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Hum. Reprod. Advance Access published online on April 16, 2009
Human Reproduction, doi:10.1093/humrep/dep091
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© The Author 2009. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oxfordjournals.org

Life after unsuccessful IVF treatment in an assisted reproduction unit: a qualitative analysis of gains through loss among Chinese persons in Hong Kong

Geok Ling Lee1,5, W.H. Hui Choi2, Celia H.Y. Chan3, Cecilia L.W. Chan1,3 and Ernest H.Y. Ng4

1 Department of Social Work and Social Administration, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong 2 Department of Nursing Studies, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong 3 Centre on Behavioral Health, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong 4 Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong

5 Correspondence address. Centre on Behavioral Health, G/F., The University of Hong Kong, Pauline Chan Building, 10 Sassoon Road, Pokfulam, Hong Kong. E-mail: gllee{at}hkusua.hku.hk

BACKGROUND: Previous studies examining experiences of infertility focused mainly on the aspect of loss but neglected the possible gains realized through surviving the experience of infertility. The success rate of IVF remains relatively low, and we used the strengths perspective to examine adjustment after unsuccessful treatment. This study aims to provide an in-depth description of the gains perceived by Chinese men and women and how they re-constructed their lives after unsuccessful IVF treatment.

METHODS: Four couples and another six women who experienced unsuccessful IVF treatment were recruited from an assisted reproduction clinic. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, using a grounded theory constructivist approach.

RESULTS: Of the 10 women and 4 men interviewed, 9 remained childless, 3 had adopted a child and 2 had conceived naturally. They reported gains on a personal level, interpersonal level and transpersonal level through surviving the experience of infertility. All, regardless of the eventual outcome, reported at least one form of personal gain: in personality or knowledge gain. Interpersonal gains were perceived in relationships with their spouses, children, parents, friends, colleagues and fellow IVF service users. More than half of them reported spiritual growth and a change in identity through integrating their experiences and offering help to others.

CONCLUSION: Despite the small sample size, this study makes a significant contribution by suggesting that while negative feelings provoked by the failure to conceive should be acknowledged, people in this situation should also be enabled to consolidate their negative experiences of IVF constructively, helping them to move on with their lives.

Key words: infertility/IVF/growth/meaning making/counselling

Submitted on November 1, 2008; resubmitted on March 18, 2009; accepted on March 24, 2009.


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