Building Social Support: Disclosure and Communication Processes Between IVF Patients and Peers in Canada

Abstract

Infertility, and the choice to attempt assisted reproductive technology, is the source of significant stress for patients pursuing in vitro fertilization (IVF), and this compels many to identify and leverage psychosocial supports. Because the quality of social support individuals receive depends on the nature of the communication they share with the receiver, it is important to consider how disclosure builds social support. We explored the IVF patient and peer communication process and the disclosure of fertility-related and non-fertility-related information by conducting 23 interviews with first-time and recurring IVF patients. Results show that IVF patients share natural, immediate, and backward disclosure transitions; share a mutual understanding of engagement boundaries; have a propensity for reciprocal sharing; and prefer digital communication for their interactions. While participants reported disclosing a wide range of aspects of their condition and its treatment, such as treatment protocol, diagnosis/IVF attempts, medication and injections, financial questions, marital adjustment, family and social acceptance, emotional adjustment, and treatment milestones, they also reported a tendency to distance themselves during the post–embryo transfer waiting period and avoided sharing other aspects of their lives. Future support strategies should frame patient–peer support as a pragmatic channel that can adapt depending on disclosure and communication preferences of patients.