Investigation of the Relationship Between Spiritual Well-Being, Prenatal Stress and Attachment Level of Turkish Women Conceiving Spontaneously or with Assisted Reproductive Techniques

The aim of the study is to examine the relationship between spiritual well-being, prenatal stress and attachment level of Turkish women conceiving spontaneously or with assisted reproductive techniques (ART). The comparative descriptive study type was conducted between November 2021 and June 2022 with 202 pregnant women, including 87 women conceiving with ART and 115 women conceiving spontaneously, who applied for routine prenatal care checkup in a state hospital in the west of Turkey. Both groups have a high level of spiritual well-being. Pregnant women in the ART group experience higher prenatal distress (9.6% for spontaneous, 12.6% for ART, p = 0.487) and low level of attachment (69.72 ± 7.98 for spontaneous, 66.24 ± 8.88 for ART, p = 0.006) compared to the other group. Additionally, as insufficient partner involvement in the prenatal process increases in pregnant women in both groups, prenatal attachment decreases. It is extremely important that midwives and nurses evaluate the spiritual well-being of pregnant women and provide holistic care in line with their spiritual needs.

The precursors's adaptation to pregnancy, prenatal attachment and maternal self-confidence

We investigated the precursors for prenatal attachment (PA), adaptation to pregnancy and maternal self-confidence, and the relationship of these variables with each other. This cross-sectional study was conducted between July and December 2020. Data were obtained using an online survey from social media groups. The mean Prenatal Self Evaluation Questionnaire scores of women had a negative and moderate correlation with mean Pharis Self-Confidence Scale (r=-0.287, p=.000) and negative and weak correlation with mean Prenatal Attachment Inventory scores (r=-0.317, p=.000). Women who conceived following assisted reproductive techniques had a higher level of readiness to give birth (17.62 ± 5.22) than women who conceived spontaneously (29.57 ± 6.15) (β=-0.285, t=-3.547, p=.002). We concluded that when women's adaptation to pregnancy increased in the prenatal period, their PA level and self-confidence towards baby care increased. The results of this study may guide healthcare professionals in terms of improving care for women who have attachment and adaptation problems during pregnancy. Women who conceived following assisted reproductive techniques can be reassured that infertility does not have a negative impact on their readiness for birth. Healthcare professionals could ensure adaptation in women who have problems with adaptation during pregnancy by initiating interventions that support PA and increase the maternal self-confidence levels of women.Impact StatementWhat is already known on this subject? There were few studies examining the relationship between women's conception style with prenatal attachment (PA), adaptation to pregnancy, and maternal self-efficacy.What do the results of this study add? In this study, it was determined that women who conceived following assisted reproductive techniques have higher levels of being ready to give birth than women who conceived spontaneously without medical assistance. Additionally, it was found that as women evaluate themselves positively in the prenatal period, their PA and maternal self-confidence level regarding baby care increased.What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Since this study examines the precursors of maternal self-confidence, PA and adaptation to pregnancy in Turkish pregnant women, it was shown that studies in different cultures are needed in terms of generalisability of the results. In addition, there is a need to identify risky women who have low self-confidence in baby care during pregnancy and have attachment and adjustment problems, and to culture-specific intervention programs need to be developed and tested.

Mental Health States of Housewives: an Evaluation in Terms of Self-perception and Codependency

Housewives are individuals who assume the role of caregiver in the family in almost every society and experience serious psychological difficulties in line with this role. These psychological difficulties may develop due to the pathological relationships that women have, especially with their family members. In this context, the study aims to examine the mental health states of housewives within the framework of codependence and self-perceptions. This study, which was planned as descriptive, relational, and cross-sectional, by online questionnaire method, consists of 371 housewives. Personal information form, Codependency Assessment Tool (CODAT), social comparison scale (SCS), and the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised (SCL-90-R) were used to collect data. In the analysis of the research, a structural equation model was established by using SPSS 25 and AMOS 23 package programs. It was found that the mean age of the housewives included in the study was 35.19 ± 9.85 and 35.5% of the participants were university graduates, 13.2% lived in an extended family, 13.7% had a poor relationship with their spouse, and 51.5% were only responsible for housework. Besides, according to the results of the study, it was found that the total mean score of SCS was 75.16 ± 21.73, SCL-90-R was 1.96 ± 0.95, and CODAT was 76.16 ± 17.75. In the case of analysis, there was strong correlation between the mental status of housewives and both their codependency levels and their self-perceptions. It has been determined that increased levels of codependency and negative self-perception of housewives increase the psychological symptoms experienced.

Couples' experiences of pregnancy resulting from assisted reproductive technologies: A qualitative meta-synthesis

Background

Across the world, a growing number of couples are directly or indirectly affected by infertility. Advances in assisted reproductive technologies are now enabling many of them to plan to have a child. As pregnancies resulting from assisted reproductive technologies are being experienced by a growing number of couples, it is important to better understand their experiences and the difficulties they encounter during the prenatal period.

Objective

This literature review aims to synthesize the qualitative results of primary studies in order to better understand couples' experiences of pregnancy resulting from assisted reproductive technologies, after having experienced infertility.

