In the theoretical introduction, I first explained the concept of infertility and presented the statistical frequency of infertility. I then went on to define the phenomenon of delayed motherhood and then discussed in more detail the consequences and positive aspects of delayed motherhood for women. I also emphasised the importance of fertility and the ability to give birth. I also touched on parenthood and the psychological benefits and challenges that it brings. Finally, I defined the phases of coping with infertility, described the situation of infertility treatment in Slovenia and emphasised the importance of psychosocial support and counselling in this process.
In the empirical part, I conducted 8 interviews with women who have experienced infertility treatment. I qualitatively analysed the interviews to understand how women decide to seek medical help and how they experience the diagnosis of infertility. I was also interested in social pressures and expectations and how women experience these. I wanted to find out how women benefit from psychosocial support and what kind of support is useful to women at that time and finally how women make the decision about whether to end treatment and how they think about alternative paths to parenthood.
I have found that women gradually become aware of the difficulties of conceiving and decide to seek medical treatment for infertility depending on the length of time they have been trying to conceive without protection, pre-existing gynaecological problems or family medical history. The time span between becoming aware of the problem and seeing a doctor varies. After the diagnosis of infertility, women express doubts and fears about the success of treatment or simply accept the diagnosis. Women feel social pressure and other people's expectations of their motherhood, which they may experience as unpleasant. Women feel a lack of understanding from those around them as they minimise their infertility problems. There is also prejudice against IVF (In vitro fertilisation). Women experiencing infertility treatment face various challenges, including emotional distress such as waiting for the results of IVF treatments, dealing with disappointments, fear of treatment failures, feelings of discomfort, anger and envy when observing other mothers and pregnant women, dealing with feelings of guilt and worthlessness. Psychosocial support in clinics is important, but there is a need for greater awareness and offer of this support, and this support needs be long term. Women often cite the use of procedures covered by insurance as a criterion for the completion of treatment. When considering alternative approaches to parenthood, there are different levels of acceptance among women. However, exploring options and planning alternative scenarios in case the desire to have a biological child does not come true is an important support for women.
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