared to 37°C. • There was no significant difference in the pregnancy rate of IUI in sperm preparation using the swim-up method at 27°C and 37°C.   ABSTRACT Objective: This study aimed to determine the effect of temperature during sperm preparation on total sperm motile count (TMSC), sperm motility, sperm morphology, DNA fragmentation index (DFI), and pregnancy rate. Materials and Methods: A quasi-experimental laboratory study with pre- and post-test control group was conducted at Sekar Fertility Clinic, Dr. Moewardi General Hospital, Surakarta, Indonesia. A total of 20 sperm samples from infertile patients were prepared using the swim-up method at 27°C (group 1) and 37°C (group 2). TMSC, motility, morphology, and DFI examinations were performed. In addition, IUI was performed to confirm pregnancy rate. Sperm DNA fragmentation was determined using Sperm Chromatin Dispersion/SpermFunc DNAf test. Sperm DNA fragmentation was characterized by a halo <30% of the volume of the sperm head. Results: Group 1 had mean TMSC of 13.77 ± 9.30, while group 2 had 14.82 ± 8.82; p=0.218. Group 1 had a motility value 82.25+12.77 and group 2 had 82.55 ± 11.69; p=0.968. The morphological value for group 1 was 11.25 ± 5.15 and group 2 was 11.6 ± 5.34; p=0.626. The mean DFI for group 1 was 17.79 ± 10.88 and group 2 was 18.18 ± 12.95; p=0.765. Pregnancy rate in group 1 was 10% and group 2 was 20%; p=1.000. Conclusion: There were no significant differences in TMSC, sperm motility, sperm morphology, DFI, and pregnancy rate in sperm preparation using the swim-up method at 27°C and 37°C