Women's views on fertility and conception in five countries

Abstract

ObjectiveDemographic trends such as later motherhood indicate that the ways women consider fertility and becoming pregnant may also be changing. This study examined women's views and understanding of fertility and conception in five countries.DesignIn 2011 one to one interviews were conducted with women in Russia, USA, Brazil, Germany and Italy. 24 interviews were conducted per country.Materials and MethodsWomen were recruited via local agencies into the following groups; A: 23-30 or 31-40 years old B: have children already or no children C: seeking to become pregnant now or wish to become pregnant in the future, to provide 8 combinations. Approximately 1/3 of women recruited had or were currently having difficulty conceiving. A pre-set 90 min. interview plan was followed.ResultsFor many women in all countries, having a child is seen as the essence of who they are and what it means to be a woman. Women in Germany and US often carefully plan pregnancy to suit their life plans. However, in Brazil, Italy and to some extent Russia, having a child is seen as a natural stage that is not actively planned and these countries also have very low awareness of methods to assist with conception. There were country specific differences in where women sought information. In Brazil women typically consult family and friends, whereas in the US healthcare professional advice is sought much earlier. German women, followed by US women are aware of the details of female fertility, but in other countries knowledge is poor and information is only sought if there are problems conceiving, with conception folklore still common, especially in Russia.ConclusionHaving a child is considered a central tenet of being a woman in these five countries. Women in Germany and the US have higher awareness of female fertility and tend to actively plan pregnancy, whereas in the other countries knowledge is lacking and conception is viewed as a natural event only requiring medical advice if infertility is suspected. ObjectiveDemographic trends such as later motherhood indicate that the ways women consider fertility and becoming pregnant may also be changing. This study examined women's views and understanding of fertility and conception in five countries. Demographic trends such as later motherhood indicate that the ways women consider fertility and becoming pregnant may also be changing. This study examined women's views and understanding of fertility and conception in five countries. DesignIn 2011 one to one interviews were conducted with women in Russia, USA, Brazil, Germany and Italy. 24 interviews were conducted per country. In 2011 one to one interviews were conducted with women in Russia, USA, Brazil, Germany and Italy. 24 interviews were conducted per country. Materials and MethodsWomen were recruited via local agencies into the following groups; A: 23-30 or 31-40 years old B: have children already or no children C: seeking to become pregnant now or wish to become pregnant in the future, to provide 8 combinations. Approximately 1/3 of women recruited had or were currently having difficulty conceiving. A pre-set 90 min. interview plan was followed. Women were recruited via local agencies into the following groups; A: 23-30 or 31-40 years old B: have children already or no children C: seeking to become pregnant now or wish to become pregnant in the future, to provide 8 combinations. Approximately 1/3 of women recruited had or were currently having difficulty conceiving. A pre-set 90 min. interview plan was followed. ResultsFor many women in all countries, having a child is seen as the essence of who they are and what it means to be a woman. Women in Germany and US often carefully plan pregnancy to suit their life plans. However, in Brazil, Italy and to some extent Russia, having a child is seen as a natural stage that is not actively planned and these countries also have very low awareness of methods to assist with conception. There were country specific differences in where women sought information. In Brazil women typically consult family and friends, whereas in the US healthcare professional advice is sought much earlier. German women, followed by US women are aware of the details of female fertility, but in other countries knowledge is poor and information is only sought if there are problems conceiving, with conception folklore still common, especially in Russia. For many women in all countries, having a child is seen as the essence of who they are and what it means to be a woman. Women in Germany and US often carefully plan pregnancy to suit their life plans. However, in Brazil, Italy and to some extent Russia, having a child is seen as a natural stage that is not actively planned and these countries also have very low awareness of methods to assist with conception. There were country specific differences in where women sought information. In Brazil women typically consult family and friends, whereas in the US healthcare professional advice is sought much earlier. German women, followed by US women are aware of the details of female fertility, but in other countries knowledge is poor and information is only sought if there are problems conceiving, with conception folklore still common, especially in Russia. ConclusionHaving a child is considered a central tenet of being a woman in these five countries. Women in Germany and the US have higher awareness of female fertility and tend to actively plan pregnancy, whereas in the other countries knowledge is lacking and conception is viewed as a natural event only requiring medical advice if infertility is suspected. Having a child is considered a central tenet of being a woman in these five countries. Women in Germany and the US have higher awareness of female fertility and tend to actively plan pregnancy, whereas in the other countries knowledge is lacking and conception is viewed as a natural event only requiring medical advice if infertility is suspected.