| Learning Objective #1: Describe women's experiences in making the decision to undergo or forego multifetal reduction | |||
| Learning Objective #2: Identify three nursing interventions to support women who are diagnosed with higher-order multiple pregnancies |
Design: Phenomenological
Sample: Eight women who had conceived higher-order multiple (HOM’s) pregnancies as a result of infertility treatments.
Methods: Data was collected and analyzed using Van Manen’s approach (1990).
Findings: Four themes emerged from the data: “You Feel Incomplete:” where the participants described a desperate desire to conceive; “They’re Little People:” the experience of seeing their fetuses on ultrasound; “My God, How Can I Do This?” making the MFPR decision; and “Everything Came With a Price:” the experience of living with the decision.
The participants described an overwhelming desire to conceive. Generally, this led the participants to view conceiving multiples positively. When ultrasonographic examinations revealed the presence of (HOM’s) the participants were struck by the development of the fetuses. Whether they reduced or not, participants strongly believed that these were already their children. Regarding MFR, the participants rejected the idea immediately, became resigned to the necessity of the procedure, or struggled mightily with the issue. Those who reduced described feelings of deep sadness and isolation. Those who declined to reduce were pleased with their decisions, but were haunted by the knowledge of which of their children would have been lost.
Conclusions: MFPR decisions were inextricably linked to infertility treatment decisions. There were enduring effects on the women, regardless of the choice that they made. There was a lasting concern over the cost that their children had to pay, or potentially could have paid, as a result of their pursuit of pregnancy.
Implications: Women undergoing infertility treatment may have difficulty internalizing their risk of conceiving HOM’s, leading them to make treatment choices that place them at higher risk to conceive multiples. Delivering and rearing children following MFR is often a bittersweet experience for women.
Back to Maternity Nursing
Back to 15th International Nursing Research Congress
Sigma Theta Tau International
July 22-24, 2004