Supporting Childbearing Families Through Infertility.

Bell, Kathleen M.

Infertility is a common problem in the United States. A unique cohort in the childbearing population, it is vitally important that doctors, nurses, midwives and childbirth educators be aware of and understand the challenges and trials associated with assisted reproductive technology, or ART. As couples struggling with infertility begin to experience the emotional, physical, psychological and financial burdens of ART, they will often turn to their providers for empathy, counseling and support. By understanding the struggles and lived experience of women and couples experiencing infertility, the provider may tailor his or her approach to better meet these distinctive needs so that the pregnancy and birth experience of these women is healing, transformative and uplifting.

MENTAL health; ANXIETY; HUMAN reproductive technology; INFERTILITY; PATIENT-professional relations; SOCIAL support

International Journal of Childbirth Education, 2013, Vol 28, Issue 3, p48

0887-8625

Academic Journal