Coping and resilience among women undergoing assisted reproductive therapies

This study aimed to provide a theoretical model of resilience among women undergoing fertility treatments, who experience repeated unsuccessful conception attempts.
A qualitative study using a Grounded Theory approach was used and women living in the UK who self-identified as having fertility difficulties were recruited online. Eleven women aged between 24 and 41 years, undergoing various assisted reproductive treatments, took part in individual semi-structured interviews around their experiences of living through unsuccessful fertility treatment attempts. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and subsequently analysed using the Grounded Theory methodology.
Three core categories were identified; “Appraisal”; “Stepping away from treatment” and “Building self-up for next attempt”. Participants demonstrated their resilience by taking steps to build up their resources in preparation for next conception attempts, by nurturing their strength and taking control of their fertility experience. Those who had depleted their resources through the cycle of attempting pregnancy had taken a step back from the treatment cycle to reconnect with themselves, before attempting conception again.
The study concludes that women undergoing fertility treatment demonstrate their resilience through a variety of actions that enable them to continue to pursue their pregnancy goal. Clinical staff should be mindful of their client’s need to withdraw from the treatment cycle and offer support to enable women to do this. Further research should aim to explore resilience among women from diverse ethnic backgrounds.