Design

A meta-synthesis was conducted in accordance with the guidelines put forth by Sandelowski and Barroso in order to carry out an integrative analysis of the knowledge resulting from qualitative studies on this phenomenon.

Data sources

The literature search was carried out between October and November 2020. Seven electronic databases were searched (CINAHL, Medline, PsycNet, SCOPUS, ScienceDirect, CAIRN, ERUDIT) and 14 eligible articles were selected.

Review methods

The data from the "results" and "findings" sections of each of the articles were synthesized through thematic analysis to examine and summarize the topics found in the articles selected and develop the main themes.

Results

The thematic analysis is structured around four themes to describe and interpret different aspects of the experience of pregnancy resulting from ART, namely: 1) travelling a long and complex journey; 2) moving on with paradoxical emotions; 3) struggling with an emerging identity; and 4) reorganizing relationships. These results shed light on the complex issues faced by couples previously affected by infertility during a pregnancy resulting from assisted reproductive technologies.

Conclusion

The journey of a pregnancy resulting from assisted reproductive technologies must be recognized in order to offer support in line with the challenges faced by couples. This research will allow for a deeper understanding of women's experience, as well as that of their partner's, in a more specific way, and to better understand the impact on family and loved ones.

Experiences of women undergoing infertility treatment from embryo transfer until pregnancy test and their conceptualization of their embryo

AIM

This study aims to explore women's experiences with embryo transfer (ET) until pregnancy test and their conceptualization of their embryo.

METHOD

The sample of this descriptive phenomenology study consists of 17 women with ET. The data were collected through in-depth interviews. The thematic analysis developed by Braun and Clarke was used for data analysis.

RESULTS

Analysis of the interviews led to the emergence of five themes and 14 sub-themes. The theme "pregnancy in biological terms" has two sub-themes: "considering herself pregnant" and "the first moment with the baby". The theme "not an embryo, my child" has three sub-themes: "world of hope", " unnatural but normal" and "attachment to embryo". The theme "daily life after ET" has three sub-themes: "living life in the usual way", "process of self-listening", and "the negative effects of drugs on the body". The theme "seeking ways to ensure fertility" has four sub-themes: "complete bed rest", "the search for information: the internet", "practice an infertility diet" and "spiritual support with prayer". Finally, the theme "caring after the transfer" has two sub-themes: "need more information" and "unmet women-oriented care".

CONCLUSION

In this study, it was determined that women had intense physical and emotional experiences during the waiting period after ET and their daily lives were affected. It was also understood that the embryo means "baby/child/son/daughter" to them and that they establish a close bond with their embryos. Women's needs are not sufficiently known until post-ET pregnancy testing. Explaining the experiences of women after IVF-ET and the meanings of their embryo will help determine the issues they need in holistic care.

Professional women and maternity transition: Guidelines for maternity coaching in organisations

Orientation and research purpose: There is a need to explore the role of maternity coaching in supporting and retaining professional women in South African organisations. Therefore, this study investigated the experiences of professional women during their maternity transition into working mothers and explored how maternity coaching can be used as a strategic intervention to support these women.Research design, approach and methodology: A qualitative inductive methodological approach was followed to gain an in-depth understanding of maternity coaching. The research strategy was cross-sectional and multi-perspective, consisting of 13 participants from 4 professional groups.Main findings: The findings emphasise that maternity coaching can play a positive role in assisting both working women and organisations to successfully navigate the maternity transition phase. Through the findings, it was established why maternity coaching is needed as a mechanism of support, how maternity coaching should be implemented and what should be included in the coaching conversations.Practical managerial implications: This article provides a Maternity Transition Coaching Model with guidelines and recommendations for different professional groups in any organisation where maternity transition is experienced. The implications of this study are how maternity coaching can be implemented as a tool in dealing with retention of professional women during maternity transition and to increase gender diversity at the senior organisational level.Contribution: The body of knowledge contributes to understanding the role of maternity coaching as an emerging form of transition coaching in organisations. A Maternity Transition Coaching model was designed that is complemented by guidelines for implementing a maternity coaching programme that can be utilised by human resources personnel, senior management and coaches who are exposed to the adverse consequences of senior women leaving the organisations because of the challenges they face during maternity transition.

An Epistemological Perspective of Integrated Multidisciplinary Treatment When Dealing With Infertile Women With a Parenthood Goal: The Importance of Matterpsychic Perspective

This article proposes a multidisciplinary work perspective on couples who undergo assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatments, with particular attention paid to the treatment of women. The epistemological references underlying a vision of infertility and sterility that respect the psyche–soma unity of the person are illustrated: the biopsychosocial model and the psychoneuroimmunology and psychosomatic contemporary models of health and illness. Based on clinical experience in a private and institutional setting, different steps in the course of treatment are described with the related areas of psychological work: from the search for pregnancy to the choice of adhering to an ART treatment, to conception, up to delivery and beyond. The implications of the work are targeted at a better qualification of psychological interventions in this specific multidisciplinary area.