The lived experience of couples who have undergone successful IVF : implications for counselling

Abstract

Background: Undergoing IVF is associated with both a physical and emotional burden such as the experiencing of stigma, loss of identity, stress, a sense of failure and pain. Moreover, although the lived experiences of couples varies by number of attempts at IVF and demographic variables such as maternal age, the extant literature often explores the experiences of such couples grouped collectively together, as persons undergoing IVF. This scenario provides challenges in generating information that does justice to the experience of these couples and that can prove useful to counsellors providing support to such individuals. Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore the lived experiences of couples who bore a child following their second attempt of IVF. The objectives of this study were to gain awareness on the impact of IVF on the couples and whether it has an impact on their interactions with the child; to identify supportive relationships that impact on their experience and to explore coping strategies that were adopted. Design: A qualitative phenomenological study following the principles of Interpretative phenomenological Analysis. Participants: Six adults who underwent a second attempt of IVF three years ago and now have a two year old child. Participants were aged 35 years and over. Methods: Purposive sampling was used to recruit the participants. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 3 couples and audio recorded. The data was transcribed verbatim and analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Results: Three super-ordinate themes: ‘The beginning and continuation of a Saga’, ‘Striving to Cope’ and ‘Supportive Relationships’ were extracted. Participants emphasized various infertility challenges that included the physical impact of undergoing the treatment, a change in identity, an emotional struggle, the financial costs and social isolation. Infertility was attributed to structural, physiological, stress and age related factors (in the female). Support from the spouse (for female participants) and from counselors was described as greatly beneficial, however support from family and friends was not always helpful. Participants strived to cope by maintaining a protective stance; searching for signs that confirm life; avoidance; keeping a memory alive and searching for information. Conclusion: The lived experience of miscarriage had a profound emotional and physical impact on the couples. Advancing maternal age also influenced the couples experience, as infertility was attributed to the female’s age. Although the time left to procreate was perceived as running out, none of the participants expressed willingness to attempt IVF a third time. Coping strategies at times differed by gender leading to conflict between the couple. Support from professionals and spouses were appreciated however at times family and friends were perceived as lacking in empathy, due to comments made and excessive questioning.