Abstract
ObjectiveTo explore how women who experienced infertility and underwent fertility treatments constructed maternal identities after they successfully gave birth. DesignNarrative qualitative study. SettingFinland, Scandinavia. ParticipantsTwenty-six previously infertile Finnish women who later conceived were recruited via social media, health clinics, and relevant informal support organizations. MethodsNarrative analysis was used to process written accounts and individual episodic interviews with each of the 26 women. ResultsFour different identity stories emerged from the data: Fractured Maternity, Pursuing Maternity, Learning Maternity, and Discovering Maternity. Infertility, its treatment, and childbirth were narrated as turning points in the participants’ life courses, but the significance of these turning points for maternal identity varied across the four stories. ConclusionThese findings have important implications for nursing practice. Health care professionals should be aware of the effects of previous long-standing infertility on the subsequent experience of motherhood so they can provide women with understanding, sufficient support, and appropriate interventions throughout the transition to motherhood.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic & Neonatal Nursing
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
